Explanation
BACKGROUND:
The Columbus Public Service Department’s (DPS) High Street Streetscape Improvements Project stretches from the Short North Arts District to the southern University District. It is a $25 million dollar capital improvement project that will transform one of the busiest sections of the highly traveled High Street corridor. Augmenting the project is a public art component that is budgeted at $423,000, which is roughly 2% of the streetscape budget.
Development released a Request for Proposal (RFP) to retain a firm to lead a robust public art planning process. In July 2017, Development entered into a professional services contract with Designing Local, a Columbus based firm specializing in cultural planning and public art. Designing Local’s team included Marc Pally, an art curator and former public art administrator. They were unanimously selected by the panel created to review the RFP.
Designing Local led a participatory process leading to the completion of the Art on High Strategic Public Art Plan. A Call for Artists, or Request for Qualifications (RFQ), was included in the Plan. The RFQ contained artist submission requirements and mapped potential locations for public art along the High Street corridor. The sites were vetted by DPS. Development amended its contract with Designing Local to include the artist selection process.
Designing Local released an RFQ for one month in June 2018. It was posted in 12 national locations frequented by professional artists. Of the applications received, 139 met the eligibility requirements. The Artist Selection Panel eventually scored the applicants down to three finalists and two alternates that were approved by the Columbus Arts Commission (CAC). The finalists, Marc Fornes, Christian Moeller and Marc Reigelman, visited Columbus and spent time walking the project site. Their proposals were presented to the selection panel on October 17. Following which, the art panel unanimously selected Mark Reigel...
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