OPEN CALL FOR MURALISTS - ​REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
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The Moline Public Art Commission and Quad City Arts are seeking the design and installation of a public mural to be created on an exterior wall in Moline, Illinois. The mural will be on the west-facing brick wall of 1405 5th Avenue, Moline, Illinois, and will be above the patio of a local popular restaurant. The mural will be highly visible as 5th Avenue is a heavily used downtown Moline corridor and blocks away from Mercado on Fifth, the popular night market.
 
Measurements: The paintable surface of the west-facing wall is approximately: 110’ long and 22’ tall. Every inch of the wall does not need to be painted. Photos are attached at the end of the document.
 
The mural is intended to enhance local quality of life, community pride, beautification, and creative placemaking, as well as increase the public’s awareness of visual arts.
 
This mural project is jointly undertaken by Quad City Arts and the Moline Public Art Commission. The Public Art Commission advises the City’s Corporate Authorities in all matters pertaining to the City-sponsored Downtown Moline Public Art Program Area, as identified in the Public Art Master Plan.
 
PAYMENT
$30,000 — 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 scissor or articulating lift will be provided, upon request.
 
DEADLINE
Proposals shall be submitted no later than Friday, September 22, 2023 at 5:00pm via email attachment to Quad City Arts at [email protected] or online at https://www.quadcityarts.com/moline-mural . Submissions shall be clearly labeled "Moline Mural Project".
 
MURAL OBJECTIVES

• This mural will be an energetic start to the Moline Public Art Commission’s slate of projects and should be vibrant and exciting.
• 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.

 
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.
• Artist must have large scale mural experience.
• The mural does not need to cover the entirety of the designated space.
• Artist must have large scale mural experience, with sufficient knowledge of both medium and materials to ensure durability of 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 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 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 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 September 15.
• Deadline for proposals: Friday, September 22, 2023 at 5:00pm to [email protected] or online at https://www.quadcityarts.com/moline-mural
• Late September: RFP review, initial interviews (if needed) with artist finalists 
• Early October: Final artist and design selected and meet with mural selection committee (virtual option available) to go over sketch, information from the client, timeline, and budget.
• October: mural completed, subject to weather*
  • *This timeline will be agreed upon with the building owner and the artist, and weather pending.

 
TO APPLY

• Email a .PDF to [email protected] including the following information or submit online at https://www.quadcityarts.com/moline-mural
  • 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 completed sketch/draft for the suggested mural design with indication of how mural would appear on the building (dimensions, color palette)
  • A brief bio about you as an artist and your process.

ELIGIBILITY
This opportunity is open to all professional artists over the age of 18. Applicants must reside within the United States.  
 
SELECTION CRITERIA

• Award determination shall be based on selection committee's determination of design aesthetic, proposed use of the wall space, availability and ability to deliver 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 prior to 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. Such information will be limited to clarification or amplification of information requested in the original proposal. 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 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.​

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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Photo of exterior wall in Moline, Illinois
1405 5th Avenue, Moline, IL 61265