Neighborhood Allies seeks to commission qualified artists, or artist teams (up to 2 people), to design and execute two original works of hangable art for the new Homewood-Brushton Youth Learning Center and Adult Learning Center, located at the Homewood-Brushton YMCA and Homewood-Brushton CCAC Center, respectively.
Please note: artists and artist teams may apply and be chosen for one or both opportunities/locations. Each RFQ has a unique Google form application link.
RFQ #1
Community Learning Center Art Installation
for Homewood-Brushton YMCA
RELEASE DATE: July 26, 2022
APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 14, 2022 at 11:59pm EDT. Please submit your application via this form.
PROJECT BUDGET: $8,000 (includes artist fee, materials, labor, and installation)
INFORMATION SESSION: Thursday, August 4, 2022
Project Intent:
Neighborhood Allies seeks to commission a qualified artist, or artist team (up to 2 people), to design and execute one original work of hangable art such as, but not limited to: a mural, painting, wall mounted sculpture etc. for the new Homewood-Brushton Youth Learning Center, located at the Homewood-Brushton YMCA (7140 Bennett Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15208). The Learning Center will be an exciting and inclusive maker space for youth and their families to access digital tools, receive training in advanced technologies, participate in STEAM education, hone entrepreneurship skills and gain exposure to career pathways in STEM. The Learning Center aims to empower Pittsburgh residents with the digital tools and knowledge to achieve multigenerational success.
The Learning Center is intended to be a place to imagine, design, create and connect and embody the core YMCA values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. Therefore, the artwork for the Learning Center should reflect the goals and hopes for the Center and will be placed in a prominent location, the welcome area, for all to see when entering the Center.
The artwork should embody the following intentions:
- Welcoming, inclusive, and reflective of the local community
- Reflective of the YMCA’s values
- Inspiring, transformational, imaginative, unifying
- Work should celebrate the Homewood-Brushton community’s legacy and/or imagine the community’s bright future
- Content should be family-friendly and a single vision instead of a mosaic of work
Artwork Specifications:
This call for art addresses the design and placement of art that can be hung on a load-bearing wall behind the welcome desk.
- Dimensions: approximately 7′-3″ W x 4′-8.5″ H. Depth to not exceed 4”.
- Weight: up to 50 lbs.
- The art piece cannot be of a historical figure
- Art must be 1 cohesive art piece (ie. if there are 3 panels they must show a continuous flow of 1 image)
- Completed artwork must be ready to hang
Budget:
$8,000 total. This amount is inclusive of the artist fee, cost of materials, labor, and installation. 50% of the total will be paid at time of contract, and remaining balance will be paid net-30 days after installation.
Eligibility & Selection Criteria
This opportunity is open to all visual artists or artist teams (up to 2 people) that meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Must be 18 and older (applies to all members of artist team)
- Must be a resident of Allegheny County
- Applicants must be able to complete the art aligned with the project’s timeline requirements
Preference is given to artists who have a connection to the Homewood-Brushton community. Neighborhood Allies is committed to equitable opportunities and just practices, and prioritizes submission for women and minority artists.
Applicants will be reviewed based on the following selection criteria:
- A letter of interest that demonstrates an an understanding of and interest in the project goals
- Previous work that:
- Shows a strong, consistent, and clear artistic voice;
- Demonstrates an ability to execute creative concepts;
- Has achieved sustained impact or value;
- Facilitates collective expression, shared meaning, and/or community engagement
If applying as an artist team, the application must include examples of prior work with each other that meets the above criteria.
Timeline:
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted electronically via the following form on or before August 14, 2022 at 11:59PM EDT: https://forms.gle/LYTvyVux1xj3BZUW6
To apply for this call for artists, please submit the following items:
- Letter of Interest (350 words or 1.5 pages double-spaced): Describe your interest in this project and how your past experience makes you the best candidate for this commission. If applying as a team, please describe your previous experience working together.
- Artist Bio/Statement (150 words or 300 words for artist team): A brief artist bio and description of your work and practice. Teams may submit a team bio/statement or individual bios/statements.
