The City of Fergus Falls is pleased to invite artists to submit proposals to be considered for public art projects that will be an integral part of the new riverfront improvements along the Otter Tail River in downtown Fergus Falls.
Donor Name: City of Fergus Falls
State: Minnesota
City: Fergus Falls
Type of Grant: Program
Deadline: 03/23/2023
Size of the Grant: up to $75,000
Details:
In October 2016, the City of Fergus Falls embarked on the development of a community-based vision and master plan for their downtown and the undervalued riverfront. A collaborative community-based planning process was conducted to ensure plan recommendations reflected community values and priorities. Key takeaways from the process included fostering a “Community Focus” and directing new development toward the river, expanding park lands and recreational opportunities along the river, broadening recreational programs and activities for families, and providing more river access for river-oriented activities.
This CALL FOR ARTISTS is a call to provide public art in at least two separate locations within the riverfront improvements. The two potential general locations are as follows:
- Park entrance off S. Court Street
- Upper Central Plaza (north of splash pad)
What is the inspiration?
Beyond community infrastructure priorities is the reality that the COVID-19 pandemic has increased their need to mindfully activate public spaces for the mental and physical health of their residents. The riverfront improvements are an effort to reintroduce people to the Otter Tail River and provide areas for people to gather and celebrate in downtown Fergus Falls.
Goals for the public art on the Riverfront:
- Celebrate the Fergus Falls community and/or Otter Tail River
- Create opportunities for interaction between art and audience
- Appeal to a wide range of people
This CALL FOR ARTISTS seeks plans for public art as part of Phase II riverfront improvements. Criteria for two sculptural elements are identified below. Applicants may express interest in one or both sculptural elements, and/ or may propose smaller complementary projects outside the genre of sculpture. The city is prepared to consider a proposal as a conceptual approach to the project and reserves the right to negotiate the technical details of final design once an artist is selected for an opportunity.
Upper Central Plaza (north of splash pad) Budget: up to $75,000
- They are looking for an artistic expression that celebrates life in Fergus Falls, community history, and/or the Otter Tail River. The artistic element should be visible from the adjacent parking to help define the space and draw visual interest. The artistic element can be one individual piece, or a collection of elements associated with a central theme. It is expected that the artist will work with the Riverfront Improvements Phase 2 project team to ensure a safe, integrated product is achieved.
- The available space for the Upper Central Plaza sculpture area is approximately 40’ sq. ft. As part of Phase 2 of the Downtown Riverfront Improvements, a reinforced 3′- diameter footing will be provided to anchor the art piece. The sculptural area is approximately 5′ x 8′. The longer dimension (8′) shall run east-west, centered on the 3′ diameter foundation.
Park entrance off S. Court Street Budget: $50,000- $75,000
- This stand-alone element shall celebrate the Fergus Falls community or the adjacent Otter Tail River in a unique way and may be an opportunity for visitors to take an awesome selfie, group shot or wedding photo at the entrance to the project site.
- The sculptural space available directly east of S. Court Street is approximately 64’ sq. ft. As part of Phase 2 of the Downtown Riverfront Improvements, a reinforced 3′ diameter footing will be provided to anchor the art piece. The sculptural area is approximately 8′ x 8′ and should be centered on the 3′ diameter foundation.
Complementary project Budget: up to $25,000
This final opportunity is to elicit or encourage any project ideas that may be nonsculptural or beyond the confines of a sculpture pad in execution. Again, the goal is to celebrate the Fergus Falls community and/or Otter Tail River, create opportunities for interaction between art and audience, and appeal to a wide range of people. The entire project area of Phase II is depicted in attachments and may be explored as a setting for art.
If you are selected to work on one or more art piece(s), the scope of work for this project will generally include, but not be limited to, the following:
- Provide a schematic design proposal based on established project goals;
- Provide cost estimates for design, fabrication, and installation in order to determine feasibility of the project within the available budget;
- Provide dimensioned drawings depicting unique detailing and including all necessary specifications as required for certification, inspection and approval prior to fabrication and installation.
- Structural drawings stamped by Structural Engineer of the State of Minnesota.
- Fabricate and install the artwork in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract and the approved design development and construction documents.
Eligible Applicants
Applicants must be independent artists or artist teams residing within 100 miles of Fergus Falls. Responders submitting qualifications for this CALL FOR ARTISTS must be at least 18 years of age and have successfully managed and completed at least one commissioned art project.
For more information, visit City of Fergus Falls.
