call for artists - Alameda County

Alameda County Arts Commission P.O. Box 29004 Oakland, CA 94604-9004 t (510) 208-9646 f (510) 271-5192 www.acgov.org/arts

3/23/11

CALL FOR ARTISTS Ashland Youth Center: Small-Scale Artwork Commission Program Application Deadline: Friday, May 13, 2011 (10:59pm Pacific Time) The Alameda County Arts Commission will administer this program with "Percent for Art" funds generated by County of Alameda capital projects.

GENERAL INFORMATION Alameda County artists are invited to submit their qualifications for a new Small-Scale Artwork Commission Program managed by the Alameda County Arts Commission. This program will commission artists to produce a new series of work in the studio. At the end of the contract period, the artists’ work will be acquired by the County and installed at the Ashland Youth Center (AYC). Four artists will be accepted for this program and commissioned to produce a new series of two-dimensional or low-relief, wall mounted artwork. The artwork will be installed at locations throughout the AYC including gathering, social, and meeting spaces and the AYC’s Wellness Center. This is an opportunity for professional artists who are: • Making youth-focused artwork • Are interested in youth empowerment and working with diverse communities; • Making artwork that contributes to safe, supportive, and healing environments and is positive and uplifting. The Ashland Youth Center is a new construction project that will be located in the unincorporated community of Ashland in Alameda County and is part of a larger complex which will include a new recreation area, an expanded park, and dedicated skate park. The facility will serve youth ages 11-24 and will house high-quality and innovative programs and services in the following areas: Health & Wellness, Recreation, Arts & Culture, Education, and Employment Training & Job Placement. The AYC will be located on East 14th Street at 163rd Avenue. Construction of the Center will begin in 2011 and the facility is scheduled to open to the public in late 2012. ARTIST ELIGIBILITY This opportunity is open to professional artists who live, are permanently employed, or rent/own an artist's studio in Alameda County. The cities and communities of Alameda County include: Alameda, Albany, Ashland, Berkeley, Castro Valley, Cherryland, Dublin, Emeryville, Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Newark, Oakland, Piedmont, Pleasanton, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Sunol, Union City, and other unincorporated areas. Proof of residence, permanent employment, or business ownership within County borders is required. To qualify as an “Alameda County artist” for this project, the artist must minimally live, own a business or be employed on a continuous basis within the County of Alameda for the duration of the entire project, from the point at which the application is delivered through the final acceptance of artwork. Based on County policy, Alameda County employees are not eligible to apply for this program. Artists who have received a contract for one of the other public art projects at the Ashland Youth Center are not eligible. There are no other eligibility restrictions on artists who have received contracts from the Alameda County Arts Commission in the past; all other artists who meet the criteria above are eligible to apply.

AYC: Sm Scale Commission Prog RFQ

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Note: Artists who are currently in the Arts Commission’s Artist Registry for Small-Scale Commission Projects will automatically be considered for this opportunity with their work currently on file. Artists who wish to submit new work for consideration must submit a new application for review. Contact the Arts Commission office with any questions. COMMISSION AWARD AMOUNTS The total budget for the Small Scale Artwork Commission Program at the Ashland Youth Center is approximately $16,000. The Arts Commission has a goal of commissioning both emerging and mid-career artists for this program but is not required to do so; the emphasis will be placed on selecting artists whose work is best suited for the Ashland Youth Center community. Below is an example of how the commissions may be awarded (subject to change): • Two Emerging artists will be commissioned to each create a series of artworks (up to 4) with a total value/contract amount of approximately $3,000; • Two Mid-career artists will be commissioned to each create a series of artworks (up to 4) with a total value/contract amount of approximately $4,800; The Arts Commission staff will work with the selected artists to determine the number of artworks that the artists will produce for the program, the artwork dimensions, and the value of the artwork based on the artists' written proposal and past sales of similar works. The Arts Commission will be responsible for the costs and management associated with the framing and installation of the artwork. The number of artists selected in each category, the number of artworks commissioned, and the budget allocation for each artist is subject to change based on the selected artists' proposals and an evaluation of the applicant pool. Note: Established artists are also welcome to apply for this opportunity but must be willing to work within the contract amounts as described above. Established artists should select the “mid-career” category on the application. PARAMETERS FOR ARTWORK The commissioned artwork will be displayed on walls and be between 11" H x 11" W and 50" H x 50" W, may not exceed 2" in depth, and may not exceed 25 lbs in weight. Commissioned artists will be required to use the most archival and durable materials possible as related to their concept. ARTWORK THEMES For this program, artists should develop concepts that align with the Ashland Youth Center’s mission, guiding principles, core values and services (please refer to information included at the end of this document). To learn more about the Ashland Youth Center visit: http://ashlandyouthcenterproject.org/ YOUTH AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COMPONENT The Alameda County Arts Commission recognizes that: youth serve as the inspiration for the construction of the project and should be involved in the public art program process as future users of the facility and that youth are integral in the program plan design. Groups of youth have been actively engaged at many stages of the development of this project, as well as adult community members. It is essential that the selected artists be willing to meet with youth, and be respectful of youth perspectives, opinions, and experiences. Once the selected artists are under contract, there may be the opportunity to meet and/or collaborate with local youth although there is no requirement to do so. If the selected artists are interested in such a collaboration, the Arts Commission staff will help facilitate the interaction. APPLICATION PROCESS Applications for the AYC Small-Scale Artwork Commission Program must be submitted online through the CaFÉ™ website (www.callforentry.org). There is no application fee to apply or to use the CaFÉ™ online application system. Applicants must submit through CaFÉ™ to be considered; no slides or hard copy materials will be accepted. Incomplete submissions will not be accepted. For complete entry requirements and instructions go to: www.callforentry.org, register a username and password, navigate to “Apply to Calls”, and search the list for “Alameda County Arts Commission – Ashland Youth Center”.


