Bike Fix-It Station Signs

This project is funded by Rockville’s Art in Public Places program and integrates public art into Rockville’s bikeway trail system. Applications will be accepted from public artists residing in Maryland, Northern Virginia, or Washington, DC. Rockville’s Department of Public Works recently installed five bike fix-it stations in the trail network. The Art in Public Places program has the opportunity for a public artist to create one sign for each station for a total of five signs. One public artist or one group of public artists will be contracted to research the neighborhoods or areas where the signs are located and then design, fabricate, and install a sign, its post, and footer at each fix-it station. 

The all-inclusive project budget is $50,000. It is expected that all project costs, including the artist’s fee, stamped engineering drawings, materials, fabrication, delivery, and other applicable costs will be covered by this budgeted amount.

About the Bike Fix-It Station Project 

This project is funded by Rockville’s Art in Public Places program and integrates public art into Rockville’s bikeway trail system. The City of Rockville included the vision for a safe and multimodal transportation system in its Comprehensive Plan and providing fix-it stations throughout bicycling trails encourages and supports people to use bikes as an alternative transportation method. Rockville’s Department of Public Works recently installed five bike fix-it stations in the trail network. The Art in Public Places program now has the opportunity for a public artist to create one sign for each station for a total of five signs. One public artist or one group of public artists will be contracted to research the neighborhoods or areas where the signs are located and then design, fabricate, and install a sign, its post, and footer at each fix-it station. 

Project Vision and Goal 

The vision of this project is to provide artful signs that visually communicate to cyclists and trail users that they have arrived at a bike fix-it station. It is envisioned that the signs would incorporate visual depictions of an historical or unique aspect of the neighborhood or area where a fix-it station is located and may include directions to other neighborhoods or trails in the network. Each sign can be different and distinct, while still fitting into an overall theme.  

The goal of the project is to visually communicate to trail users that they have arrived at a bike fix-it station in an artful and engaging way. 

Parameters for the Artwork 

Signs may include text and images and must comply with city code’s Zoning Ordinance. Each sign should be scaled in an appropriate size for the fix-it stations and the design should include the post and footer for each sign. Signs should be fabricated using high-quality steel. High-quality aluminum may be considered. Incorporating color is encouraged, and Tnemec paint is a preferred paint for finishing the signs. The artist will be required to guarantee the quality of work for two years after installation and signs are expected to last ten to fifteen years with reasonable maintenance requirements performed by the city. Prior to installation, the signs will need to be reviewed and approved by the city. Review and approval will be coordinated by city staff managing the project.

Budget 

The all-inclusive budget for the project is $50,000. It is expected that all project costs, including the artist’s fee, stamped engineering drawings, materials, fabrication, delivery, installation, and other applicable costs will be covered by this budgeted amount. 

Selection Process 

The selection process for this project will be limited to public artists residing in the Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, DC region. The process is: 

• Artists submit materials for consideration.
• The Art Selection Committee reviews proposals and identifies up to two finalists and may select one alternate.
• Finalists will be provided more detailed information on the project, including locations of the bike fix-it stations, community engagement responses, an invitation to meet with stakeholders and visit the stations, and a $750 honorarium to develop and present a site-specific proposal to the Art Selection Committee. Finalists will assume complete responsibility and liability for any and all site visits.
• Site specific proposals are presented to the Art Selection Committee.
• The Art Selection Committee reviews proposals and selects one artist to recommend for the project award.
• The Cultural Arts Commission’s Public Art Committee is presented with the Art Selection Committee's recommendation and votes to forward the recommendation to the Cultural Arts Commission.
• The Cultural Arts Commission’s recommendation is forwarded to the City of Rockville Mayor and Council for consideration and final award of the public art commission.
• The selected artist is contracted with the City of Rockville.
• Target timeline for installation is calendar year 2027 or 2028. The City of Rockville reserves the ability to adjust this timetable as required during the selection and development process.

Applicants must submit the following materials to be considered: 

• A CaFE application including:
• CV or Resume - Uploaded as a pdf separate document and should include link(s) to the artist's website and/or social media platforms.
• Public Art Experience - Uploaded as a separate pdf document, a list of three recent public art commissions and contact information for each project.
• References - Uploaded as a separate pdf document, a list of three references including the reference's name, email address, and organizational affiliation.
• Work Samples - Submit one pdf document of up to five (5) images of past works and list title, media, location, year created, and budget for each artwork.
  • At least three of the images should be of the most recent three projects.
  • No AI generated images will be accepted and will automatically disqualify the application from consideration.
  • All work samples must be of works already completed and installed. No renderings will be accepted and, if included, will automatically disqualify the application from consideration.
  • All work samples must be of artworks created by the artist submitting the application. The applicant may not include or take credit for other artists’ work or materials, such as a website and/or social media platforms.
• Artist Statement - Include a brief description of your artistic practice and community engagement methods.
• If a group is applying, the group should submit one application with supporting CVs for each member of the group and a relevant portfolio of work the group has successfully completed.

This Request for Qualifications is open to established public artists who: 

• Reside in the Maryland, Northern Virginia, Washington, DC metro region.
• Have a portfolio of their completed artworks and work history demonstrating the ability to successfully complete this project.
• Can demonstrate experience directly engaging with communities on the design of a public artwork.
• Are experienced conducting research to incorporate the history and/or unique aspects of a place into their public artworks.
• Have the skill and ability to design the artwork in the specified space and its associated parameters, select the appropriate materials, and successfully fabricate and install the artwork.
• Are eligible to work in the United States.

The artist who is awarded the proposal must:

• Be in good standing with the state of Maryland and register with Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation as a business entity.
• Maintain liability insurance during the design, fabrication, and installation stages of the project.