Call-to-Artist: Stage 1 -Expression of Interest and Qualifications
By: City of Kelowna Public Art Program
Project: Interactive / Digital Artwork for Boyce-Gyro Beach Park
Budget: $120,000 CAD
Submit by: 4pm PT. April 17, 2019
Public Art Opportunity
City of Kelowna Public Art Program
Image: Cycling Heat Map at Boyce-Gyro Park. Credit: Dropbike.
Commission Brief
The City of Kelowna, through its Public Art Program, announces an open international competition to commission a unique and original artwork to be placed within one of the City’s most popular parks – Boyce-Gyro Beach Park. The commission presents an opportunity to recognize people’s active lifestyle and commitment to healthy and alternative modes of movement. The full call-out document with more information can be found at the project link below.
The City’s intent for this public art piece is an artistic and creative exploration of the emotive aspects of cycling such as: celebration, motivation, sustainability, community, etc. The artwork is envisioned to have major digital and/or interactive component(s) incorporated into its design. Input sources to animate the art piece are at the Artist’s discretion. Artists should have experience in multi-media, digital and electronic based art forms and technically proficient in manipulating computer coded data into a variety of sensory and cognitive experiences that will be situated within an outdoor, publicly accessible, environment.
To promote and encourage more cycling, the City of Kelowna has recently adopted a pilot bikeshare program called Dropbike. Since its launch in the spring of 2018, the Dropbikeprogram has been an overwhelming success. Data collected has demonstrated a strong demand and support for cycling as an alternative mode of transportation within the city. In addition, the City’s Integrated Transportation Department currently uses an Eco-Countermanagement system to track cyclist and pedestrian usage across the City and data collected can be accessed and used by the artist as part of the artwork’s interactive component. Given the value of the commission, the artwork is expected to have a minimum 10 year operational lifespan, with an opportunity to upgrade components to further extend the artwork’s life beyond this period.
Kelowna’s integrated transportation network. Credit: City of Kelowna
Budget
A budget of $120,000 CAD has been allocated for the commissioning of the artwork. This sum is inclusive of all artists’ fees, technical consulting fees (including engineered drawings), insurance requirements, fabrication, installation, documentation, travel expenses and all other related costs.
Selection Process
This is the first of a two-stage selection process. As part of the first stage, a selection of up to five (5) shortlisted artists will be determined by the City’s public art selection committee based on demonstrated experience and perceived abilities in the following areas: excellence in public art; experience and technical proficiency in use of digital display artwork; artistic merit and originality; and technical considerations.
Submission Requirements
This is open international competition to all professional artists and artist-led teams as defined by the Canada Council for the Arts. This first stage does not require the preparation of a design proposal. Artists are to submit their letter of expression of interest, along with CV and examples of their works, to the City of Kelowna prior to the deadline closure: 4pm PT. April 17, 2019.
All submissions and enquiries pertaining to this call-out are to be done electronically by registering and accessing at following link: https://kelowna.bonfirehub.ca/portal