“Dragonfly Sculpture,” KIDS COVE PLAYGROUND ARTWORK- Marquette, MI

  • Commissioning Entity

    Marquette Public Arts Commission

  • Application Open Date

    08/21/2023

  • Application Deadline Date

    10/27/2023

  • Minimum Budget

    $

  • Maximum Budget

    $30000

  • Location of Commission

    Marquette, Michigan, United States

  • Geographic Eligibilty

    All

  • Contact Name

    Tiina Morin

  • Contact Email

    [email protected]

  • Contact Phone

  • Commission Document

    View Link Document

  • Brief Description

    The Marquette Public Art Commission (MPAC) is seeking a qualified artist (“vendor”) or artist team to design (“artwork”), create, and install a dragonfly-based site-specific artwork at the Kids Cove Playground, Mattson Park, Marquette, MI. The vendor will organize/lead any necessary workers through the installation of their artwork.


    MPAC is only soliciting the qualifications of interested vendors at this time. MPAC will review responses to this RFQ and select up to three finalists to submit design proposals. Finalists will be compensated $300 to present a full-color design comp for the court. Finalists will retain copyright to all sketches not selected.



    ELIGIBILITY

    Submission is open to any artist or group of artists who are permitted to work legally in the United States and are eighteen years of age or older.


    BUDGET

    MPAC’s budget for artist labor and supplies needed for the Kids Cove Playground project is up to $30,000. This budget includes all labor, insurance, travel, lodging, food and all other necessities as well as any equipment the artist may require to complete the sculpture. Finalists chosen from the RFQ will be asked to submit a detailed budget with their design proposal.


    KIDS COVE PLAYGROUND PROJECT BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW

    MPAC would like to commission artwork that complements the new all-inclusive Kids Cove Playground in Mattson Park. The Kids Cove renovation aims to create a playground where children with special needs and typically developing children can play, stimulate their developing brains, strengthen motor skills, and build awareness of others. The playground will build togetherness, understanding, and respect that children of all abilities would not achieve if separated. The goal of the artwork will engage the City and its visitors, creating a sense of wonder and joy to reinforce the positivity of play while honoring Joani Reynolds Miller, a retired preschool teacher who had a vision of making life for children with disabilities more inclusive in our community, and who had a particular love of dragonflies. Further information about the Kids Cove Playground can be found at: https://www.kidscovemqt.com/.


    The project will further MPAC goals:

    • Make Marquette known as a haven for works of significant artistic merit;
    • Integrate public art into all aspects of the community and make art openly available to all citizens;
    • Create distinct places, spaces, and objects that distinguish the character of the City;
    • Educate the public about local history, culture, and values through public art;
    • Increase the City’s standing as both a tourism destination and a desirable place to live; and
    • Highlight the efforts of local artists as well as featuring works of regionally, nationally, and internationally notable artists.