The Artwork
The Selection Panel has determined that the most effective artwork will be either:
a monumental, exterior piece on the lawn just south of the main entrance in front of the multi-purpose room windows OR
inside the building in the area from the front entrance through the lounge. This area has a ceiling height of 26’ in the entry and 12’ 6” in the lobby.
See the attached images of the front of the building and the floor plan.
The chosen artwork, regardless of where it is located, should have a presence that draws people to it and reflects the six essential factors and goal of the Senior Wellness Center as described above. This inviting and approachable work of art should express qualities of well-being, vitality, and communal support. Since the activities that will be offered at the Senior Wellness Center are designed to rejuvenate, energize, and motivate physical, mental, and emotional activity, a work of art that has motion (kinetic or static with the appearance of movement), changing lights, and/or plays off reflections and shadows would be embraced.
The artwork should be very visible to all the people who use the space, including members who will be active adults aged 50+, staff, service providers, and caregivers. If the artwork is on the exterior of the building, it should distinguish the Senior Wellness Center from other buildings in the Porter Health Village and make a statement about the activities that take place there.
The Senior Wellness Center artwork should also relate to the Norman community and its unique identity. The City of Norman makes exercise, health, and well-being a priority for all its citizens by providing numerous accessible parks, walking and biking trails, and sports fields across the City. The Senior Wellness Center will be an important addition to Norman that will contribute greatly to the City maintaining its high standard of quality of life.
Artwork that would be located outside should complement the natural beauty of the site and the architecture of the building and should draw visitors to the entrance of the facility.
The Selection Panel is open to any media or material that is appropriate to the site as long as it is durable, safe, low maintenance and vandalism resistant.
Budget
The total artist's fee for the project is $100,000.00. This amount must cover all associated costs including design, materials, fabrication, lighting, travel, insurance coverage, shipping, and installation.
Artist Eligibility
Open to professional artists with experience working on public art projects of this scale and working in creating site-specific works.
Artists identifying with an ethnic, cultural, sexual, gender, economic, or ability minority are encouraged to apply.
Timeline:
The following dates are subject to change:
Notify Artists: August 1, 2022
Finalists’ Site Visit: Approximately August 22, 2022
Finalists’ Presentation of Proposals: Approximately September 26, 2022
Selection of Artist: Approximately October 25, 2022
Opening of Norman Senior Wellness Center: Estimated summer of 2023
Committee and Selection Criteria
Selection for this project will be made by a panel including stakeholders, design professionals, a City representative, a member of the Norman Public Art board, a member of the Norman Arts Council Board, and members of the arts community.
Three finalists will be selected based on the materials submitted---please see the Application Guidelines above.
After a formal presentation, the selection panel will choose the best project for the site based on the merit of the artist’s work, past experience including completing projects on time and within budget, and appropriateness of the proposed concept. The Panel will also consider artists who can demonstrate sensitivity to the site and surroundings. Artists must be able to commit and effectively work within the project timeline and collaborate with the administration of City of Norman Parks and Recreation Department and Norman Arts Council.
Selection Process
The Selection Panel will review all applicants who respond to this RFQ.
Three finalists will be invited to move on in the process.
Finalists will come to Norman for a mandatory site visit to meet with the Project Team and others. Finalists will be paid a $650.00 allowance to cover transportation, hotel, and per diem expenses for the site visit.
After the site visit, finalists will be asked to create a site-specific design proposal that will include:
Finalists will each be awarded an honorarium of $1,000.00 for their proposal.
Finalists will be required to present their proposals in-person to the Selection Panel and will receive a $650.00 allowance for transportation, hotel, and per diem expenses for the proposal presentations.
The Selection Panel will make the final decision on the artist awarded the project pending approval of the Norman Arts Council and Norman City Council.
Commissioning of artists is implemented without preference to racial or ethnic origins, sex, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, disability, or age, and all are encouraged to apply.
