The City of Carlsbad’s Library & Cultural Arts Department seeks to qualify an artist or artist team to enter into an agreement to develop a site-integrated artwork for City of Carlsbad’s Fire Station 2 located at the intersection of El Camino Real and Arenal Road in Carlsbad, California. As an artist, you’ll add value in fully articulating the design and enhancing and complimenting the aesthetics of the architecture while creating a unique visual experience for the visitors and residents in Carlsbad.

By designing an illumination/lighting installation and/or glass feature, the artist or artist team will also align to a national public art trend and ultimately further Carlsbad’s public art reputation. This unique location provides the artist with a blank canvas to develop a high visual impact experience that will be meaningful to the firefighters who are housed there and continue to increase our community’s interest in public art, and heighten the visibility of artists and the arts in Carlsbad.

These locations have been identified for public art:

• Exterior wall façades and/or
• Glass panels

Due to the high visibility of this location, the city intends to place a higher ranking to artist and artist teams who respond to this Request for Proposals with a design concept that incorporates an illumination lighting feature that enhances the architectural elements and/or a design activating the glass panels.

The total budget for the artwork is not to exceed $130,000.

The selected artist will receive a design agreement for $26,000 to develop site-integrated artwork. When the design proposal is accepted, the artist will then receive a subsequent contract of up to $104,000 to fabricate and install the artwork, inclusive of shipping, subcontracted services, travel, and accommodations costs.

The Request for Proposals is open to professional artists residing and eligible to work in the United States. Artist and artist teams should know that any proposal by a selected artist must undergo an extensive approval process which may include revision or modification through the city’s Art in Public Places program and required city agreement and contract. Take this approval process, contractual process, health and safety protocols and obligations into consideration when submitting proposals. The process, fees and services are subject to negotiation based on proposed deliverables and must meet the city’s standards for public stewardship. Also, consideration of the project’s goals as it relates to an appropriate cost/outcome ratio.

Deadline for submissions: Tuesday, August 10, 2021 by 4 p.m. 

If you are interested in submitting a bid, you may download the RFP specifications by going to: http://www.carlsbadca.gov/services/depts/finance/contracting/bids.asp

Click on “Open requests for proposals, bids or qualifications” link.