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If you are still using slides and paper materials and need help converting them to digital format, please contact the Arts Commission office. Assistance in using the CaFÉ™ system is available during regular business hours (Mountain Time) by calling (888) 562-7232, or via email at [email protected]. Applications must include the following: • Letter of Interest: Briefly describe your relevant experience, philosophy and approach to the project, your interest in this project (specifically your interest in youth and the AYC’s mission, guiding principles, core values and services), and what you might bring to this unique facility. (5,000 character maximum); • Images of Past Work: Submit ten (10) images of past work that demonstrate your qualifications for this project. Artwork must be original and have been created within the last five (5) years. Submissions shall be completed electronically through the CaFÉ™ system. (Instructions on how to format images to CaFÉ™ specifications can be found on the CaFÉ™ website under Image Prep.) • Annotated Image List: Submissions must also include a list of the images, including artist’s name, artwork title, dimensions, materials, year of completion, brief description of artwork, commissioning agency, project budget. Image list should correspond with titled image files. • Résumé: Submit a current résumé that outlines your professional accomplishments as an artist. The résumé must not exceed four pages. • Professional References: Include the names, addresses, email addresses and phone numbers of three professional references. • Artist Category: The Arts Commission has a goal of commissioning both emerging and mid-career artists for this program but is not required to do so; the emphasis will be placed on selecting artists whose work is best suited for the Ashland Youth Center and community. Applicants must select the Artist Category that best describes their professional development. Artists will be reviewed, based on their level of professional development. The Arts Commission Staff may alter the artist's selected category to ensure a fair and balanced evaluation of the applicant pool. Please select one of the 2 categories – Emerging Artist: An emerging artist, for purposes of this program, has developed a professional body of work and has participated in some group exhibitions but has not yet had a solo exhibition in a "mainstream" art gallery, art museum or notable non-profit venue. The artist may have minimal experience showing their work in public venues. Mid-Career Artist: A mid-career artist, for the purposes of this program, has been a professional practicing visual artist for three to seven years and during the last five years has had one solo exhibition and/or at least 3 group exhibitions in commercial galleries, art museums and/or notable non-profit venues. SELECTION CRITERIA The following selection criteria will be used during all phases of review: • Artistic excellence and originality. • Appropriateness of artist's medium, style, and experience as they relate to the project goals and setting and/or adequate professional experience to meet the requirements of this project. • Artist's ability to respond creatively and uniquely to the community-related conditions inherent to the project. • The selected artist must also be willing to meet with youth, and be respectful of youth perspectives, opinions, and experiences. SELECTION PROCESS Step 1: An artist selection panel will be appointed by the Arts Commission and will be comprised of youth and adult community members, local artists and arts professionals, and staff who will work at the facility. The selection panel will review and rank the images in multiple stages. The first stage may include a review of only the first 3 images submitted (images 1, 2, and 3). Consider this when submitting your images. The selection panel will review applicants' qualifications and select up to 8 individual artists as semi-finalists for the program. Semi-finalists will be paid an honorarium of $125 to attend a project information meeting (including a meeting with staff and youth and adult community members) and to create a conceptual proposal describing the new series of artwork they would create if accepted into AYC: Sm Scale Commission Prog RFQ

