REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR PUBLIC ARTIST ROSTER

METROPOLITAN AIRPORTS COMMISSION

MINNEAPOLIS-SAINT PAUL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

INTRODUCTION

The Arts@MSP Program, a partnership between the Airport Foundation MSP (Foundation) and the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), is creating an Artist Roster of emerging, mid-career and established artists who will be prequalified for future public art opportunities at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP). This roster will be one method of selecting artists to develop temporary, permanent, free-standing, or site-integrated artwork of various complexities, forms, and sizes, indoors and outdoors, at MSP Terminals 1 and 2. To be eligible to apply, applicants must be practicing professional artists or artist teams residing in the United States.


BACKGROUND

The Metropolitan Airports Commission, owner and operator of MSP, is in the midst of a multi-year renovation project that when completed, will make the facility more light-filled, efficient, and spacious, and ensure it can accommodate the growing number of travelers expected to visit MSP in the years ahead. The Arts@MSP program commissions a variety of public artworks in collaboration with several airport departments engaged in capital construction projects. This prequalified Artist Roster will streamline the selection process and will be used when appropriate. In addition to using the roster, Arts@MSP will continue to issue open and invitational calls for artists.

How will the roster be used?

The Artist Roster will be used as a prequalified pool to select an artist when the project requirements make it useful: an expedited selection process, need for a specific skill set, or a curated opportunity. Selection of an artist from the roster will be based on the appropriateness of the artist’s media, experience, availability, and alignment with the requirements of a specific project. We may occasionally ask for roster artists to provide a statement of interest for specific projects.

There is no guarantee that artists on this roster will receive a commission.

When select public art commissions become available, Arts@MSP staff will present artists’ qualifications to a stakeholder-based selection panel that will select candidates to interview or to commission for a proposal. In some cases, Arts@MSP staff will contact roster artists for a project prior to being presented to a stakeholder-based selection panel. The selected artist will be commissioned for the project based on the interview or proposal and references.

Eligibility for other calls for artists?

Artists who are prequalified for the roster may apply to open calls issued by Arts@MSP if they meet eligibility requirements. Artists included in the Artist Roster must apply separately to additional open calls issued by Arts@MSP if they wish to be considered. Once an artist has been selected from the roster for a project, they are not eligible for additional roster projects but may continue to apply to open calls or other rosters that Arts@MSP may develop. 

PUBLIC ART GOALS

The Arts@MSP program works to fulfill the mission and goals of the MSP Arts and Culture Master Plan to enhance MSP Airport's image, enrich the public's experience, and promote a sense of place through arts and culture with each work of public art that it commissions. For this public art project, the MSP Arts and Culture Steering Committee has set the following goals:

• Provide a modern, timeless, and inspiring design that encourages guests to explore the cultural context and natural environment of Minnesota and the Upper Midwest region;
• Improve the physical and psychological qualities of MSP, making the assigned space warm and inviting; and
• Make MSP easily identifiable, prioritize guest comfort, and add to the quality of the guest’s MSP airport experience.

SCOPE OF WORK

The Artist Roster will be a juried pool of prequalified emerging, mid-career, and established artists who can create artwork for various settings at MSP. Arts@MSP will use the roster as a resource for stakeholder-based selection panels as they identify artists to create artwork for projects throughout the airport. Project deliverables and expectations will vary depending on the complexity of the project, but will generally include the following:

