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THIS CALL HAS CLOSED. |
| Budget: $600,000 |
| Activated: 06/16/2023 Deadline: 07/31/2023 |
| Call Summary The San Antonio River Foundation (River Foundation), in partnership with the San Antonio River Authority, the City of San Antonio, and Bexar County, seeks to commission a large-scale installation, which will feature a permanent shade structure and the display of more than 300 names, for the St. James AMEC Culture Crossing (Culture Crossing) at San Pedro Creek Culture Park. The shade structure must be functional and provide protection from the elements (sun, rain, etc.), be made from sturdy, low-maintenance materials suitable for the creek environment, and be placed over the former site and archaeological footprint of the St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME Church). This cohesive design, to encompass the entire Culture Crossing, will serve as a signature work of art to honor one of the most historically significant sections of the park. |
| Budget Description The budget range for this opportunity is $600,000-$750,000. The budget includes: all artist team’s design and project management fees; materials and supplies; meetings with design and construction teams; community outreach, historical and site research; proposal for artwork that includes: project narrative, itemized budget, maintenance plan, renderings and/or other visuals, schedule, and roles and responsibilities for installation; stamped structural engineering drawings; all required insurance and permits; fabrication and installation; and travel accommodations. Note: Some elements may be installed by the contractor for convenience depending on the final design of the artwork. However, all installation costs will be paid by the artist/artist team’s budget. |
| Project Description The River Foundation seeks applications from professional artists (individuals or teams) who will be responsible for the development of a cohesive design to enhance the entire Culture Crossing (approximately 7865 square feet in total, 3070 of which are within the archaeological footprint of historically significant foundations and must be beneath the protective shade structure – any additional coverage is optional). Artists applying as individuals must assemble a team of 3 or more professionals from multiple disciplines (engineering, design, construction, history, community engagement, etc.). Each artist team must include at least one visual artist. The River Foundation, the River Authority, Bexar County and their appointees will ensure the artwork is appropriate for the site. The accepted proposal is subject to final approval by the Bexar County Commissioners Court. More information about the San Pedro Creek Culture Park can be found at: www.spcculturepark.com. |
| Artwork Goals The artwork commissioned for this site will be a visually impactful and functional work of art for one of the most culturally significant blocks of the Culture Park. The artwork should: o Be compelling and aesthetically excellent o Provide shaded protection for visitors and the site itself o Recognize and celebrate the site’s historical and cultural significance o Encourage community engagement, interaction, and activations o Create excitement and interest from the community and Culture Park visitors o The site is nominated to be on the National Register of Historic Places. The winning design must meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties (download below), including local historic guidelines such as San Antonio’s RIO and Downtown Design Guidelines which may be found here: https://www.sanantonio.gov/historic/HDRC o Endure the climate of this area, the flooding nature of the creek and a variety of linear park public uses. |
| Artwork Location Description This artwork opportunity is located between Houston and Commerce Streets on the east bank of the creek, in Phase 1. This block includes a variety of local businesses and historic buildings such as the Alameda Theatre, Texas Public Radio, and the Frost Tower. The design will be creek-adjacent, located within the St James AMEC Culture Crossing (pictured below), and must feature a shade structure to be placed directly on top of or above the discovered archaeological site’s footprint (3070 sq. feet). The structure must be structurally sound and functional by providing shade and protection from the elements for park visitors and the archaeological site footprint below. The design should focus on the contributions of the African American formerly enslaved community to the development of San Antonio along San Pedro Creek. Approximately 300 names of the original members of St. James AME Church Community must be incorporated into the design, with consideration for future name discoveries. Consider this interpretation to continue the storytelling aspect of the park’s design. Research and documentation of this site and its history can be downloaded below. Note: • This site has been nominated and is under consideration for the National Register of Historic Places. • Potential designs must meet the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties (download below) and cannot impact the archaeological site itself. • Local Historic Design Review Guidelines may be found here: https://www.sanantonio.gov/historic/HDRC • The shade structure may, but is not required to, extend beyond the 3070 square feet of the archaeological site’s footprint. |
| Site History The legacy of San Pedro Creek is often overshadowed by the San Antonio River and its world-renowned Paseo del Rio, but the creek played a primary and vital role in the history of Bexar County and San Antonio. As the community evolved cultures, languages, values, and religions were interwoven over hundreds of years, and are still evident today. San Pedro Creek touched lives in numerous ways. Revered as a life source (for drinking, abundant flora and fauna, and irrigation), the spring-fed creek provided direction for settlement. The creek eventually ceased to bring lives together and resulted in segregation, emerging as a dividing line between Anglo, Hispanic, and Black populations. Returning its healing spirit and embracing its ability to unite the community is part of the creek’s legacy. The San Pedro Creek Culture Park reflects on this rich history, reconstitutes life-giving qualities, and creates a sense of place. The San Pedro Creek Culture Park, located on the western edge of Downtown San Antonio, exemplifies beauty with purpose, as it serves as vital infrastructure for a growing downtown. Bexar County and the River Authority, in coordination with the City of San Antonio, have restored San Pedro Creek’s natural environment and created a world-class linear park – with a purpose that goes well beyond just being beautiful and enjoyable. It combines architectural design, historic preservation, and public art with engineering, ecosystem restoration, and native landscaping. In early 2020, construction for the Culture Park led to the uncovering of several historically significant foundations dating back to the mid-1800’s. A historical study has identified these as the Klemke-Menger Soap Factory, Alamo Ice Company, Alamo Ice House and Brewing Company, and St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME Church). The presence of the AME Church foundation at this site is a rare remnant of African American history in downtown San Antonio. The currently listed names of the original members of the church can be downloaded below. Today, the contemporary St. James AME Church is located on San Antonio’s West Side. More information can be downloaded below. Additional information on the history of the creek, a historical narrative and a mythic narrative are available online at: www.spcculturepark.com. |
| Eligibility The opportunity is open to all art and design professionals, ages 18 and over, and residing in the United States, regardless of residence, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, military status, sexual orientation, marital status, or physical or mental disability. |
| Application Requirements |
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Resume: 5 page(s) maximum Work examples: 10 Letter of Interest: 1000 word maximum The letter should be approximately one page in length and should explain your interest in creating an artistic design element for the San Pedro Creek Culture Park. Please also include a description of your team and the qualities each person brings to the project. References: 3 |
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Artists are allowed to apply in teams.
