Report by Paula Antolini, June 3, 2022, 5:04PM EDT

Call For Artist…

Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut Request for Qualifications and Proposals

DANBURY FAIR MURAL PROJECT

Deadline for RFQ: Friday, July 7, 2022, 5:00 PM

TOTAL PROJECT BUDGET:

Up to $17,000 has been approved for 1800 square foot Wall Mural in the Lord and Taylor corridor at the Danbury Fair Mall.

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATION (RFQ) APPLICATION DEADLINE
July 7, 2022

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut (The Alliance) and Danbury Fair Mall request artists or artist teams to submit qualifications for the design and installation of a wall mural artwork at 7 Backus Ave., Danbury, CT.

Up to three qualified finalists will be selected to develop and submit art proposals and will receive $300 stipend for their initial design proposals. The artist or artist team with the final selected proposal will be awarded a contract of up to $17,000. 

THEME: Sustainable Environment and Social Emergence – to inspire balance, hope, and connection.

The Wall Mural’s focus is on the environment and appeals to young families but may include ideas on social sustainability through its design, use of materials, color choices, 2D and 3D elements that is highly visible and to promote – Instagram worthy interaction. The color palette is modern, uplifting, and in sync with the current trends for sustainability color themes. This project will invite retailers to engage for recycled materials to be used for the Mural.

FULL APPLICATION DETAILS (PDF) (or view below).

INFORMATION SESSION (OPTIONAL) JULY 16 3-4 PM
REGISTER HERE

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THEME;

Sustainable Environment and Social Emergence – to inspire balance, hope, and connection.
The Wall Mural’s focus is on the environment and appeals to young families but may include ideas on
social sustainability through its design, use of materials, color choices, 2D and 3D elements that is highly
visible and to promote – Instagram worthy interaction. The color palette is modern, uplifting, and in
sync with the current trends for sustainability color themes. This project will activate retailers for
recycled materials to be used for the Mural.

ELIGIBILITY:

This project is open to applicants regardless of race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion,
nationality, or disability. Teams of artists are welcome to apply. Artists who live or work in Western
Connecticut, Putnam, Rochester, and Westchester counties in NY are strongly encouraged to apply.
Incomplete, ineligible, or late submissions will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered.

ANTICIPATED PROJECT SCHEDULE: *

PROJECT LOCATION:
The location for the Mural is at Danbury Fair Mall, 7 Backus Avenue, Danbury CT to cover an 1800 square
feet barricade in the Lord and Taylor corridor. See attached floor plan.

DESIRED OUTCOMES:
• The Wall Mural should activate the Lord and Taylor corridor and improve overall visual site line
and aesthetics of the corridor with vibrancy
• Create opportunity for interaction and engagement
• Generate a positive experience at Danbury Fair Mall

The Wall Mural will create 2D and 3D elements, that amplifies Danbury Fair’s values regarding
sustainability. The desired artwork should function as a visible and memorable landmark for the property.
The artwork must be safe and appropriate for the project site. The artwork must conform to all applicable
policies, including building and sign codes.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Application for Request for Qualifications (RFQ). To be considered for this project, eligible artists or
   artist teams must submit the following materials, and materials must be received by The Alliance
   via email at [email protected] as a single merged PDF file, July 7, 2022, at 5:00pm.
   a. A letter of interest, including: (2-pages maximum)
   i. current contact information,
   ii. reasons for interest in Wall Mural Project for Danbury Fair Mall
   iii. a summary of the artist’s or team’s experience with similar projects;
   b. List of 3 references with contact information;
   c. Biography or resume highlighting experience: (2-pages maximum)
   d. Up to 7 digital images (high resolution, no larger than 1 MB each), representative of the artist’s past projects and artwork. Artworks should be formatted to fill a full page of the single merged PDF; and
   e. Image list including titles, dimensions, media, dates, and budgets of past projects and
   artwork.
   Please note: Art teams shall submit qualifications under the name of one lead artist. In the cover letter, the lead artist must indicate that he/she plans to work as part of a team and must list the names of the artist(s) within his/her team. Art teams shall submit 7 images of previous artwork but no more than upto 7 images for each team member (if desired) to fill 2-3 full pages of the single merged PDF.
2. Application for Request for Proposals (RFP). Open to selected finalists only. The selected finalists
   will be invited to prepare proposals in response to this RFP. A stipend of $300 for preparation of
   the proposal will be available to each finalist upon execution of a written agreement with The
   Alliance and submission of a completed W-9 form. To respond to the RFP, finalists must submit all
   of the following materials via email at [email protected] as a single merge PDF file by 5:00
   p.m. on August 10, 2022:
   a. One to two-page narrative describing the artwork and how it meets the project’s desired
   outcomes;
   b. Budget with line items for things such as: artist fees, materials, insurance, fabrication,
   installation, any site preparation, rentals, permitting, travel, contingencies, and all related
   incidental expenses;
   c. Any drawings, mock-ups, or photographs of the proposed conceptual designs;
   d. Details of materials to be used, dimensions, anticipated maintenance, and any other
   significant information;
   Materials submitted will not be returned; do NOT submit original artwork. Submitted materials must
   be received via email, by 5:00 p.m., on specified deadlines. Responses not received, by specified deadlines will be considered late and will not be considered. Artists will receive all notifications by letter sent via email.

SELECTION PANEL:
The selection panel may include project stakeholders representing the Danbury Fair Mall, The
Alliance, and an art professional.

SELECTION PROCESS:
RFQ Finalists selected. In July 2022, the Selection Panel will convene and evaluate all responses to the
RFQ. Following evaluation, the Selection Panel may select up to three finalists, or may reopen the RFQ. Selection criteria will include:
a. Adherence to the RFQ requirements (10 points)
b. Artistic quality, craftsmanship, and level of professionalism of artwork represented in images
(30 points)
c. Appropriateness of experience/expertise with similar Mural project sites (30 points)
d. Professionalism and artistic experience represented in resume or bio (30 points)

If selected as one of the finalists, the artist or team will be asked to submit a proposal.
Evaluation of proposals. In August 2022, the Selection Panel will convene to conduct an evaluation of
the finalists’ proposals to the RFP. Finalists will present their proposals to the panel. Following this
evaluation, the Selection Panel will make recommendations to select or improve projects, make
recommendations for alterations to project for final evaluation, or may recommend that the RFQ or
RFP be reopened. Evaluation criteria will include:
e. Adherence to the RFP (5 points)
f. Professionalism of work proposed (10 points)
g. Timeline and cost (10 points)
h. Appropriateness and safety of proposed artwork for project site (5 points)
i. Artwork’s ability to address the context of its site location and placement (20 points)
j. Artwork’s ability to address the context, theme, and intended outcomes; (20 points)
k. Artwork’s level of visibility, engagement, and memorable impact (10 points)
l. Consistency with Danbury Fair Mall’s values regarding sustainability (10 points)
m. Presentation (10 points)

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