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Clinton Community College / Eastern Iowa Community College (EICC)

Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Large-Scale Sculpture

Location: Iowa
Type: RFP / RFQs
Categories:
Visual Arts

Deadline: 02/20/2025

Other Criteria:
Open to artists statewide
Paid opportunity ($90,000)

Apply

Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Large-Scale Sculpture

Issued by: Eastern Iowa Community College
Date: February 3, 2025
Deadline for Submission: February 20, 2025

Overview
Clinton Community College, part of Eastern Iowa Community College (EICC), invites qualified artists, art fabricators, or artist teams to submit qualifications for the design, creation, and fabrication of a colorful, large-scale sculptural art installation. The artwork will be installed inside a filled-in pool cavity at the newly renovated Bickelhaupt Arboretum Event and Educational Center in Clinton, Iowa, and will be visible through an industrial glass floor. This installation will be the centerpiece of the Center and is meant to create a visually compelling and one-of-a-kind experience for guests of the Arboretum. We seek to collaborate with skilled professionals who can execute a bold, site-specific design that engages viewers and enhances the surrounding environment.

For more information on the Bickelhaupt Renovation Project please visit https://eicc.edu/news/2024-09-18-bickelhaupt-arboretum-renovation.aspx.

Project Scope
Type of Artwork: Large-scale sculptural art installation (3D sculpture, site-specific)
Location: Bickelhaupt Arboretum, Clinton, Iowa
Dimensions: The pool area is 832 sq ft. The depth of the space to be filled by the sculpture is 30 inches. The entire area does not need to be filled but the artwork should utilize the space in a way that is dynamic and compelling. Exact dimensions of the sculpture are dependent on the artist’s proposal. Also, the artist should keep in mind the structural elements of the glass flooring while developing their concept (steel columns every four feet to create a grid system for the flooring). Images or plans will be provided to the finalists to assist with their design concepts.
Materials: Artists are encouraged to use glass, metal, or wood, in addition to found materials from the Arboretum grounds.
Design Concept: The sculpture should reflect the environment of the Bickelhaupt Arboretum including nature and the midcentury modern architectural style of the home that has been converted into the Center. It should be safe, durable, and suitable for long-term display.
Installation: The selected artist or team will be responsible for delivering the artwork to the site and coordinating with the Art Curator for the installation, including communicating with the Curator any necessary site preparation, foundation work, and mounting needed.
Timeline: The final sculpture should be completed and installed by November 1st.
Budget: The project’s total budget is $90,000, which should cover design, fabrication, materials, transportation, installation, and any associated costs. 50% to be paid upon contract execution and 50% within 3 weeks of successful completion.

DEADLINE
Qualifications shall be submitted as a PDF no later than Thursday, February 20, 2025 at 5:00 pm via email attachment to the Curator at gabi@gbart.studio. Submissions shall be clearly labeled “Bickehaupt Arboretum Project”. Late submissions will not be accepted. Submissions that are not in a PDF will not be accepted.

SCULPTURE/INSTALLATION OBJECTIVES
This sculpture will create a must-see destination in Clinton, Iowa and beyond the borders of our region.
This sculpture will provide an opportunity for a unique, one-of-a-kind art experience.

TO CONSIDER
The sculpture does not need to cover the entirety of the designated space.
The Artist must have large-scale creation and installation experience, with sufficient knowledge of both medium and materials to ensure the durability of the piece.
Upon selection, Artist shall procure or otherwise provide proof of commercial general liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence), property damage ($1,000,000 per occurrence), bodily injury ($1,000,000 per occurrence) and automobile liability ($500,000 combined single limit), naming Eastern Iowa Community College, together with its officers, agents, employees and engineers as additional primary insureds prior to commencing installation and shall maintain such insurance until completion of the project.
Artist must be willing to work closely with the Curator who will be overseeing all aspects of the project as a representative of Eastern Iowa Community College.
The selected Artist must be willing to work with Eastern Iowa Community College and its representatives to modify the design or materials based on design input and site specifications.
Artist shall comply with all federal and state laws, county and municipal codes, ordinances, rules and regulations that in any manner affect the services to be provided.
A qualifying Artist shall have the ability to obtain all necessary licenses, permits, and approvals, whenever applicable.

TIMELINE
Questions shall be submitted via email to Gabi Torres, Art Curator, at gabi@gbart.studio no later than February 14th.
Deadline for submission: Thursday, February 20, 2025 at 5:00 pm to gabi@gbart.studio.
March 7: Finalists will be notified.
April 4: Finalists will submit designs.
April 18: Selected Artist will be notified.
Oct 1: Installation Completed
*This timeline will be agreed upon with the EICC and the Artist.

TO APPLY
Email a PDF to gabi@gbart.studio including the following information:

Name, phone number, email, and 2 references with contact information.
Website, Instagram, or other online profiles, if applicable.
3-5 work samples, including your most recently completed project.
A brief bio about you as an artist and your process.

SELECTION CRITERIA
Award determination shall be based on the selection committee’s determination of design aesthetic, ability to deliver the artwork on time, and Artist’s experience with similar scale projects.

Following the proposal deadline, the selection committee will collaboratively review, analyze, and rank all submittals based on the evaluative criteria set forth herein. The selection committee may invite finalists to interview before selection. Upon selection, the selected Artist will be required to enter into a contract with Eastern Iowa Community College.

The selection committee reserves the right to request additional information from proposers. The selection committee may take all actions deemed necessary to investigate the qualifications of each proposer. The selection committee reserves the right to qualify or disqualify proposers because of a lack of similar project experience and/or any other information obtained from its investigation.

The selection committee reserves the right to reject all proposals. The selection committee further reserves the right to waive technical defects in the proposals and to accept the proposal which, in the judgment of the selection committee, best serves the project goals.