• Provide design for the assigned project. If designing for multiple sites, the designs should relate to one another so that the work can be recognized as a pair, and as the work of the artist.
• Supervise the work of any and all temporary laborers required to complete the design, fabrication, and installation of the artwork. If the artist’s contract includes fabrication and installation, they may complete the project, or they may hire a fabricator to complete the project under their supervision.
• Perform all services and furnish all supplies, materials, and/or equipment necessary for the fabrication and installation of the approved design, in accordance with the mutually agreed-upon project schedule. Acceptable materials will be durable, easy to clean, and will conform to building code and ADA requirements.
• Provide a vectorized, high-resolution graphic file of the artwork and a text file that includes a brief description of the artwork, the artist’s name, the title of the artwork, and the year of installation.
• Furnish maintenance and conservation instructions for the completed artwork. Artwork should be fabricated from uniform materials to reduce maintenance and repair costs and incorporate sustainable practices where appropriate. Sharp, protruding edges and corners are not permitted.
• Work cooperatively and maintain effective communication with all parties involved in the project.
• Attend all necessary design, construction, and installation coordination meetings in person or via conference call as agreed upon in advance.
• Attend a dedication event and other community events as requested by Arts@MSP.

On occasion, Arts@MSP may pair artists with fabricators. In some instances, the General Contractor of each project may be responsible for overseeing the installation of the artwork, including the fabrication and installation of the didactic plaque.


ELIGIBILITY

This call is open to professional artists residing in the United States. Artists who apply as a team may not also apply as individual artists.

The Arts@MSP program encourages diversity in its collection. Artists whose work is well represented in MSP’s collection are eligible to apply, but the selection panel will consider artistic diversity as one factor in the selection process. Artists must be at least 18 years of age to apply. Students are not eligible to apply. Regional talent is preferred. 

BUDGET

Project budgets for roster-based selections will vary, depending upon project complexity. Contract awards above $175,000 are subject to the approval of the MAC board of directors. The budget includes all costs of designing, fabricating, and installing the artwork, including but not limited to all design fees, fabrication and materials costs, professional fees, travel, insurance, overhead, design, fabrication, site work, shipping, and installation costs.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Applications will be accepted at any time, and reviews are anticipated to be conducted biannually in August and February. The Foundation/MAC will use the roster to select artists for certain projects but may continue to issue other open calls or artist rosters. Arts@MSP may at any point decide to continue using the roster as it stands, reissue a new roster, or terminate the roster.  

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Application requirements are listed below. PLEASE DO NOT SEND SPECIFIC PROPOSALS AT THIS TIME.

1. Artist Statement:  A brief statement about your experience creating temporary, permanent, free-standing, or site-integrated artwork in any three-dimensional or two-dimensional media that could be replicated in durable materials (consisting of glass or ceramic tiles or other appropriate materials). Please include links to any websites that feature your work.
2. Résumé or Artist Bio:  Provide an artist bio/résumé that describes your art background. Please limit to 1-2 pages highlighting your most recent and relevant experience.
3. Work Samples:  10-15 images of previously completed projects that show your experience with art projects. Artwork with sound or motion may also be submitted. We encourage applicants to select images that best express their artistic voice and technical expertise.
4. Image List:  A corresponding image list with the title, medium, dimensions, brief description, location, date of work, commissioning entity, and budget. If you completed a project as a team member, the image identification should indicate your role for each image submitted. Be sure the title of the description matches the title of each work sample.
5. Professional References:  Provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Include a name, email address, and phone number, along with a brief statement about your working relationship to the reference. Written letters of recommendation may be requested during the application process.
6. Primary and Secondary Medium:  What are your primary and secondary mediums? Choose from the lists provided.
7. Career Stage:  What is the career stage, as defined in this RFQ, that best defines your art practice? Choose from emerging, mid-career, and established.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Artists will be selected for prequalification based on the following criteria:

1. Strength of past artworks, in a variety of expressions and media;
2. Experience working in private and/or public settings;
3. Experience fabricating and installing temporary or permanent artwork;
4. Ability to complete a project on time and on budget; and
5. Professional references.

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection for the Artist Roster will be conducted by a Visual Arts Selection Panel made up of regional arts professionals, artists, community leaders, and airport representatives. Final approval of the artists to be added to the Artist Roster and any commission will be by the MSP Arts and Culture Steering Committee. Applicants selected for the Artist Roster will demonstrate through images, résumé, and artist statement a unique and consistent artistic style, the ability to do large-scale work, and the tools and capacity to complete a project. The panel will review applicants' work samples and other materials and select a varied list of artists ranging from emerging, mid-career, and established stages of their careers, who will be prequalified.

