SICILIAN FISHERMAN’S TRIBUTE in BOSTON, MA
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS for Public Art Project
Deadline: Friday, September 28, 2012 at 5:00 pm (received)
Project Description and Context
A work of public art is planned as a tribute to the Sicilian fishermen who formed the backbone of Boston’s fishing industry during the late 19th C through the mid-20th C. The working title is the Sicilian Fisherman’s Tribute and is to be located on the north side of Long Wharf near the remnants of T Wharf, which along with Eastern Packard Pier and Commercial Wharf in Boston’s North End formed the commercial center of activity for the neighborhood.
Background
From the late 19th C through the mid 20th C immigrants from Italy, mainly from Sicily, settled in the North End bringing with them their cultural traditions and language. The main motivation was the expansion of the fishing industry in New England, founded in the early 17th C, and the economic opportunity it presented. Looked upon originally as poor and illiterate, the dealers at the wharfs soon noted these hardworking men who were a critical component in the development of one of the largest fishing ports in the world. The industry flourished through the early 1960’s. At that time, signs of overfishing began to appear and the federal government began regulating the catch. By the 1970’s the Canada extended its territorial claim to 200 miles and competition from the Canadian fishing fleet effectively closed a number of areas to the Americans. Combined with competition from large international factory ships, the glory days of the North End fisherman came to an end. The cultural traditions brought with them from Sicily were an integral component of life in the North End.
Project Administration
Ricardo Barreto, Public Art Consultant, has been selected to facilitate the Artist Selection Process. The administration of the project itself will be handled by the Maritime Society of Our Lady of Help of Sciacca of Boston in collaboration with the Edward Ingersoll Browne Fund, the Boston Redevelopment Authority, and the Boston Art Commission.
Eligibility
The RFQ is open to all artists in New England and New York.
Process
Five finalists will be selected for the project based on past work through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process. Selected finalists will receive a Request for Proposals (RFP) with a full package of information including site plans. Proposals will be presented to the selection committee through an interview process whereupon the committee will select a winner.
Proposal Development Fee
Each of the five finalists will receive an honorarium of $1,500 following the proposal presentation and interview.
Budget
The budget is $100,000 inclusive of all project related costs including artist fees, fabrication, installation, insurance, etc.
Criteria
Applicants will be asked to address the following criteria:
- Project should be appropriate to the site and reflect the specific history and contribution of the Sicilian fishermen to Boston’s maritime history
- The final piece can incorporate realistic elements or be entirely abstract
- Materials need to withstand the effects of ocean and four seasons of coastal weather and provide the maximum resistance to vandalism
- Maintenance requirements should be minimal
- The piece must comply to safety and ADA standards for access
Artist Evaluation
Artists will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
- Artistic quality as demonstrated by previous work
- Special skills or training pertinent to the project
- Expressed interest or experience in community outreach and education
- Ability and interest in meeting the goals of the project
Application Deadline: 5 pm Friday, September 28, 2012
Anticipated Timeline
- Finalist will be notified by Friday, October 12, 2012
- Proposals following the RFP are due Friday, December 7, 2012
- Proposal presentations/artist interviews will take place mid December, 2012
- Announcement of the chosen artist will be made in early January, 2013
- Timeline for final design/fabrication/installation to be determined in early 2013
Application Requirements
Interested artists should contact the Ricardo Barreto Public Art Consultant at [email protected].
Please submit:
1. Resume with current contact information in PDF or MS Word format only. The file name for your resume should be in the following order: lastnamefirstname_resume.
2. Email up to 6 clearly labeled JPEG digital images of relevant past work. Artists may send information formatted as follows:
Acceptable digital images must be:
- Formatted as JPEGs to read in Adobe Photoshop
- Maximum pixel dimensions per image approximately 600Hx800W
- Image resolution – up to 300 pixels per inch (ppi)
- Maximum file size per image – 1MB
- Name each image: lastnamefirstnameimagenumber.jpg
- Include a 1-page, 8 1⁄2” x 11” thumbnail printout of images with corresponding image numbers
3. A corresponding, numbered, annotated image list with title, media, dimensions, location, brief description and date of the work, project budget, and project partners, if applicable.
The file name for your resume should be in the following order: lastnamefirstname_list.
Please do not send proposals at this stage.
Please email your entry to [email protected] with the subject line Fisherman’s Tribute
Entries should not exceed 5 MB per email.
Participants are solely responsible for the timely arrival of their entries. Participants, by virtue of entering the competition, agree to save harmless the organizers, sponsors and anyone else involved with the competition for any delay, damage or loss, real or perceived.
Contact: Ricardo D. Barreto
1-617-285-1966