Request for Proposals

I. PROJECT SCOPE

For more than 15 years, Easthampton City Arts and the Easthampton Planning Department have recognized the value and potential of public art as a meaningful activator of public spaces throughout the City—and throughout this time, have worked together to implement and bring to life a growing collection of public art throughout downtown Easthampton. For its newest public art initiative, ECA will commission a new, original, artist-designed and fabricated public sculpture that includes mosaic tile. 

II. SCULPTURAL GUIDELINES & DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS

• This is a site-specific work. Be mindful of the location, its history, and current day use (all of which are outlined in Section V). The selected artist is responsible for costs of design, fabrication, delivery, and assisting in the installation of the sculpture to the designated location on schedule.
• The selected artist will be responsible for maintenance of their sculpture for one year.
• Selection criteria will include but is not limited to: aesthetics, site specificity, originality, safety, feasibility, and durability of the structure itself as well as the mosaic components.
• The selected sculpture will be attached to a 4’ x 4’ concrete foot pad, located at the Manhan Railtrail on the north side of Union Street. 
• The proposed sculpture design must include a base (with measurements and specifications) that can be safely and securely attached to the 4’ x 4’ concrete pad, which is 4 inches thick. 
• Design must include visual detail(s) with specification notes of how the sculpture will be securely installed to the 4 inch thick concrete pad.
• Design cannot obstruct the pathway or surrounding natural environment.

The use of environmentally friendly materials and finishes is encouraged. Sculpture materials and finishes should be: 

• Durable 
• Easy to maintain and install 
• Theft and tamper-resistant 
• Resistant to cutting/sawing with hand-held, non-power tools 
• Graffiti-resistant 
• Non-flammable
• Materials should not have sharp edges or features likely to cause injury

III. TIMELINE

• February 18 – Announce RFP w/ press release, ECA newsletter, and social media channels
• March 25 – Deadline to apply 
• April 1 – Review applications and select finalist
• April 15 – Announce selected artist
• First payment installment is issued for 50% of the honorarium
• April 15 through August 15 – Fabrication of public sculpture and contracting with artist
• September 15-17 – Install artwork to the concrete pad
• Payment balance is issued to artist upon the completion of the installation of artwork
• September 2026 – Public Unveiling & Community Celebration

IV. HONORARIUM

The selected artist will receive a $12,000 honorarium that must cover all costs, including design fee, materials, fabrication, transportation, and installation. Half of the honorarium will be given to the selected artist upon their execution of the Artist contract. The balance will be paid following installation of the sculpture.

Please note that the selected artist must provide a W9 form in order to be paid by the City of Easthampton and that payment processing requires up to 4-5 weeks after the necessary paperwork is submitted to the City Auditor’s office. 

V. LOCATION & HISTORY

The location of The Union Street Pathway to the Mills is deeply significant, both historically and with regards to its cultural meaning and significance today. Originally Nonotuck land, with inhabitants and visitors from Norwottuck and Pocumtuck tribes, this particular site, its nearby rivers, and the surrounding area were benchmark locations for hunting, fishing, and connectivity to a broader, regional water-transportation network. 

In the early-to-mid 1800’s, mill buildings were built alongside Easthampton’s ponds and waterways, which were dammed and utilized to power the mills. However, as industry moved away from the Northeast, the mills became underutilized. Beginning in the late 1980’s, redevelopment and repurposing of these historic mill buildings began and continues to this day. Easthampton’s multi-use mill buildings currently support a wide range of businesses, community organizations, and artist studios.

Furthermore, this particular site for public art sits alongside the Manhan Rail Trail, which was once a regional railway – and, Tandem Bagel, which is located right across the street, was once a train station. Like the nearby rivers, the railway created a network to distribute the goods that were made in the mills. Additionally, the bike path serves as an entryway to Millside Park, which draws thousands of community members each year, through daily use of the park and the Manhan Rail Trail as well as local outdoor concerts, performances, and film screenings.

While ECA and the ECA Public Art Subcommittee have designed and crafted this “call to artists” with the intentional omission of a specific theme, we recognize the value and opportunity that this RFP presents to acknowledge and honor the complex and integrated histories of this location in meaningful ways for all residents and visitors. We also recognize the value and potential of public art to serve as a platform for community engagement and education—and we welcome and encourage a broad, diverse range of content in the incoming proposals and applications.

VI. SELECTION PROCESS

The Union Street Pathway to the Mills selection committee will consist of the ECA Arts & Culture Program Director, members of the ECA Public Art Subcommittee, and a mosaic artist, with additional representation from the City and the Manhan Rail Trail Committee.

VII. ELIGIBILITY

This RFP is open to all applicants, 18 years and older.

