Fall 2018 Round: Downtown Murals Call for to Arizona Artists/ Programa de Murales – Convocatoria a Artista

 DUE Midnight FRIDAY September 28, 2018

Mural Program RFP – Call to Artists
For more information: email: COTMuralProgram@gmail.com

The City of Tucson is accepting proposals from artists interested in creating murals in downtown Tucson. The City of Tucson Mural Program is providing funding for murals that reflect diversity in style and culture. The program will encourage artists from diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply and offer their ideas and designs for these murals. This program is aimed at enriching the greater downtown Tucson experience for residents and visitors alike.

Program Goals
The goals of this program are to:

• Beautify public areas in downtown which attract heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
• Use art as a landmark to connect residents and visitors to public and private areas downtown;
• Prevent tagging and vandalism;
• Select dedicated and qualified artists that can demonstrate artistic excellence while completing this program on time and within budget.

About the Program

• Up to three murals by three individual artist or team of collaborative artists will be selected.
• Mural sizes are listed in Appendix A. Artists do not choose sites.
• The selection committee is open to all unifying themes.
• The artist is responsible for surface preparation which may include power washing the surface, removing chipping paint, priming the wall etc.
• The mural will serve as a visual landmark and should be distinctive through use of design, color, etc. Only original art will be considered.
• The design will be suitable and acceptable for public viewing of all ages.
• Design must be scalable.
• Only Arizona artists will be considered.
• The program budget includes the artist(s) fee, paints, sundries (brushes).
• The artist agrees to apply top coat provided by the program.
• Program will provide Wall preparation, and some sundries such as rollers, naps, tape. 
• The program budget does not cover travel, lodging or meal costs. Artists are encouraged to tap into existing professional and personal networks to keep costs reasonable.
• Artists may bring their own brushes, rollers and other special equipment required to produce the mural.
• Surface preparation may include power washing the surface, removing chipping paint, priming the wall, etc.
• The medium to be used must be durable and able to withstand minor wear and tear and harsh outdoor elements for at least five years.
• Artists must agree to use Nova Color Artists’ Acrylic exterior thinners, paints and clear topcoats as manufactured by Nova Color or approved equivalent. All pigments shall have a lightfastness rating of I as per ASTM D5098. Application methods shall be as per manufacturer’s installation directions to ensure the maximum possible lifespan of the mural.
• Murals must be completed by November 30, 2018

Artists can submit for more than one mural, but each mural must have its own proposal.

Proposals – Submit to: COTMuralProgram@gmail.com
Artists interested in creating a work of art through this funding opportunity must submit the following by midnight September 28, 2018 to be considered.

1. A one-page narrative concept for the mural, including supplemental information such as medium and approximate dimensions of the proposed mural.  The narrative should convey the artistic content, colors, style of work, etc. Also include:
1. Wall preparation plan
2. Mural protection/ maintenance plan
3. Timetable (murals must be completed by November 30, 2018)
2. 11 X17 detailed design of the proposed mural. Please include mural concepts in PDF or JPEG formats
3. Itemized budget outlining all costs associated with mural production (artist(s) fee, wall preparation, paints, sundries and top coat)
4. 1-2 page Resume with Contact information
5. Five – eight (5-8) examples of past murals Submit as PDF or JPEG
6. One page Image list including size, materials, costs and location of works.

All proposal components must be submitted in a digital format. Submit as PDF, JPEG or Word Docs.

Wall Details: (dimensions are approximate, more walls may be added)
Wall 1: 20’ x 92’
Wall 2: 18’ x 30’
Wall 3: 32’ x 45’

Selection Criteria
Ability to install mural in a timely manner
Aesthetic Quality of previous work
Aesthetic Quality of Proposal
Arizona Resident

Additional Selection Considerations

Public Safety
Proposal does not present any public safety hazards.  

