Arts Alley Murals Project
Request for Qualifications
The Rock Island Downtown Alliance and Quad City Arts are seeking two artists (or artist teams) for the design and installation of two (2) public murals to be created on exterior walls in Rock Island, Illinois. The murals will be on separate concrete walls (one east-facing and one west-facing) at 1719 2nd Avenue, Rock Island, Illinois. The murals will be located in “Arts Alley,” a pedestrian area being redeveloped into a mixed-use space that will feature a decorative walkway, signage and lighting; areas for social gatherings and performances; weatherproof vendor stalls for seasonal pop-up shop programs; and additional art installations. Arts Alley is part of the larger Rebuild Downtown Rock Island Project. For information on Rebuild Downtown Rock Island and the Arts Alley project, visit https://downtownrockisland.org/2023/06/rbdtri/
MEASUREMENTS
The paintable surface of the west wall is approximately: 80’ wide and 28’ high (Mural 1). Every inch of the wall does not need to be painted. Photos are attached at the end of the document.
The paintable surface of the east wall is approximately: 60’ wide and 30’ high (Mural 2). Every inch of the wall does not need to be painted. Photos are attached at the end of the document.
The murals are intended to enhance local quality of life, community pride, beautification, and creative placemaking, as well as increase the public’s awareness of visual arts.
PAYMENT
Mural 1: $33,600 (80’x28’)
Mural 2: $27,000 (60’ x 30’)
For both murals: 50% to be paid upon contract execution and 50% within 2 weeks of completion of the mural. This fee includes all associated costs of creation (i.e., materials, paint, transportation, etc.).
Please note, up to ten days of lodging and a lift will be provided, upon request.
All selected finalists who are asked to submit a design proposal will be paid $500
DEADLINE
Qualifications shall be submitted no later than Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at 5:00 pm via email attachment to Quad City Arts at [email protected] or online at https://www.quadcityarts.com/arts-alley . Submissions shall be clearly labeled “Arts Alley Mural Project.”
MURAL OBJECTIVES
TO CONSIDER
TIMELINE
TO APPLY
SELECTION CRITERIA
MEASUREMENTS
The paintable surface of the west wall is approximately: 80’ wide and 28’ high (Mural 1). Every inch of the wall does not need to be painted. Photos are attached at the end of the document.
The paintable surface of the east wall is approximately: 60’ wide and 30’ high (Mural 2). Every inch of the wall does not need to be painted. Photos are attached at the end of the document.
The murals are intended to enhance local quality of life, community pride, beautification, and creative placemaking, as well as increase the public’s awareness of visual arts.
PAYMENT
Mural 1: $33,600 (80’x28’)
Mural 2: $27,000 (60’ x 30’)
For both murals: 50% to be paid upon contract execution and 50% within 2 weeks of completion of the mural. This fee includes all associated costs of creation (i.e., materials, paint, transportation, etc.).
Please note, up to ten days of lodging and a lift will be provided, upon request.
All selected finalists who are asked to submit a design proposal will be paid $500
DEADLINE
Qualifications shall be submitted no later than Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at 5:00 pm via email attachment to Quad City Arts at [email protected] or online at https://www.quadcityarts.com/arts-alley . Submissions shall be clearly labeled “Arts Alley Mural Project.”
MURAL OBJECTIVES
- This mural will create a must-see destination in Rock Island, the greater Quad Cities and the State of Illinois
- This mural will provide an opportunity for our community to experience art.
TO CONSIDER
- This mural should not include any ‘welcome’ verbiage or explicit reference to the City of Rock Island.
- This mural should not include the river and/or river elements.
- The murals do not need to cover the entirety of the designated space.
- The Artist must have large-scale mural experience, with sufficient knowledge of both medium and materials to ensure the durability of the mural.
- Upon selection, Artist shall procure or otherwise provide proof of commercial general liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence), property damage ($1,000,000 per occurrence), bodily injury ($1,000,000 per occurrence) and automobile liability ($500,000 combined single limit), naming the City of Rock Island, together with its officers, agents, employees and engineers as additional primary insureds prior to commencing mural installation and shall maintain such insurance until completion of the mural.
- The selected Artist must be willing to work with Quad City Arts and Rock Island Downtown Alliance to modify the design or materials based on design input and building specifications.
- Artist shall comply with all federal and state laws, county and municipal codes, ordinances, rules and regulations that in any manner affect the services to be provided.
- A qualifying Artist shall have the ability to obtain all necessary licenses, permits, and approvals, whenever applicable.
TIMELINE
- Questions shall be submitted via email to [email protected] no later than February 1.
- Deadline for proposals: Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at 5:00 pm to [email protected] or online at https://www.quadcityarts.com/arts-alley
- March 15: Finalists will be notified.
- April 5: Finalists will submit designs.
- April 19: Selected Artists will be notified.
- May 31: Murals Completed
TO APPLY
- Email a PDF to [email protected] including the following information or submit online at https://www.quadcityarts.com/arts-alley
- Name, phone number, email, and 2 references with contact info
- Website, Instagram, or other online profiles, if applicable.
- Work samples, including your most recently completed mural.
- A brief bio about you as an artist and your process.
SELECTION CRITERIA
- Award determination shall be based on the selection committee's determination of design aesthetic, ability to deliver the mural on time, and Artist's experience with similar scale projects.
- Following the proposal deadline, the selection committee will collaboratively review, analyze, and rank all submittals based on the evaluative criteria set forth herein. The selection committee may invite finalists to interview before selection. Upon selection, the selected Artist will be required to enter into a contract with Quad City Arts
- The selection committee reserves the right to request additional information from proposers. The selection committee may take all actions deemed necessary to investigate the qualifications of each proposer. The selection committee reserves the right to qualify or disqualify proposers because of a lack of similar project experience and/or any other information obtained from its investigation.
- The selection committee reserves the right to reject all proposals. The selection committee further reserves the right to waive technical defects in the proposals and to accept the proposal which, in the judgment of the selection committee, best serves the project goals.
West Wall (Mural 1)
East Wall (Mural 2)
Rendering of Completed Arts Alley – The Murals shown are for rendering purposes only and not an indication of what the selection committee is looking for.
