Niagara Falls Exchange Public Art Project
Main Street Plaza

NOTE: This is a condensed version of the full Call. Please ensure you read the ENTIRE RFPQ before proceeding. All Appendices are included with the full Call.

Bid Opportunities | City of Niagara Falls, Canada RFPQ13-2021 – Request for Pre-Qualification of Artists for the Niagara Falls Exchange Public Art Project

Closing Date: June 2, 2021

The Corporation of the City of Niagara Falls is seeking Request for Pre-Qualification (RFPQ) from qualified Canadian artists or creative artist teams for an original work of public art, to be located in the Mail Street Plaza of the upcoming Niagara Falls Exchange.

Through this Request for Pre-Qualification the City’s intention is to identify and pre-qualify and “short-list” five (5) artists or creative artist teams to participate in a Request for Proposal (RFP). Of the shortlisted respondents selected, it is the City’s intent to provide a stipend to produce a detailed design concept. Once a design is selected, the successful artist or creative team will be contracted by the City to finalize the design, and undertake fabrication and installation of the artwork, working with a budget of $90,000 (ninety thousand dollars).

The Corporation of the City of Niagara Falls is looking to commission an original, site-specific, free standing, permanent work of public art in the Main Street Plaza that is currently being constructed at the Niagara Falls Exchange, between the two buildings – a market hall and cultural hub- located in the Main and Ferry neighbourhood.

An artwork proposal is not requested at this time.

In early 2021, a series of online focus groups with the Public Art Task Force, local residents, and business owners (representing various backgrounds and knowledge of the community and site), were conducted by City staff to determine the goals for this public art project.

Artist’s proposals will be scored, in part, on how successfully they address the following outlines as determined by the focus group and the Public Art Advisory Task Force.

The proposed Public Artwork(s) will include some or all of the following:

• Become a relevant community feature which will engage a diverse public audience over time;
• Reflect a strong relationship to the site and context; Be a celebratory expression of the Niagara Falls community;
• Advance the Niagara Falls Exchange as an arts and cultural destination;

Artists and creative teams are asked to:

• Deliver a bold visual or other sensory impact;
• Spark opportunities for social engagement.

Submissions containing fountains or running water will not be accepted.

SITE DESCRIPTION

The identified site for the installation of free-standing public art is focused within the Main Street Plaza, located at the western edge of the property, facing Main Street (refer to Appendix D – Niagara Falls Exchange Main Street Plaza – Public Art Accommodation (External link)), designed as a flexible use court accommodating event overflow on the site as well as supporting events at the Niagara History Museum.

Design of Main Street Plaza:

• Main Street Plaza is intended as an urban, hardscaped plaza providing pedestrian access to the main lobby as well as cafe from Main Street, and accommodating public gatherings.
• A series of concrete planters are located along the northern edge of the Plaza, assisting in retaining earth as well as providing shade and landscape interest.
• The accessible path of travel to the building entrances runs along the northern edge of these planters, whereas their southern edge includes seating elements and provides containment to the Plaza.

Location of Public Art Plinth:

The concrete platform designed to accommodate a piece of permanent free-standing public art is located at the eastern edge of “Planter B”, circled in the diagram in Appendix D.

The artwork will be integrated into the existing landscape design. Technical information will be provided as part of the RFP phase.

BUDGET

The all-inclusive budget of $90,000 (ninety thousand dollars will include all costs directly associated with the artwork: Design fees, fabrication & materials, engineering drawings, equipment, freight and transportation and installation, as well as insurance, contract administration, travel and other incidental expenses.

PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT FEE

For respondents/artists shortlisted for the Request for Proposal there will be an honorarium of $2,000 for the respondent/artists development and preparation of the proposal, and for travel expenses incurred in any site visits agreed upon.

For the full call please visit the Bid Opportunities page: Bid Opportunities | City of Niagara Falls, Canada RFPQ13-2021 – Request for Pre-Qualification of Artists for the Niagara Falls Exchange Public Art Project