Public Art Projects

East Bank Greenway

Request For Qualifications – National Call To Artists
RFQ #04-98

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§1 Introduction and Overview

A. Project summary

The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County (hereinafter Metro) through the Metro Nashville Arts Commission (MNAC) Public Art Committee is soliciting Statements of Qualifications/SOQ (submissions) from interested and qualified Respondents (artists) to provide the artwork for the Shelby Street Bridge area art project(s). We seek to commission an artist or artist team to create large-scale artwork that symbolically and visually connects the east and west sides of the Cumberland River and engages pedestrian and vehicular viewers both day and night. The site on the East Bank Greenway near the historic Shelby Street pedestrian bridge has the NFL Titans stadium to the east and the downtown skyline across the river to the west. The open green space between the river and the greenway trail includes two large industrial artifacts, base beams from a gantry overhead crane and a round concrete foundation column from a steam-driven whirly crane. These remnants as well as scores of other salvaged industrial artifacts currently stored on the site can be incorporated into the artwork. Although not required, using these remnants provides a way to increase the scale and volume of the artwork as well as to honor the history of the working river.

This RFP/National Call to Artists will result in a short list of three to six semi-finalists, who will receive a commission of $2,500 to visit the project site, develop final proposals and make a presentation to the selection committee in Nashville.

Submission deadline: Materials must arrive at the address designated below by

Wednesday, December 15, 2004 by 3:00 p.m. CST

Project budget: $250,000

B. Project goals

The artwork should:

In a broader sense, the project may:

C. Scope of work

There are two industrial remnants in place at the site that could provide foundations for artwork. Base beams from a gantry overhead crane, once used to move raw steel for barge and bridge building, are well located to be a potential site for the artwork. Down river from the site of the gantry crane beams is a round concrete foundation with a ring gear from a steam-driven whirly crane that used a clamshell bucket for moving sand and gravel. Numerous large and small industrial salvage artifacts are also available that were collected from businesses relocated to make way for the stadium.

In addition to the potential use of the industrial artifacts, artists may consider including other media such as light, water, sound, or motion in the artwork.

D. History of the working Cumberland River and its banks

Nashville owes its origins to the Cumberland River. For centuries before the European settlers came, Native Americans built villages, buried their dead, and hunted game along the river and its tributaries. After the Robertson and Donelson parties arrived and built Fort Nashboro and outposts fanning out from the core of the frontier town, the river was the lifeline between the settlers and the outside world. The river was strictly utilitarian; it provided water, carried goods and travelers, was a power source, and received waste from early manufacturing and milling. Both of its banks in what is now downtown Nashville reflected that functional character.

In today's zoning terms, it would be said that the West Bank was mixed use. The City Hotel and the county jail were neighbors to varied businesses such as a soap works, a manufacturer of iron stoves, a lumber yard, a creamery, as well as some small, substandard residential structures. The city wharf was along the west side of the river; Front Street, or today's First Avenue, grew along the wharf to accommodate the cargo of the river boats. Workers unloaded goods into the east doors of the buildings there, and merchants sold those products, both wholesale and retail, out the Second Avenue side; bars were interspersed with the other businesses. The most well-known was the Silver Dollar Saloon at Market Street (now Second Avenue) and Broadway. Nashville had a rowdy side, and that was especially evident near the river.

Broadway ended at the river's edge, and commerce reached to the west along it. Further south, as the land rose to Rutledge Hill, notable educational institutions, including Vanderbilt Medical School, Peabody College, University of Nashville, and Montgomery Bell Academy, had their beginnings. Some of the elegant late 19th century buildings – churches, houses, and remnants of the schools – still remain on Rutledge Hill.

The East Bank was almost totally industrial in character up until the construction of the NFL stadium, long after the west side's conversion from a mixture of uses to more consistent urban development. Maps show brickyards, lumber companies, a casket manufacturer, and a coal and ice house. Rail lines served these businesses, as they also did on the West Bank. As the twentieth century progressed, the Nashville Bridge Company, headquartered in the building still standing adjacent to the bridge, became increasingly visible on the East Bank. The launching of barges built there in the last decades of the century often drew onlookers from across the river.

E. Shelby Street Bridge

The Shelby Street Bridge was recently renovated and reopened as a pedestrian bridge, painted "Nashville silver" and lighted after dark. Designers of the renovation project enhanced the original structure with art elements integrated into the railings at bridge overlooks, plus other design features such as wood pavers and bollards in the shape of boats on the main span and under the bridge plaques.

A new sign at the foot of the bridge states

The Shelby Street Bridge, built 1907-1909, is on the National Register of Historic Places for its significance as one of Nashville's best examples of modern technology and engineering at the turn of the century, especially its bridge trusses made of reinforced concrete. Almost one hundred years later, in poor condition, the bridge faced an uncertain future.

Public sentiment to preserve its place in Nashville history, its valuable connection between East Nashville and downtown, and spectacular skyline views inspired a new use. The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County embarked on its preservation as a pedestrian and bicycle bridge in the late 1990's.

