Submission Deadline

Friday, September 29, 2023 by 11:59 p.m. EDT. Applications must be received via (https://asc.slideroom.com), an online application system. There is no fee to submit qualifications.

Project Background

The Charlotte Fire Department has a long and proud history of serving everyone who lives and works in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area. The Charlotte Fire Department delivers fire suppression, emergency medical services, technical rescue including urban search and rescue teams, hazardous materials mitigation, fire prevention, domestic preparedness, fire/EMS safety education, and fire investigation programs. To aid in fulfilling its commitment to effectively and efficiently serve the residents of Charlotte-Mecklenburg, a new Firehouse facility is being built for Firehouse No. 11.

Firehouse No. 11, located at 628 West 28th Street, was originally built in the 1950s. The outdated building will be replaced with a modern, state-of-the-art facility that is better equipped to serve the surrounding community.

Learn more about the project here: https://www.charlottenc.gov/Growth-andDevelopment/Projects/Firehouses

Project Overview

The selected artist will work with the ASC, staff from the City of Charlotte’s General Services Department, Boomerang Design, CFD representatives, and local communities to create artwork that is complementary to the architecture and design of the building. The impactful artwork should also reference the history, commitment, and service of the Charlotte Fire Department. The selected artist/artist team will be expected to engage with both fire department staff and area residents to develop the concept for their work.

The anticipated low-relief artwork will be highly visible, sited on the façade of the building facing Bancroft Street, on the side of the building. The art wall measures 4’H x 36’W, with an 800lb capacity. The selected artist will be responsible for creating a visually interesting experience for viewers from a distance as well as up close. The planned building material for the space is modular brick veneer. The selected artist will also be responsible for installation of the artwork, including necessary blocking, and all materials and equipment necessary to execute the artwork; e.g. scaffolding, telescoping boom lifts, etc.

Please review the attached images at the end of this RFQ for a better understanding of the project location and scope.

Artwork Goals and Criteria

This opportunity should achieve a cohesive and unique aesthetic experience that is distinguished from, yet sensitive to, the site and the architecture of Charlotte Firehouse No. 11 and the surrounding area.

• Artwork should conform to the dimensions, weight capacity, and surface provided as the site
• Artwork should be comprised of low relief elements, a maximum of 3 inches from the wall, utilizing durable materials (e.g. stainless steel, aluminum, powder coated steel, Corten steel, ceramics)
• Artwork should engage both pedestrian and vehicular traffic
• Artwork should address the relationship between CFD and the residents they serve.
• The artwork will be required to withstand a 20-year period with minimum or no maintenance.
• Final design will be subject to approval by the Public Art Commission, owner, and project team

Project Budget

$88,793 USD– to cover all artist fees, design, engineering, testing, fabrication, permitting, and installation. As well as; travel, public meeting presentations, administration, taxes, and insurance relating to the project.

Artist Eligibility

This call is open to professional artists residing in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, and Tennessee. Artists who have received a commission or purchase for over $25,000 from the Arts & Science Council cannot be considered for another commission or purchase for 3 years after the date of a signed contract or letter of agreement. ASC staff, County or City staff, Public Art Commission members and their immediate families, are not eligible to apply for this project.
- Professional artists who have experience managing, designing and completing public art project commissions over $22,000 within the past ten (10) years are eligible.
- Architects interested in applying must have successfully completed at least three (3) public art projects within the last five (5) years to be considered eligible to participate in this opportunity. Eligibility must be demonstrated in the application materials submitted.