Artistic Merit
Proposed artwork is aesthetically pleasing and appropriate for the public realm.
Artist’s past work demonstrates proficiency in the proposed medium.
Artist has exhibited in the public or private realm and participated in team and/or community-based art programs.

Site Suitability
Artwork is suitable for the site based on size, scale, and form.
Proposal considers the variety of audiences at the site.
Proposal considers the social, historical, architectural, geographical and/or cultural context of the site.

Artwork Durability
Artwork will be made of durable materials to withstand outdoor weather conditions.
Artwork is carefully planned ensuring sound fabrication and installation.

Project Timeline
Sept 7, 2018                 Artist Call Issued
Sept 16, 2018               Mural Design Application Clinic, 1-3pm Pima County Public Main Library   101 N Stone Ave.
Sept 28, 2018               Applications Due for Artists Proposal and Concept Designs
Oct 8, 2018                  Finalists Selected (Panel Meets Session 1)
Oct 19, 2018                Artists Finalists: Site Specific Mural Design Due      
November 1, 2018       Mural Painting Starts
November 30, 2018      All Murals Complete           

 DUE Midnight FRIDAY September 28, 2018

Need Help With your Application? 

Mural Design Application Clinic, 

Sept 16, 2018, 1-3pm 

Pima County Public Main Library   101 N Stone Ave.

For more information, questions or assistance contact:
Tucson Mural Program: Michael Schwartz  email: COTMuralProgram@gmail.com

LINK TO CALL FOR ARTISTS: www.TucsonArtsBrigade.org


___


PLAZO: Medianoche 28 de septiembre de 2018

Licitación - Programa de Murales – Convocatoria a Artistas
Para obtener más información: correo electrónico cotmuralprogram@gmail.com

La Ciudad de Tucson está aceptando propuestas de artistas interesados en crear murales en el centro de Tucson. El Programa de Arte Mural de la Ciudad de Tucson está ofreciendo fondos para murales que reflejan la diversidad existente en los estilos y en las culturas. El programa servirá para animar a artistas con distintos antecedentes y experiencias a participar y ofrecer sus ideas y diseños para estos murales. El programa tiene la finalidad de enriquecer la experiencia de residentes y visitantes que recorren el área general del centro de Tucson.

Objetivos del Programa

• Los objetivos de este programa incluyen:
• Embellecer áreas públicas en el centro de la ciudad que atraen mucho tráfico peatonal y vehicular.
• Utilizar el las obras de arte como hitos para conectar a residentes y visitantes con las áreas públicas y privadas localizadas en el centro.
• Prevenir el vandalismo y “tagging” (grafiti utilizado para demarcar territorios de pandillas).
• Elegir a artistas dedicados y cualificados que demuestran excelencia artística al mismo tiempo que completan este programa dentro del plazo y presupuesto señalados.