When the bridge was built, the East Bank was populated by industries that used barges for transportation on the Cumberland River. Some of the industrial artifacts remain today as sculptural elements along the East Bank Greenway. Now a vital link in Nashville's greenways system, the Shelby Street Bridge stands as one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world, an important recreational and transit corridor, and a popular destination.

F. Current environment

The current environment on the east side of the bridge is dominated by the football stadium and includes parking with trees and grass plus a greenway park along the east bank that connects to the Downtown Greenway via the Shelby pedestrian bridge. Plans exist to connect the East Bank Greenway on the south end along the riverbank to the Shelby Bottoms Greenway. The Trinity Building, a three-story vacant building that formerly housed the Nashville Bridge Company, sits on the riverbank immediately north of the east end of the bridge. Future use of the building is not yet determined.

Several significant places and spaces are located on the west side of the river across from the project site. The west end of the bridge terminates a block south of Broadway on 3rd Avenue South facing the site of the new Schermerhorn Symphony Center, scheduled for completion in fall 2006. Nearby are the Hall of Fame Park, the Gaylord Entertainment Center and the Country Music Hall of Fame. Along the river south of the bridge is the former site of the Thermal Transfer plant. Future development of the 11.5 acre site is currently under discussion. Riverfront Park is situated across the river from the stadium site, easily visible from the bridge looking northward. The Downtown Greenway also borders the west side of the Cumberland River through Riverfront Park past the Courthouse and continues north then west to the Tennessee Bicentennial Mall.

G. Eligibility

This project is open to established visual artists living in the United States with a minimum of two years professional experience. Artists with conflicts of interest as outlined in the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County's Public Art Guidelines are ineligible for public art commissions or projects. Artists may reference Section VII of the Public Art Guidelines online at www.artsnashville.org/pubartprogram/pubartguide.php (see link at above left).

H. Budget

Project budget allocates up to $250,000 for the art project/s at the Shelby Street Bridge area. This figure includes artists' fees, overhead and operating costs, fabrication costs, project-related travel that is required to follow Metro Travel Policy guidelines, installation and site preparation, insurance, plus other artist-related costs.

I. Metro Nasville Arts Commission and Public Art Program

The Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission (MNAC) is a department of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County created in 1978 for the purpose of promoting, preserving and expanding the cultural and artistic interest of the general public. The MNAC public art program was established in June 2000, with the passage of a public art ordinance. The ordinance dedicates one percent (1%) of the net proceeds of general obligation bonds issued for construction projects to fund public art. The MNAC established a Public Art Committee (PAC) as a standing committee to oversee the public art program. Now that the program foundation has been developed and numerous voluntary projects have been completed, the program is embarking on its initial projects using percent for public art funds.

§2 Submission Instructions

A. Projected timetable

The following projected timetable should be used as a working guide for planning purposes. Metro reserves the right to adjust this timetable as required during the course of this Request for Qualifications process.

Event Date
Request for Qualifications due: December 15, 2004, 3:00 p.m. CST
Site visit for artist semi-finalists: February 11, 2005
Semi-finalists' presentation to selection committee: March 23, 2005
Commission announcement of Intent to Award: March 30, 2005
B. Selection criteria

Artists will be selected on the basis of the following criteria (in order of priority):

C. Inquiries

Direct all questions related to this RFQ/National Call to Artists to the MNAC staff via e-mail only: arts@nashville.gov

D. Compliance with the RFQ

Submissions must be in strict compliance with this Request for Qualifications. Failure to comply with all provisions of the RFQ may result in disqualification.

E. Response format and sending submittals

Please submit the following materials in the order shown to the address below (all text must be printed on single-sided pages):

  1. A brief, one-page printed letter of interest addressing selection criteria and highlighting particular qualifications for the position and perceptions about the project.

  2. Up to twenty (20) slides of recent work (team submissions should not exceed a total of twenty slides).

    1. Slides must be in a clear plastic sheet.

    2. Label all slides with an arrow indicating top of slide, the artist's name and number corresponding to number on slide list.

  3. Printed, single-sided annotated slide list, including:

    1. artist(s) name

    2. title of artwork or project

    3. date of artwork or project completion

    4. medium(s)

    5. dimensions (H x W x D)

    6. location, if permanently sited

    7. project budget

    8. project description

    9. client

    10. For projects involving teams, integrated artwork or collaborations with architects or others, please specify what your contributions as the artist were.

  4. Current résumé, not to exceed four printed, single-sided pages. If applying as a team, each team member may submit a 4-page résumé.

  5. References, on one page:

    1. list three people with whom you have worked on a public art project who can describe your participation

    2. include name, title, address, e-mail and current daytime telephone number for each reference

  6. Self-addressed and stamped envelope for return of materials if you want them returned

  7. Mail submissions to:
    Metro Nashville Arts Commission
    P.O. Box 158189
    Nashville TN 37215

    Alternate address:
    Metro Nashville Arts Commission
    209 10th Avenue South Ste 416
    Nashville TN 37203-0772

  8. Submission deadline: All submittals must be received no later than

    Wednesday, December 15, 2004, at 3:00 p.m. CST

    The Metro Purchasing Executive will ensure that only submissions received by the deadline will be accepted.