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the program. Depending on the number of applicants and any other conditions that may develop, a preliminary review may be added to the selection process. Step 2: At a second convening of the panel, the panel will interview the semi-finalists and the semi-finalists will present examples of their actual past artwork, as well as their initial conceptual proposals. Upon completion of all interviews, the panel will recommend approximately 4 artists for acceptance into the program. The panel's recommendation must be approved by the Public Art Advisory Committee and the members of the Alameda County Arts Commission before contracts for the project can be issued. All artists who apply will receive electronic notification of the results of the selection process. Notification will be sent to the email address supplied when applying through CaFÉ. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS • The artist selected and approved by the Arts Commission shall be asked to enter into contract with the County of Alameda for the entire duration of the project. Depending on the specific scope of the project, prior to the issuance and throughout the duration of the contract, artists will be required to maintain various types of insurance, such as General Liability, Automobile Liability, and other insurance as required by the County. For more information, please review the County's Minimum Insurance Requirements currently posted on the Arts Commission’s website. • Commissioned artists will be required to use the most archival and durable materials possible as related to their concept. TIMELINE (exact dates to be determined, all dates subject to change) Application Deadline: Friday, May 13, 2011 (10:59pm Pacific Time) 1st Artist Selection Panel Meeting (Review Digital Images and application materials): July 2011 Applicants Notified of Standing (via email): Late July 2011 Project Information meeting: August 2011 Semi-Finalists’ Initial Written Conceptual Proposals Due: September 2011 2nd Artist Selection Panel Meeting (Semi-finalists' Interviews): September or October 2011 Arts Commission Review & Approval of Recommended Artists: November 2011 Artists Under Contract: December 2011 – June 2012 Contracts Completed: June 2012 AYC Opens to the Public: Late 2012 ABOUT THE ASHLAND YOUTH CENTER To learn more about the Ashland Youth Center visit: http://ashlandyouthcenterproject.org/ As early as 2004, a group of Ashland youth began mobilizing in their community to discuss their needs and concerns. They presented their concerns and possible solutions to Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley’s Ashland Violence Prevention Collaborative. One of the solutions included a recommendation for a youth center to provide recreation, social, health and economic opportunities. The youth became involved in the Eden Area Livability Initiative (EALI) process and the youth center became one of the top five priorities identified at a community charette in 2008, where over 300 community members voted. Youth have played a pivotal role in making the youth center a reality and they will remain at the forefront of its development. The Ashland Youth Center is a new construction project that will be located in the unincorporated community of Ashland in Alameda County and is part of a larger complex which will include a new recreation area, an expanded park, and a dedicated skate park. The facility will serve youth ages 11-24 and will house high-quality and innovative programs and services in the following areas: Health & Wellness, Recreation, Arts & Culture, Education, and Employment Training & Job Placement. The AYC will be located on East 14th Street at 163rd Avenue. Construction of the Center will begin in 2011 and the facility is scheduled to open to the public in late 2012. The Ashland Youth Center is uniquely positioned to address adolescent health disparities through its comprehensive model and multi-stakeholder involvement. The construction of the AYC is projected to be AYC: Sm Scale Commission Prog RFQ

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completed in December 2012. Recently, youth have been involved in the facility design process, public art program, and with the initial development of the AYC’s vision, mission, and core values. The AYC’s working vision, mission and core values read as follow: Vision: Youth have the personal motivation, capacity and resources to improve their community. Mission: Through a collaborative approach that maximizes community assets, AYC provides the training, education, enrichment and health services required to connect youth to employment, individual stability, a sense of place and belonging and a connection to a positive family environment. Core Values: • We exist to empower youth • We exist to create positive change • We exist to maximize community assets • We exist to honor and support the things that are important to our community Ashland Youth Center Philosophy The following are some of the fundamental beliefs that will guide the operation of the AYC: 1. Youth and community as assets: Every youth and resident is a community asset. This belief is heavily rooted in a notion that every individual possesses skills and talents that can be utilized to benefit our community. Often times, these assets require sufficient time, effort, and inclusive processes. 2. Programs make promises, but people keep them: Our work is very much relationship driven. Despite the dire need for services, or the attractiveness of a program, a youth is likely to access services and/or maintain participation in a program if the offer comes from a person whom they respect and trust. This is why it is so important to ensure that youth are exposed to adults who care about them and understand and are committed to the vision, mission, and core values of the AYC. 3. All youth deserve a safe haven, but also need to have a plan in order to reach their full potential: Unfortunately, many of our youth live in dangerous neighborhoods. All teens need a place where they can be kids. A place that provides one of their basic needs—safety. At the same time, this place must also provide youth a sense of belonging, competence, influence, and usefulness. In order for a place to offer this, a youth must have opportunities to assess where they are and where they want to go. The staff serves the role of facilitators and support agents. 4. Strengthen the support system of youth: The AYC exists to support the development of youth. A youth’s ability to take a step in the right direction is, to a large extent, dependent on the readiness level of that youth’s support system (e.g., family, teacher, mentor, etc.). The AYC will work in partnership with the youth’s support system to ensure the appropriate development of each young person. 5. Collaborations and partnerships allow us to maximize collective resources and build capacity: Team effort is central to the operations of the AYC. All partners must develop and maintain a collective vision. The AYC will serve as a “hub” for innovative and high-quality programming and services. A role of the AYC will be to link partners and create mechanisms for services to reinforce and build on one another. In many cases, the AYC will not “reinvent the wheel”, but instead, will allocate resources to help build the capacity of our partners to increase effectiveness and efficiency. 6. Mutual Respect: One of the central ingredients that will sustain the spirit of the AYC is to give and receive respect across multiple levels. This ranges from people taking the time to listen and really try to understand each other’s view points to a person merely acknowledging the presence of another by simply saying “hi”. 7. Public Relations: The manner in which we communicate with the community will be open, honest, and consistent. The AYC will use an array of strategies to communicate with various stakeholders in a way that is effective and efficient for them. It is through this kind of communication that stakeholders at many levels will feel a sense of ownership and willingness to contribute to the success of the Youth Center.


