From Start to Finish: Facilitating Art in Public Spaces

​Placemaking has become a pillar at Quad City Arts over the past few years, and we are thankful that we have a collection of cities that believe in the power of the arts in their placemaking efforts.

Placemaking is central to the mission at Quad City Arts, reflecting our commitment to harnessing the transformative power of the arts. We recognize the essential role that placemaking plays in crafting vibrant public spaces that foster connection, community, and cultural enrichment. While placemaking encompasses various elements beyond art, our focus at Quad City Arts is on leveraging artistic endeavors to achieve these goals. By working collaboratively, we aim to create beloved spaces that not only elevate the aesthetic of our cities but also strengthen the bonds among the community. The integration of the arts in placemaking aligns perfectly with our mission, demonstrating the profound impact that art can have in shaping dynamic and engaging community environments.

Quad City Arts has been a vocal advocate for the arts and our vibrant artists' community for many years, a commitment we continue to uphold. Our advocacy extends to promoting public art in our community, establishing sustainable funding models for the arts, and making public art projects more accessible. We support and facilitate these projects, making them a reality for our community.

How does Quad City Arts facilitate a project? This varies from project to project. In all projects we facilitate, we try to make it as easy as possible for the client to bring the project to fruition. We provide information, but we do not select the artist or the artwork; that is for the client and their community to decide.

A project can be divided into four phases: planning, artist selection, project, and wrap-up.

The Planning Phase:

• Meet with the client: Every project starts the same way. We meet with the client to learn about their dream project(s). This meeting is part brainstorming and part dreaming as we let our imaginations run wild.
• Identify potential sites: We work with our clients to help determine the best location for the project. This also involves connecting with building and land owners if the client does not own this.
• Navigate legal requirements: There are many nuances when it comes to public art. Do you have to have a permit? Do you need approval from a governmental agency? Do you need a contract with a land or building owner? Do you need a contract with the artist? Do you need insurance? What are the copyright issues? How do you protect your artist's intellectual property?
• Estimate costs: Using all of the information gathered, we estimate costs, including, but not limited to, Artist fees, equipment needs, permits required, insurance required, travel costs, hotel costs, supply costs, landscaping needs, electrical, and construction costs.
  
  

The Artist Selection Phase:

• Call for artists: Once the client has approved things, we create and advertise a call for artists. Quad City Arts prefers a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) approach whenever possible. This approach allows an artist to submit their previous works to be considered for the project.
• Reviewing Submissions: Quad City Arts reviews submissions for completion and removes incomplete submissions before delivering them to the client in an easily reviewable format.
• Public Input: Quad City Arts encourages public input. We believe that public art should be chosen by the communities it will be going into. This could involve the local businesses and residents in meetings, online surveys, social media, or a public event like the one Quad City Arts and the Rock Island Downtown Alliance hosted at Rozz-Tox for Arts Alley. ** Public input can happen in multiple places throughout the process. **
• Selecting Finalists: After initial submissions have been reviewed, Quad City Arts facilitates a meeting to select finalists. This involves conversations about different art styles, representation, goals of the project, etc.
• Design: Quad City Arts shares information with the selected finalists, and artists begin designing the public art project. Artists are paid a stipend for their design, which remains their intellectual property.
• Selecting the Artist: Another meeting with the client is hosted to select the artist. The client also chooses a backup artist if something does not work out.
• Artist Background: Quad City Arts contacts references before contracting with the artist.

The Project Phase

• Contracting: At this time, Quad City Arts secures contracts from all parties involved: building/land owners, artists, contractors, etc.
• Logistics: Quad City Arts coordinates all the logistics and timeframes for the project. This may include equipment delivery, contractor timing (priming, landscaping, electrical, etc.), lodging needs, transportation needs, and supplies.
• Beginning the project: After all this work, the artist can finally bring the client's vision to life!
• Media: Quad City Arts wants to spread the word while a project is happening! We coordinate interviews with the artists, social media postings, and press releases, and we can coordinate additional media assets like drone footage or time-lapse videos if requested.
  
  

The Wrap-Up Phase

• Wrap-up: Quad City Arts will work to make sure everything is finished and equipment is returned. The location is finally assessed for cleaning needs depending on unveiling plans.
• Unveiling: Finally, it is time to celebrate a newly completed public art project with an unveiling, a ribbon cutting, a party, or any other celebration the client would like to celebrate their success!

Quad City Arts is championing the integration of art into the fabric of our communities through impactful placemaking, we are dedicated to realizing the visions of our clients and enriching the cultural landscape of our community. By facilitating every phase of public art projects—from the initial planning and artist selection to the logistical execution and celebratory unveiling—we ensure that each project not only meets but exceeds community expectations. Our approach not only supports the creation of spaces that resonate with public affinity but also reinforces the indispensable role of art in fostering vibrant, connected communities. We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate, create, and celebrate the transformative power of public art together with our community partners and local artists.
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