OPEN CALL FOR MURALISTS - ​REQUEST FOR Qualifications
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The Moline Public Art Commission and Quad City Arts are seeking an artist (or artist team) to design and install a vibrant, interactive public mural on an exterior wall at Bass Street Landing Plaza located at 1601 River Drive, Moline, Illinois. The artist (or artist team) must reside in Rock Island, Henry, or Mercer County in Illinois, or Scott, Muscatine, or Clinton County in Iowa. Bass Street Landing Plaza is a lively venue, home to a popular summer concert series and a splash pad. The mural's location will be adjacent to the stage, making it visible during concerts and perfect for photo opportunities at events.

The Plaza at Bass Street Landing offers a unique and fun venue for outdoor events, festivals, and gatherings. A raised performance stage with a dramatic white canopy anchors the plaza, creating a focal point for performances. At the east end of the plaza, a fountain gateway invites visitors to a splash pad fountain area where children and families can play and cool off. Throughout the plaza, "string lighting" provides a warm, inviting atmosphere, especially at night. This bustling hub for community interaction and musical enjoyment is the ideal canvas for a mural that encourages engagement and memorable photo poses.

This addition to Moline's public art collection aims to enhance community pride, improve local quality of life, beautify the area, and foster creative placemaking. It will also increase public awareness of visual arts in Moline, making the mural a fun destination for residents and visitors alike.
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MEASUREMENTS:
The wall's paintable surface is approximately 22’ long with a sloping roofline starting at 11’4” tall and decreasing to 9’4”. Every inch of the wall does not need to be painted. Renderings are attached at the end of the document.
 
PAYMENT
$4,000— 50% to be paid upon starting 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 that baker scaffolding will be provided if needed. 

All selected finalists who are asked to submit a design proposal will receive a $500 stipend.
 
TIMELINE

• Deadline for Submitting Qualifications: Wednesday, September 4th, 2024 at 5:00 PM to form below (www.quadcityarts.com/moline-mural-bass-street)  or [email protected] 
• September: RFQ Review, finalists selected.
• September: Design Proposals Submitted and Design Selected
• October: Pending Artist Schedule Mural Completed

 
TO APPLY

• It is preferred to apply via the form below. If unable to, please email a PDF to [email protected] including the following information:
  • Name, phone number, email, and two 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.
  • Artist availability in August and September

MURAL OBJECTIVES

• This mural will create a must-see destination in Moline and the greater Quad Cities.
• This mural will provide an opportunity for our community to experience art and interact with the mural by posing with it.

 
SELECTION CRITERIA

• Artist (or artist team) must reside in Rock Island, Henry, or Mercer County in Illinois or Scott, Muscatine, or Clinton County in Iowa.

• Award determination shall be based on the selection committee's determination of the design aesthetic, the ability to deliver the mural on time, and the Artist's experience with similar-scale projects.
• Following the proposal deadline, the selection committee will collaboratively review, analyze, and rank all submittals of portfolio work based on the evaluative criteria. 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 necessary actions to investigate each proposer's qualifications. The selection committee reserves the right to qualify or disqualify proposers because they lack 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 best serves the project goals in the judgment of the selection committee.

TO CONSIDER

• This mural should not include any ‘welcome’ verbiage or explicit reference to the City of Moline.
• 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 and sufficient knowledge of both medium and materials to ensure the mural's durability.
• 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 Moline, 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 The Moline Public Art Commission 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 be able to obtain all necessary licenses, permits, and approvals whenever applicable.

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More about the Moline Public Art Commission: http://moline.il.us/1794/Public-Art-Commission
More about the City of Moline: https://visitquadcities.com/plan-your-trip/our-communities/moline

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Renderings of exterior wall in Moline, Illinois
Building will be completed in 2024
1601 River Dr #306, Moline, IL 61265