The City of Milwaukee Artist in Residence Program (PAIR) aims to invest in the city’s cultural producers by leveraging the knowledge, practices and creative tool kits of local artists to build a better community for Milwaukee residents. PAIR presents an opportunity for collaboration, embedding an Artist Consultant (“Artist”) in City departments to strategize, propose and implement creative solutions to complex civic challenges.

The goal of this program is to explore the best ways of integrating an Artist into City government in service of improving the lives of Milwaukeeans. The intended outcome of this residency is for the Artist and partner department to assess community needs and develop/improve programs and initiatives through creative problem solving. The specific nature of these collaborations will vary depending on the interests and needs of the Artist and the department. It is also an opportunity for cross-sector networking, a collaborative and generative space to think about different approaches for artist residencies for the social good.

The program not only aims to bring an Artist into a department to see how it works and make an impact - it also aims to give City employees an insider’s view of contemporary art and perspective on the lives of working artists. After a three-month research phase where the Artist will shadow City staff and learn about operations and initiatives, the Artist will spend three months prototyping and field testing their project and then five months implementing. Assessments will also take place in the twelfth month. Meetings will be held virtually as necessary.

The Artist will collaborate with the Department of Public Works (DPW) to raise awareness around the dangers of reckless driving. The Artist will develop a project that may include artistic interventions, approaches, and strategies; community engagement and participation; the identification of cultural and community assets; the creation of new artworks; and/or access to artistic and cultural experiences. Reckless driving impacts all Milwaukeeans and has caused fear and trauma that makes many feel unsafe in the city. The Artist will work with DPW and community members to understand underlying causes of reckless driving and community impacts. The Artist will help in creating a culture where lives are valued and safe driving is seen as the responsibility of everyone.

Programmatic activities may include community-and artist-initiated projects, workshops, events, and site-specific artworks to address multilayered objectives that improve services provided by DPW using creative methods that engage DPW staff, constituents, and stakeholders. Events may be held in person or via a digital platform, in accordance with Public Health orders.

The Artist will work with the PAIR Liaison, DCD MAB Staff and DPW to develop an evaluation plan that will document the process, approach, and lessons learned. This plan will be summarized in a final report that will contribute to improving City practices and responsiveness.

The Public Artist in Residency Program recognizes that the path to achieving cultural and racial equity and inclusion for all residents require that arts, culture, and creativity are embedded into City policy, practice, and priorities across sectors. The program serves as a model for arts-based, cross-sector projects and community engagement with City.

Departments to support equity across all domains of civic life. Rooted in civic and social practice art, this iterative program will evolve each year, incorporating new insights, learnings, and approaches. The 12-month PAIR program encompasses four phases: research, prototyping, project implementation, and evaluation.

All questions and communication regarding this RFP process and scope of services should be submitted in writing to Scott Stange at [email protected] . Questions must be sent in writing no later than August 12, 2022 by 5:00 p.m. CST. Questions initiated after August 12, 2022 will not be considered. Any additional information, clarification and answers to the questions submitted by the deadline date will be posted on the Internet on the website referred to below in the form of an addendum to this RFP by August 15, 2022: http://city.milwaukee.gov/DCD/RFPs

Proponents will be responsible for keeping abreast of the addenda as they are posted. All such addenda shall become a part of the RFP, and all submitting teams shall be bound by such, whether or not received by the submitting team.

• Effective immediately, all DCD RFP’s should be submitted electronically to: [email protected]
• Proposals are due August 22, 2022, 11:00 am CST.
• The proposals must be submitted electronically. Late submissions will not be accepted.
• Submissions are to clearly indicate in the subject line of the email submission: Official Notice 57965 – Artist Services for the City of Milwaukee Public Artist in Residency Pilot

Please see commission link document for full project information and instructions.