Artists applying as a team must split the allotted number of work examples between themselves. |
| Selection Information |
| Selection Process The River Foundation is administering the artist selection process for this opportunity in partnership with the River Authority, the City of San Antonio, and Bexar County. The process will occur in two phases. During the first phase, artist teams are invited to submit qualifications through this Request for Qualifications. The River Foundation will convene a selection panel made up of art and design professionals and River Authority, City of San Antonio, and Bexar County representatives to review and evaluate the applications received. The selection panel will then select up to four artist/artist team finalists. During the second phase, the selected finalists will be asked to submit proposals for which they will each receive a $2,500 honorarium upon delivery of the proposal. The honorarium includes all costs of preparing the proposal. Proposals must detail the finalist’s conceptual approach for artwork at the site and presentations must describe the concept, materials, size, weight, installation requirements, maintenance requirements, budget, and community engagement opportunities. Finalists will be interviewed, and one artist team will be selected for the commission. A recommendation for approval of the selected artist team will be presented at the subsequent regular meeting of Bexar County Commissioners Court. Once approved, the artist team will contract with the River Foundation, in cooperation with the River Authority, the project manager of the San Pedro Creek Culture Park. AMENDMENTS TO RFQ Should an amendment to this RFQ become necessary, it will be provided to artists who have initiated applications and posted to our website with all answers to questions received about this RFQ. It is the sole responsibility of any artist interested in submitting qualifications to check their email for amendments. If the artist does not have access to the internet, they must inquire by contacting Ashley Mireles at ashley@sariverfound.org or 210-224-2694. RESTRICTIONS ON COMMUNICATION Once the RFQ has been released, artists are prohibited from communicating with the River Foundation, River Authority, City of San Antonio, or Bexar County elected officials and staff, and members of the Design Team regarding the RFQ, with the following exceptions: 1) Questions concerning substantive RFQ issues shall be directed, electronically only, to ashley@sariverfound.org. Verbal questions and explanations are not permitted other than for general non-substantive issues or as may be described by this section and during interviews, if any. No inquiries or questions will be answered if received after 5:00PM (Central Time) on July 12, 2023, to allow ample time for distribution of answers and/or amendments to this RFQ. Artists wishing to receive copies of the questions and their responses must notify Ashley Mireles in writing prior to the date and time the questions are due. 2) Currently contracted vendors may communicate with River Foundation and River Authority staff in order to continue working on active matters, but such communication shall not include discussions regarding this RFQ. 3) The River Foundation reserves the right to contact any artist for clarification after responses are opened and/or to further negotiate with any artist if such is deemed desirable. ADDITIONAL POLICIES 1) The River Foundation has the discretion to disqualify applicants whose applications are late or incomplete, and whose applications do not comply with all stated requirements. 2) The River Foundation reserves the right to select one, more than one, or no applicants in response to this RFQ. 3) The River Foundation may accept any Proposal in whole or in part. If subsequent negotiations are conducted, they shall not constitute a rejection or alternate RFQ on the part of the River Foundation. 4) The River Foundation reserves the right to accept or to reject any or all applications and proposals received in response to this RFQ, and to waive informalities and irregularities in the applications and proposals received. The River Foundation also reserves the right to terminate this RFQ, and reissue a subsequent solicitation, and/or remedy technical errors in the RFQ process. 5) No work shall commence until a mutually acceptable contract document(s) is signed by the River Foundation and the selected artist provides the necessary evidence of insurance as required in this RFQ and the Contract. Contract documents are not binding on the River Foundation until reviewed by legal counsel. In the event the parties cannot negotiate and execute a contract within the time specified, the River Foundation reserves the right to terminate negotiations with the selected artist and commence negotiations with another artist. |
| Selection Criteria Artists should demonstrate the following: 1) Experience completing an innovative public art project of similar scope and scale (project type, budget, artistry, and community engagement) (35%) 2) Understanding of the historical findings at the St. James AMEC Culture Crossing and cultural development of San Antonio and Bexar County (20%) 3) Knowledge of materials and fabrication methods, and sensitivity to the nature of an urban creek environment (20%) 4) Successful team composition, as referenced in the Call Summary (15%) 5) An interest in creating a signature artistic design element for the creek (10%) |
| Timeline 2023 June 16 Release Request for Qualifications July 12 Deadline for submitting questions July 31 Applications due Week of July 31 Application review and selection of finalists Week of August 28 Finalist proposal presentation September Bexar County Commissioners Court presentation Oct – Nov Contract negotiation and execution Dec – Feb Design development and coordination with design/construction team March 1 Final design due 2024 4 Months (est) Artwork fabrication TBD Artwork installation TBD Dedication of artwork |
| Additional Resources |
| https://spcculturepark.com/ |
| Request for Qualifications pdf (PDF) |
| Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties (PDF) |
| Research & documentation of site and its history (PDF) |
| Additional History and AMEC Parishioners Names (PDF) |
| Artwork Location Maps and Renderings (PDF) |
| Contact Information |
| Ashley Mireles Public Art Curator PO Box 830045 San Antonio TX 78204 United States ashley@sariverfound.org 2102242694 |
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