Incomplete or ineligible submissions will not be reviewed. Every effort will be made to insure the safe handling of submitted materials; however, the Metro Nashville Arts Commission will not be responsible for any loss or damage.

§3 Selection Process

A. Method of source selection

The Department is using the Competitive Sealed Proposals method of source selection, as authorized by Section 4.12.040 of the Metropolitan Procurement Code, for this procurement.

B. Selection/evaluation committee

The Metro Purchasing Agent will appoint an evaluation committee (hereinafter referred to as selection committee) to evaluate the submissions. That selection committee will be proposed by MNAC staff for each project and recommended to the Purchasing Agent by the Public Art Committee (PAC).

The selection committee for this project will have five to nine members including at least one visual artist, a representative of Metro Parks and Recreation Department's Greenways Division, arts professionals, a representative from the community, and a regionally or nationally recognized public artist or public art professional. The chairperson of the selection committee will be the public art committee chair or designee, serving as an ex-officio, non-voting committee member. The Purchasing Executive assigned to each project will serve as a non-voting advisory member of the selection committee and be charged with the responsibility of monitoring the process.

C. Selection process

Responses to this Request for Qualifications will be evaluated by the selection committee according to the project selection criteria to develop a short list of three to six semi-finalists. Artists on the short list will receive a commission of $2,500.00 to visit the project site, develop final proposals and present them to the selection committee in Nashville. Further information will be provided to semi-finalists, including a draft artist's contract and insurance requirements. The selection committee will recommend an artist for award of this project(s) to the PAC for their action and referral to the MNAC, for final approval and issuance of an Intent to Award Letter based upon successful contract negotiation.

§4 Rules and Guidelines

A. Requests for clarification of submission

MNAC may check references to assist in the evaluation of any submission.

B. Submissions, RFPs, and presentation costs

The Metropolitan Government will not be liable in any way for any costs incurred by any artist in the preparation of its proposal in response to this RFQ, nor for the presentation of its submission and/or participation in any discussions.

C. Validity of submissions

All proposals shall be valid for a period of one hundred and twenty (120) days from the due date of the Request for Qualifications.

D. Rejection of submissions

The Purchasing Agent or designee reserves the right to accept or reject in whole or in part any or all proposals submitted.

E. Americans With Disabilities Act

The successful artist or team shall certify to Metro that the design services, as well as any construction, repair, or other infrastructure improvements made through this contract, if an award is made, shall be completed in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") and Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, Federal Register 36 CFR Parts 1190 and 1191, Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities; Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) Accessibility Guidelines; proposed rule dated November 16, 1999, which has been adopted by Metro.

Questions, concerns, complaints, requests for accommodation, or requests for additional information regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act may be forwarded MNAC's ADA Compliance Coordinator: Teri McElhaney, 209 Tenth Avenue South, Suite 416, Nashville, TN 37203-0772, Phone: (615) 862-6720.

Individuals who need auxiliary aids for effective communication in the programs, services or activities of the Metro Nashville Arts Commission are invited to make their needs and preferences known to the ADA Compliance Coordinator. This notice can be made available in alternative formats through the office of the ADA Compliance Coordinator, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

F. Non-discrimination

It is the policy of the Metropolitan Government not to discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, color, national origin or disability in its hiring and employment practices, or in admission to, access to, or operation of its programs, services and activities. With regard to all aspects of this Contract, the artist or artist team certifies and warrants it will comply with this policy.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Contract, no person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, be discriminated against in the admission or access to, or be discriminated against in treatment or employment in Metro's contracted programs or activities, on the grounds of handicap and/or disability, age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other classification protected by federal or Tennessee State Constitutional or statutory law; nor shall they be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination in the performance of contracts with Metro or in the employment practices of Metro's Artists/Contractors.

Accordingly, all artists/contractors entering into contracts with Metro shall, upon request, be required to show proof of such nondiscrimination and to post in conspicuous places that are available to all employees and applicants, notices of nondiscrimination.

Further the Metro Nashville Arts Commission does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, color, national origin, religion, or disability in admission to, access to, or operations of its programs, services, or activities. The Metro Nashville Arts Commission does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices.

Inquiries concerning non-discrimination policies other than ADA compliance should be forwarded to: Delaine Linville, Department of Human Resources, 222 Third Avenue, Suite 200, Nashville TN 37201, (615) 862-6640.

G. Call To Artists and presentation costs

Metro will not be liable in any way for any costs incurred by the artist in the initial response to the Request for Qualifications. Metro will commission the semi-finalist artists for presentation of their proposal to the selection committee.

H. Public disclosure

All submissions are considered public and subject to review upon request after an intent to award has been made.

END OF RFQ #04-98

© 2008 Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission
800 2nd Avenue South, 4th Floor
P.O. Box 196300
Nashville TN 37219-6300 		Page revised: 25 Sep 2007
arts@nashville.gov
(615) 862-6720
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