Request for Qualifications:

Call for Arts Curation: Housing Hilltop Residential Development

October 8, 2024

The submission period ended on November 8, 2024.

Overview

City of Tacoma and Pierce County artists are encouraged to submit qualifications to Tacoma Housing Authority (THA) for Arts Curation at our newest residential developments, Housing Hilltop North and South. THA currently has $30,000 dedicated to this project across both buildings. Artists and Art Professionals of color are encouraged to apply. Fee for curation services will be included within available funding.

THA has identified the theme “Honoring the Past, Leaving Space for the Future” for this work, and is asking for artist qualifications to manage curation of:

  1. two original mural pieces (one in each building), only if funding allows;
  2. the selection of art in varying sizes and mediums produced by multiple local artists for installation in both buildings.

Media can include, but is not limited to: painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, digital, collage, mosaics, fiber, mixed-media, and wall-mountable low-relief sculpture. Lightweight 3- dimensional work may be able to be suspended from the ceiling in select locations. Locally produced artworks include 2-dimensional pieces that fall within Artwork Eligibility guidelines as listed below.

Artwork Eligibility

  • Content/subject matter must be suitable for a general audience, but can express relevant thematic elements.
  • Must be able to be hung on a wall or from cabling.
  • Artwork (not including murals) should be no smaller than 12” x 12” and no larger than 6’ x 6’. Artwork cannot extend further than 6” from the wall. Artwork may be composed of multiple pieces hung together.
  • Work should be priced with framing and/or protection in mind.
  • Should be durable and require little maintenance.
  • Cannot require a power source or utilities such as an electrical outlet, batteries, or running water.
  • Curator may choose their own work for use (limit of two pieces).

Objective

The objective of this project is to offer the opportunity for someone embedded in the Tacoma community to curate original artworks for the designated space that reflect/s, complement/s, and enhance/s the new permanent affordable housing development in central Hilltop, paying homage

to the community’s original focus and request for this neighborhood, that we “honor the past and

leave space for the future”. Chosen curator will be asked to work with THA to craft a strategy to ensure significant selection of this art is dedicated to the identified theme above, focusing on the Hilltop neighborhood’s history and future.

Applicant Qualifications and Submission Requirements

Please submit a letter of interest for this RFQ. The letter should include:

  • CV/resume
  • Personal introduction and your artistic and/or professional background
  • Why are you interested in this curation project?
  • What is your personal connection to Tacoma and the Hilltop Neighborhood?
  • Tell us about your plan for this curation, including estimated costs and a budget; ensure you include estimated compensation for your time
  • If this scope cannot be achieved with $30,000, please describe what you can provide within that budget amount; please also describe the budget it would take to complete the full scope
  • Anything else you want to tell us?

Artist Eligibility

  • Must live in Pierce County
  • Must be 18 years or older
  • Panel will prioritize artists of color with ties to the Hilltop community

Dates

  • Qualifications due November 8, 2024
  • Selection by November 22, 2024
  • Contract starts by December 13, 2024
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