Sobre el Programa

• Se elegirán hasta tres murales propuestos por artistas individuales o equipos de artistas colaboradores.
• Los tamaños de los murales aparecen detallados en el Anexo A. Los artistas no tendrán la opción de seleccionar los sitios.
• El comité de selección está dispuesto a considerar cualquier tema unificador.
• El artista se hará responsable por la preparación de la superficie que podrá incluir el lavado a presión de la superficie, eliminación de desportilladuras de pintura, aplicación de pintura base a la superficie, etc.
• El mural servirá como hito visual y debe tener un aspecto distintivo basado en el diseño, color, etc. Se le dará consideración únicamente a diseños artísticos originales.
• El diseño debe ser apropiado y aceptable para públicos de todas las edades.
• El diseño debe ser escalable.
• Se le dará consideración únicamente a artistas del estado de Arizona.
• El presupuesto del programa incluye los honorarios, pinturas, utensilios y materiales para el artista o equipo de artistas.
• El artista acuerda aplicar la capa superior de acabado proporcionada por el programa.
• El programa proporcionará utensilios y materiales para la preparación de la pared, como rodillos de felpa, cinta adhesiva, etc.
• El presupuesto del programa no cubre gastos de viaje, alojamiento, o viáticos. Se anima a los artistas a aprovechar sus redes profesionales y personales para mantener los costos a un nivel razonable.
• Los artistas podrán traer sus propias brochas, rodillos, y demás equipo especializado requerido para producir el mural.
• La preparación de la superficie podrá incluir el lavado a presión de la superficie, eliminación de desportilladuras de pintura, aplicación de pintura base a la superficie, etc.
• El medio que se utilizará deberá contar con durabilidad y resistencia suficientes como para tolerar condiciones mínimas de desgaste que resulten de la exposición a los elementos externos durante por lo menos cinco años.
• Los artistas deben acordar utilizar disolventes, pinturas, y capas superiores de acabado transparente acrílicos manufacturados por la marca Nova Color, o algún equivalente aprobado. Todos los pigmentos deberán contar con una calificación de resistencia a la luz de nivel I, de conformidad con la norma ASTM D5098. Los métodos de aplicación utilizados deberán cumplir con las direcciones de instalación de la empresa manufacturera para asegurar la máxima vida útil posible para el mural.
• Los murales deberán completarse a más tardar para el día 30 de noviembre de 2018.
• Los artistas podrán presentar más de una propuesta para mural, pero cada mural deberá tener su propia propuesta.

Propuestas – Deberán enviarse a: COTmuralprogram@gmail.com

Para ser considerados, los artistas interesados en crear una obra de arte por medio de esta oportunidad de financiamiento deben presentar, a más tardar para la Medianoche del 28 de septiembre de 2018, los artículos que se enumeran a continuación:

1. Un concepto narrativo para el mural, incluyendo información suplementaria como el medio y las dimensiones aproximadas para el mural propuesto. La narrativa debe comunicar el contenido artístico, colores, estilo de trabajo, etc. Asimismo, debe incluir:
1. Plan de preparación para el muro (pared)
2. Plan de protección y mantenimiento del muro
3. Cronograma (los murales deben completarse para el día 30 de noviembre de 2018)
2. Diseño detallado del mural propuesto de 11 X 17 pulgadas. Favor de incluir los conceptos del mural en formato PDF o JPEG
3. Presupuesto desglosado esbozando todos los costos asociados con la producción del mural (honorarios de artista(s), preparación del muro, pinturas, utensilios y materiales, y capa superior de acabado)
4. Hoja de vida de 1 a 2 páginas con Información de Contacto
5. Cinco a ocho (5-8) ejemplos de murales producidos anteriormente en formato PDF o JPEG
6. Lista de imágenes de una página que incluye el tamaño, materiales, costos, y ubicación de las obras

PLAZO: Medianoche 28 de septiembre de 2018

Todos los componentes propuestos deben presentarse en formato digital, utilizando documentos en formato PDF, JPEG, y Word.

Criterios de Selección

• Habilidad para instalar el mural dentro del plazo señalado
• Calidad estética de las obras anteriores
• Calidad estética de la propuesta
• Residente de Arizona

Consideraciones Adicionales para la Selección

Seguridad Pública

• La propuesta no presenta ningún riesgo o peligro para la seguridad pública.

Mérito Artístico

• La obra propuesta es estéticamente agradable y apropiada para el ámbito público.
• El trabajo anterior del artista demuestra competencia en el medio propuesto.
• El artista ha exhibido en los ámbitos públicos o privados, y ha participado en programas o equipos de arte comunitario.

Aptitud del Sitio

• La obra es apta para el sitio en base al tamaño, escala, y la forma.
• La propuesta toma en consideración la diversidad de auditorios que podrán visitar el sitio.
• La propuesta toma en consideración los contextos sociales, históricos, arquitectónicos, geográficos y/o culturales del sitio.

Durabilidad de la Obra Artística

• La obra se producirá con materiales durables para resistir las condiciones climáticas externas.
• La obra se planificará detenidamente con la finalidad de asegurar que su producción e instalación es confiable.