The Arts@MSP program defines emerging, mid-career, and established stages as the following:

An emerging artist is an artist who is in an early stage in their career, who may/may not have specialized training, and who has created a modest body of artwork.

A mid-career artist has created an independent body of work over several years and has received regional or national commissions. A mid-career artist may have had a significant number of solo exhibitions at galleries and museums, located nationally or internationally. “Mid-career” doesn’t refer to the age of the artist or even a specific number of years in their careers.

An established artist is an artist who is at a mature stage in their career and who has created an extensive body of independent work. An established artist has had several permanent public art projects or has had a significant number of solo exhibitions at galleries and museums, located nationally or internationally. “Established” does not refer to the age of the artist or a specific number of years in their careers.


CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS

Contracts or agreements for all commissioned artwork will be established between the MAC and the selected artist. Contract awards above $175,000 are subject to the approval of the MAC board of directors. Terms and stipulations of contracts and agreements will vary based on whether the artist is only providing the design, or if the artist is providing the design, fabrication, and installation of the artwork. Contracts will include language detailing ownership, sales, copyright law, liability, other insurance coverage, and negotiated remuneration.
 

Click here to view a sample MAC Design Contract for Public Artwork.

Click here to view a sample MAC Commission & Purchase Agreement for Public Artwork.


INFORMATION CONTACT

All questions regarding this RFQ should be submitted in writing to the information contact listed below:

       Ben Owen
      Director, Arts@MSP
      Airport Foundation MSP
      4300 Glumack Drive, Suite C3405
      Saint Paul, MN 55111
      ben.owen@mspmac.org


DATA PRACTICES

All data submitted to the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) is governed by the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. Under Minn. Stat. § 13.591, at the time and date submissions are due, the submitter’s name becomes public information. All other information submitted does not become public until MAC has completed negotiating the contract with the selected artist. At that time, all information in the submissions becomes public, with the exception of trade secret data under Minn. Stat. § 13.37.

During the evaluation process, submitters cannot look at submissions by others or data created as part of the selection or evaluation process. However, in MAC’s public Committee and Commission meetings, Commissioners are able to publicly discuss any information in the submissions to the extent reasonably necessary to conduct the business at hand.

By making a submission, you acknowledge that all information is subject to potential disclosure and agree that MAC will have no liability for any such disclosure.

Persons who supply data about themselves in response to this Request for Qualifications are entitled to know the following information:

1. The information requested will be used to evaluate the submissions;
2. You are not legally required to supply this information;
3. Failure to supply information may result in a determination that the submission is non-responsive; and
4. The public is authorized by law to receive information that is not classified by law as private, confidential, or nonpublic data.

NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY

Pursuant to 49 CFR part 26, it is the policy of MAC to practice nondiscrimination based on race, color, sex, or national origin in the award of this RFQ. MAC encourages participation by all artists qualifying under this solicitation regardless of business size or ownership. The provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 252, 42 USC §§ 2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, which prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, color, or national origin are incorporated by reference into this RFQ.

MAC, in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 252, 42 USC §§ 2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, hereby notifies all bidders or offerors that it will affirmatively ensure that any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full and fair opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.

This RFQ does not obligate the Airport Foundation MSP or the MAC to award a contract or complete the project, and the Foundation and the MAC reserve the right to cancel the solicitation if it is considered to be in their best interest. The Foundation and the MAC also reserve the right to waive minor informalities and, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, reject any and all proposals received in response to this RFQ.


HOW TO APPLY

Step 1:  Scroll back to the top of this project description, and click the orange "Submit" button to the right of the words "RFQ for Public Artist Roster."

Step 2:  Scroll to the bottom of the project description, enter your contact information (address, city/town, state/province, zip/postal code, country, and phone number) then click "Save Address and Continue" at the bottom of the page.

Step 3:  Provide the documents and information required for this submission. Follow the instructions within the application forms.