McLean Community Center Public Art Project - Typographical Sculpture

McLean Community Center is accepting qualifications from artists or artist teams for a public art project in McLean, Va. The permanent work of art will be installed at 1234 Ingleside Avenue in Spring 2025. The selected artist/team will design, fabricate and install a permanent typographic work of art based on MCC letters/logo that will welcome residents to the McLean Community Center and provide place-making for the area. Artists invited to submit a proposal and interview will receive an honorarium of $500.

MCC is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025, and the sculpture is part of the anniversary plans.

Summary

McLean Community Center is accepting qualifications from artists or artist teams for a public art project in McLean, Va. The permanent work of art will be installed at 1234 Ingleside Avenue in Spring 2025. The selected artist/team will design, fabricate and install a permanent typographic work of art based on MCC letters/logo that will welcome residents to the McLean Community Center and provide place-making for the area. Artists invited to submit a proposal and interview will receive an honorarium of $500.

MCC is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025, and the sculpture is part of the anniversary plans.

Background Information

McLean Community Center (MCC) provides a sense of community for over 50,000 MCC tax district residents through: 

• access to inspirational arts, cultural experiences, learning opportunities, civic engagement and recreational activities;
• support to community organizations;
• and facilities for all MCC tax district residents.

MCC facilities include a theater, galleries, an art studio, meeting and conference rooms, a rehearsal studio, a classroom and commercial kitchen. Local clubs and organizations use MCC for their monthly meetings without charge. Center facilities may be rented for private functions such as business conferences, receptions, parties and recitals.

Dolly Madison Library is located across the street from the installation site.

Scope of Work

The artist/team will be responsible for designing, fabricating and installing a permanent typographic work of art based on MCC letters/logo that will welcome residents to the Center and provide place-making for the area. 

Project Budget

The $80,000 artist fee includes design, materials, fabrication, insurance, travel, packing, shipping, installation and a maintenance plan for the artwork. All necessary site preparation, such as the concrete base and junction box for lighting will be provided by McLean Community Center. However, specifications for the concrete base, if needed, will need to be provided by the artist and approved by MCC.

Installation Site

The installation site is located in a grassy area adjacent to the public sidewalk near the plaza entrance of the building, at the corner of Ingleside Ave. and Oak Ridge Ave. The installation must be placed within the section of the lawn, as outlined in red on the site plan.

Link to Site Plan and images (https://mcleancenter.canto.com/b/LBOLD)

1. Site Plan.
2. Photos of the site.
3. MCC Logos.
4. Model Projects.

Project Design Objectives

• Site-specific, impactful design.
• Increase visibility and identity of the MCC.
• Engage the community in the creation of the artwork.
• Build civic pride by showcasing community characteristics and diversity.

Design Constraints

• Site-specific, impactful design based upon the MCC letters/logo.
• Increase visibility and identity of the MCC.
• Be welcoming.
• Invite Discovery.
• Recognizable from a distance with a strong day and nighttime presence.
• Be engaging from all angles/directions.
• Preference for Interactive elements, such as seating, while ensuring safety.

Schedule   

Application opens…………….......……...... July 3, 2024

Application closes ……………………......... August 16, 2024

Notification of Finalists……………….......... Mid-September 2024

Finalist Submissions due…………….......... October 11, 2024

Finalist Interviews……………………....…... Late October 2024

Artist selection…………………………...….. Early November 2024

Award of Contract(s)………………...............Early November 2024

Final Design Review………………………... January 2025

Installation ……………………..................… April 2025

How to Submit

All interested artists should submit an application with the preliminary submission materials listed below. Applications must be submitted by August 16, 2024.

The following materials will be required to be uploaded:

1. Statement of Interest. Describe your interest in the project and experience working on comparable projects, and preliminary ideas for how you would approach this project. If applying as a team, identify all team members in the statement. (500 words maximum)
2. Resume. Maximum of three pages outlining your professional accomplishments. If submitting as a team, please include resumes for each team member, with each resume being no longer than three pages.
3. Images of Past Work. At least five unique examples of installed past work of similar scope, scale and budget as shown with a minimum of five and a maximum of ten (10) jpg images and up to one video of prior public art projects. Each image must be numbered and include the title, date of completion/installation, media, dimensions (height x width, in feet), location, final project cost and a brief description of the work.
4. Three Professional References, including names, affiliated organizations (if appropriate), email addresses, phone numbers and relationship to each reference. References should be able to speak to your ability to provide services for the public art project.

Selection Process

A panel of stakeholders will select artist/team(s) based on preliminary submission materials and will interview up to four finalists. Preference will be given to local artists. The following criteria will be used to make the selections:

• Artistic merit as evidenced by digital representation of past work.
• Experience of artist/team with projects of similar scale and scope.
• Appropriateness of the artist/team’s medium, style, and previous professional experience as they relate to the goals and site for this project.
• The ability of the artist to successfully work within the project timeline and budget.

Selected Finalists’ Submission Requirements (second round):

1. Written description of project (up to 1000 words), which includes an overview of the concept, description of materials and fabrication method being contemplated; approximate weight and dimensions.
2. Visual illustration(s) of the concept(s) including a rendering in all light conditions; a maquette may also be presented.
3. Site plan to scale showing how artwork will fit into the site.
4. Preliminary budget(s) that address major costs, including materials, fabrication, insurance, installation requirements, transport and fee considerations.
5. W-9 Form.
6. Site Visits are welcome.
7. Selected Finalists should submit required elements by October 11, 2024.

Interviews

In late October 2024 the selection panel will interview up to four finalists. At their interview, artists shall present a preliminary design and budget (30 minutes) and respond to questions (15 minutes) on their proposal. Finalists will receive an honorarium of $500 within 30 days of the presentation interview. 

Final Selection Criteria 

The following criteria will be used to make the final selection:

• Proposed design exhibits strong artistic quality and original vision.
• Past artwork demonstrates proficiency in design and ability to carry out projects of similar scale and scope.
• Proposed design has a strong daytime and nighttime presence.
• Typography is recognizable from a distance.
• The design is integrated into the site.
• Value relative to cost.