Cronograma del Proyecto

7 de septiembre de 2018        Publicación de Convocatoria de Artistas
*28 de septiembre de 2018    Plazo para Recibir Propuestas de Artistas y Diseños de Concepto
8 de octubre de 2018        Selección de Finalistas (Panel se Reúne en la 1ra Sesión)
19 de octubre de 2018        Artistas Finalistas: Plazo para Presentar su Diseño del Mural para el Sitio Específico
1ro de noviembre de 2018    Inicio de la Obra del Mural
30 de noviembre de 2018        Plazo para Completar Todos los Murales

Para información, preguntas, o asistencia favor de comunicarse con:
Michael Schwartz – correo electrónico: COTMuralProgram@gmail.com

ENLACE A LA CONVOCATORIA DE ARTISTAS:  www.TucsonArtsBrigade.org

2018 Mural Festival Report Back

2018 Mural Festival Report Back
by Sadie Shaw

"Sugar Hill" © 2018 Teresa Diane Altamirano/ Tucson Arts Brigade

In April, TAB set out to add more murals into the Sugar Hill (Northwest) Neighborhood’s Bronx Wash to extend the set completed between 2009-17. Although there were many bureaucratic roadblocks in our way, TAB persevered and managed to work with neighbors, community leaders, and even local artist David Tineo to paint more murals in the neighborhood despite all odds.

The Sugar Hill Story Circle in April inspired local artists and TAB members to submit around 15 designs for murals in the Bronx Wash on Linden between 4th and 6th Ave. However, there was a disconnect between the Arts Foundation of Southern Arizona and TAB,  and because of a sudden change to the review process, our approval was delayed. Because of this, only three murals from the festival were painted at the original site in the Bronx Wash, but thanks to the generous donation of a neighbor, the majority of the murals found a home on a private wall 6th and Linden (including the mural by David Tineo). Check them out sometime!

TAB is a community driven arts organization, and we exist to inspire new artists and community leaders. From the Sugar Hill story circle, artist and Sugar Hill resident Sadie Shaw painted her first mural and was further motivated to become president of the Northwest Neighborhood Association and a board member of TAB! Together we hope to schedule another story circle and encourage a more open and accessible process to making public art in our community!

©2018 David Tineo/Tucson Arts Brigade

©2018 Sadie Shaw/Tucson Arts Brigade

Thank You To Our Supporters!!

Throughout the weekend over 150 visited, helped paint, took photographs and talked with their neighbors. Many had never met, and didn’t know there was a neighborhood association. Our supply tent was filled with healthy foods and cold drinks gathered by TAB Community Outreach Director Rose Taulton. Each morning TAB BOD member German Quiroga and intern Delbert Antone would set up the shade tent, supplies, water and comfort area. Thanks to all our dedicated volunteers the event had that feeling of comfort, delight and creativity. Many of the supplies were donated, and we especially want to thank ACE Hardware, Tucson Pastel Society,  GARDEN Inc., Felix Lawrence, German Quiroga, Sally Howard, Dorothy Richmond, John Newman, ACE Hardware, Tucson Brown Berets and Adrian Fernandez for making this festival possible.

Free-Walls: What are they?

Could Free Walls Solve Tucson's Censorship Problem?

Tacoma Graffiti Garages, Tacoma, WA

by Felix Lawrence; USDAC, Pima County Outpost

Free-Walls are areas on public property where people can paint, post or draw 2-dimensional (flat) images & text.  Just as the City of Tucson provides public parking, tennis courts etc. it can also provide areas for people to create public art on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Many cities already have such walls; as you might expect, they are not free of controversy!  This article reviews several such sites. Ironically, one of the most famous Free-Walls was in communist China! 