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Demographic and Health Information for Ashland and Neighboring Cities (source: AC Public Health Dept.) • Cherryland and Ashland have the 1st and 2nd highest all-cause age-adjusted mortality rates in the County, respectively. • Hayward, San Lorenzo, Cherryland and Ashland have the highest diabetes mortality rates in the County, respectively. • Cherryland and Ashland have the highest unemployment rates in the County, respectively. • Cherryland, Ashland and Hayward have the highest teen birth rates in the County, respectively. • Over half (54%) of the respondents of the SLZ Resilience Survey from SLZ Initiative disagreed/strongly disagreed that youth are involved in making important decisions in their community. • San Lorenzo has one of the most diverse school populations in the County. There is a large ethnic diversity in the region with Hispanic (48.4), White (14.8), African-American (14.8), and Asian (11.2) students being the largest groups. Ashland Youth Community Assets Snapshot Ashland benefits from engaged youth representing diverse ethnic communities that have a desire to impact their community. There is large ethnic diversity in the region. There is also a large English learner community. Some of the languages represented are: Spanish, Tagalog, Cantonese and Vietnamese. Youth’s Vision for Center & Community “This Center will be a place where youth can come and feel safe and connected. It will bring up people’s spirits and they will have a more positive outlook on things, and that will make anybody feel better.” - Roy Terry, Age 18, Ashland Youth “We consider this [Ashland Youth Center] like a safe haven for kids in this community. We need to educate kids because it’s one thing to give kids a place to hang out, but it’s another thing to educate them while giving them a place to hang out.” - Lamont Thompson, Age 19, Ashland Youth ABOUT THE ALAMEDA COUNTY ARTS COMMISSION The Alameda County Arts Commission (ACAC) is a division of the County of Alameda governed by a 22member commission appointed by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors to enhance and enrich the County through the arts. The Alameda County Arts Commission is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Alameda County by nurturing a thriving environment for the arts and for cultural activities; promoting economic opportunities for Alameda County's artists and arts organizations through programs such as arts grants, public art, and art in education; encouraging public participation in the arts and actively advocating for the arts. With guidance from the Public Art Advisory Committee, the Alameda County Arts Commission Office administers the Public Art Program on behalf of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors who established this program through the "2% for Art" ordinance in 1994. The Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC), a body of nine citizens appointed by the Arts Commission, is responsible for the oversight of the Public Art Program including the planning of new project sites and related conditions, budgets, processes for artwork selection and artist eligibility requirements, review of artwork selection panel recommendations, artwork proposals and design revisions. All recommendations made by the PAAC are reviewed by the Arts Commission. The cities and communities of Alameda County include Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Castro Valley, Dublin, Emeryville, Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Newark, Oakland, Piedmont, Pleasanton, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Union City, and other unincorporated areas. FOR MORE INFORMATION For more information about this public art opportunity, contact: Rosa Valdez Public Art Program Coordinator, Alameda County Arts Commission (510) 891-5705 [email protected] AYC: Sm Scale Commission Prog RFQ

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The County of Alameda, through the Alameda County Arts Commission, reserves the right alter any aspect of the selection process or overall project in any way for its own convenience at any time. This Request for Qualifications/Call for Artists does not constitute an agreement to commission artists for the work described herein. Applicants to this program may be considered for commission opportunities related to other projects.


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