ECA is actively committed to supporting art and artists from historically underrepresented and marginalized groups of people. BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Person of Color), Queer, and Trans artists are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants can be based anywhere, though local and regional applicants will be prioritized.

Previous experience with designing and fabricating public art—and public sculpture in particular—is strongly encouraged and recommended, though is not necessary.

Previous experience with mosaic tilework is required.

All designs and proposals for public sculpture must be feasible and structurally-sound, by design; applications that are not feasible nor structurally-sound will be removed from consideration.

Applications will be accepted through Easthampton City Arts’ website and can also be mailed or delivered to: Easthampton City Arts 50 Payson Avenue Easthampton, MA 01027 ATTN: Union Street Pathway to the Mills.

The selected artist must be able to provide a W9 form in order to be paid by the City of Easthampton.

Please note that applications that do not meet the guidelines and submission requirements may be disqualified. 

The selected artist must also be able to strictly follow the timeline outlined below.

VIII. MAP & SITE PHOTOS 

The location for the sculpture is on the north side of Union Street near the Manhan Rail Trail. See photo of the location including the concrete pad below as well as this map for reference. 

IX. ECA RESPONSIBILITIES 

• ECA will coordinate installation with the selected artist and the City of Easthampton.
• ECA will provide a contract and payment to the selected artist.
• ECA will announce and publicize the selected design.

Please respond to the following Application Questions and include any renderings in one emailed .pdf document, a Google folder, or one hardcopy package. 

Application materials can be emailed to Easthampton City Arts Program Director: pazzarello@easthamptonma.gov with a subject line: Union Street Public Art

OR mailed/delivered to: 

Easthampton City Arts

50 Payson Avenue

Easthampton, MA 01027 

ATTN: Union Street Public Art

Please note: All designs and proposals submitted for this RFP will remain the intellectual property of the artist(s) that submitted them. However, ECA and the City of Easthampton reserve the right to display any and all submitted designs/proposals in a gallery show, on their website, and/or in print media as publicity for the artists and/or ECA. 

APPLICATION QUESTIONS

CONTACT INFO

• Name
• Street Address
• Phone number
• Email Address
• Website / Link to past works

PROJECT OVERVIEW & DESCRIPTION:

• Project title
• Project description (up to 2,000 words): Please be sure to address the following in your response:

• • Content overview
  • Your ideas and intentions – and how they correlate with your proposed design
  • How your proposed design directly reflects and/or considers the location, including its context 
  • The specific materials and colors (if applicable) that you will be using to create the sculpture as well as the mosaic components, including the substrate and adhesives 
  • The specific fabrication method, materials, life expectancy, and finishes 
  • The physicality and specific dimensions of the sculpture
  • How are you planning to fabricate the sculpture? Will you be creating it on your own? Working with others? Please share any other relevant information. 
  • Detailed rendering of the sculpture and proposed mounting and installation
    • Must be in color and (if printed) no larger than 8.5” x 11” (Three-dimensional models or cds will not be accepted; however photographs of three-dimensional models will be reviewed.)
    • Labels and descriptions to help explain the rendering are encouraged
    • Must include detailed information for how the artwork will be permanently attached to the concrete pad
    • Must include specific dimensions and be to scale

STATEMENT OF INTEREST

Please describe in detail why you wish to participate in this project (up to 500 words)

STATEMENT OF EXPERIENCE

• Please describe in detail your qualifications and past experiences as a public artist and/or mosaic artist (up to 1,000 words)
• Current CV
• Three references
• Images of a minimum of 5-10 completed works from your portfolio, including mosaic artworks

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIO

• Artist Statement (up to 500 words)
• Bio (up to 250 words)
• Statement of Identity (up to 500 words, optional): In keeping with our organization’s core values, ECA supports artists from historically underrepresented and marginalized groups of people. If you wish, please share any additional information about your racial, ethnic, gender and/or cultural identity. 

RELATIONSHIP TO EASTHAMPTON

• If you have previously presented your work in Easthampton before, please describe your past project. (up to 500 words)
• If you have never presented your work in Easthampton before, please let us know why you would like to create and share your work in Easthampton at this time. (up to 500 words)

The selected individual must comply with program guidelines. As with all ECA & City programs, the individual can submit invoices once they have fulfilled the requirements of their agreement. Please note that a W9 is required for payment to be issued and checks can be expected to arrive approximately 4-5 weeks after paperwork has been processed.

Please direct all inquiries regarding this open call for public art to Pasqualina Azzarello, Easthampton City Arts Program Director: pazzarello@easthamptonma.gov. *Please note that inquiries must be received by the end of day Monday March 23, 2023 to ensure a timely response ahead of the application deadline.