Tucson Arts Brigade (TAB) is developing a proposal to open a Free-Wall for public art in Tucson; the proposal is currently in the early research stage, any suggestions you have would be appreciated.  We believe that the public is not just the passive audience for public art, we are also participants.  Our experiences with the Public Art Community Design Committee (PACD) have demonstrated that public art in Tucson has serious barriers to public participation; it is elitist.  PACD has censored the political content of our artwork; apparently it believes it needs to protect the people of Tucson from ideas.

 Olympia Free Wall, Olympia, Wa

The rough-draft proposal we have on the drafting board now looks like this:  

The City of Tucson would require artists to sign an agreement; this would release the City from all liability (both from personal injury, and damage to the artwork).

The City would then assign the artist an area to paint, or tell them to paint over the oldest existing artwork (artwork would be tagged with the date the artist received permission to paint).  There are many City-owned walls already built, visible & accessible from the street, so this wouldn’t cost the City anything, if it is willing to abstain from control & enforcement of rules.  Yes, the artwork may be ugly, offensive etc.  but at least it won’t last long.

The artists could, at their own expense, install video cameras to monitor the site; this info & the archives would be public & available via the internet.  Whatever proposal we put forward, inevitably the City will modify it.

The City’s main concern may be cost & liability (it may want them to be zero).  It may also may want to retain control of the content of the artwork; we must resist this as much as possible if that happens.  It is OK to prohibit obscenity, hate speech, etc. but political & religious content must be allowed if a Free-Wall is to be worthy of its name.

Stay updated on this story by visiting: http://www.tucsonartsbrigade.org/

2018 Mural Festival: Sugar Hill Tucson, AZ

2018 Neighborhood Mural Festival April 13-15

On April 13-15 artists and neighbors gathered for the first ever neighborhood based mural festival in Tucson, AZ. This festival was a huge success, with fourteen new murals created. Our theme was voices of Sugar Hill neighbors. Gathering and listening to these stories is an ongoing process. What we are learning, we are painting. These stories define who we are as a people, as a community and city. What makes us unique and creates an ambiance of tranquility? Knowing our stories, our roots is critical to maintaining our identity. 

The Festival came with a few unexpected perks. Famed muralist David Tineo arrived to paint a mural and canvases he left for youth to finish. Imagine getting to finish a master artists work as a young artist. Artists painted, and cleaned the area. We also cleaned up the Bronx Wash area, removing many bags of trash form the site. The other surprise was an intervention by the Arts Foundation for Southern Arizona, who cite an anonymous call "reporting" our murals a month before the festival, causing a delay to this day (as of 6/7/18). We learned about Tucson's written cultural policy (COT Administrative Directive 7) and started the process of advocating for neighborhood arts resources. While our festival received no funding, we realized that resources do exist, but are being diverted to expensive works of public art that often don't reflect the needs, concerns, voices, suggestions and history of residents. The delay was a shock and disappointment for artists and neighbors, but as always we took a bad situation and made some good come from it. 

We have more neighborhood Story Circles planned for Sugar Hill. One of the muralists, Sadie Shaw, became president of the North West Neighborhood Association, 13 new murals were created, the once secretive AFSA Artist "pre-qualified" list is now open for all to apply to, and conversations about Arts Based Solutions to Community Needs are being discussed. A door has opened to the AFSA, and our work falling more into synchronicity with each conversation. In our work there are always unexpected adventures, twists and turns. We live in a community that values civic participation, and if you find a problem and are willing to help solve it good things emerge.

Sadie Shaw: Family Stories

Teresa Diane Altamirano

Annalisa Loevenguth

David Tineo

Sabrina Vincent

Tanya Alvarez

Delbert Antone

Xaivier Ringer

Jessa Hudgens

Julian Argote

Caressa Wittwer

Michael Schwartz - El Hombre De Maiz (for my father)

Sharon Pederson

We were shocked and saddened that our local arts agency (Arts Foundation for Southern Arizona) gave us a multi-month run around, many artists didn't participate due to lack of wall space.