- Samples of Artwork (maximum file size of 10MB): Provide 3 examples of your work w/ a brief description (50 words). Image files must be in JPEG or PDF format. Please title files as “01_LastName_FirstName_ArtworkTitle,” “02_LastName_FirstName_ArtworkTitle,” etc. If applying as a team, please include at least one example of an artwork created collaboratively and indicate the lead artist.
If access to a computer or internet is a barrier, please contact: Karen Lue at: 412-471-3727 ext. 230
Selection Process
The Selection Committee made up of representatives from Neighborhood Allies and the YMCA will review all artist submissions and select three finalists to move on to the RFP phase.
Funder with recommendations from the Selection Committee will select the final artist/artist team.
Phase 1: Request for Qualifications
Artists will submit a letter of interest, artist bio/statement, and samples of artwork to Neighborhood Allies. The Selection Committee will review submissions and select three artists (or artist teams) to move to Phase 2: Request for Proposals.
Phase 2: Request for Proposals
The three finalists selected out of Phase 1 will be asked to submit a design proposal for the artwork to be commissioned. The proposal should include a mock-up of the final artwork, artwork medium, instructions on how the artwork will be installed, and a general budget outline. The Selection Committee will then notify the final artist/artist team and extend the contract.
Phase 3: Finalizing Artwork Concept
Once the contract is countersigned, the artist/artist team will make any requested changes to the artwork concept and resubmit the final concept for approval. The first half of the budget ($4,000) will also be paid at this time.
Phase 4: Artwork Execution and Installation
Once the Selection Committee approves the final artwork concept, the artist/artist team may begin creating the artwork. Install on-site at the Learning Center will be coordinated among all necessary parties. The remainder of the budget ($4,000) will be distributed at this time.
RFQ #2
Community Learning Center Art Installation
for CCAC Homewood-Brushton Center
RELEASE DATE: July 26, 2022
APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 14, 2022 at 11:59pm EDT. Please submit your application via this form.
PROJECT BUDGET: $8,000 (includes artist fee, materials, labor, and installation)
INFORMATION SESSION: Thursday, August 4, 2022
Project Intent
Neighborhood Allies seeks to commission a qualified artist, or artistic team, to design and execute one original work of hangable art such as, but not limited to: a mural, painting, wall mounted sculpture etc. for the new Homewood-Brushton Adult Learning Center, located at the CCAC Homewood-Brushton Center (701 N Homewood Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15208). The goal of the Learning Center is to provide community residents access to digital skills training, STEM education, career development, and small business/entrepreneurship education leveraging advanced technologies.
The Learning Center is intended to be a place of inspiration, education, and connection. Therefore, the artwork for the Learning Center should reflect the goals and hopes for the Center and will be placed in a prominent location, the welcome area, for all to see when entering the Center.
The artwork should embody the following intentions:
- Welcoming, inclusive, and reflective of the local community
- Inspiring, transformational, imaginative, unifying
- Work should celebrate the Homewood-Brushton community’s legacy and/or imagine the community’s bright future
- Content should be family-friendly and a single vision instead of a mosaic of work
Artwork Specifications
This call for art addresses the design and placement of art that can be hung on a load-bearing wall behind the welcome desk.
- Dimensions: approximately 12′-0″ W x 3′-7.5″ H. Depth to not exceed 4”.
- Weight: up to 50 lbs.
- The art piece cannot be of a historical figure
- Art must be 1 cohesive art piece (ie. if there are 3 panels they must show a continuous flow of 1 image)
- Completed artwork must be ready to hang
Budget
$8,000 total. This amount is inclusive of the artist fee, cost of materials, labor, and installation. 50% of the total will be paid at time of contract, and remaining balance will be paid net-30 days after installation.
Eligibility & Selection Criteria
This opportunity is open to all visual artists or artist teams (up to 2 people) that meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Must be 18 and older (applies to all members of artist team)
- Must be a resident of Allegheny County
- Applicants must be able to complete the art aligned with the project’s timeline requirements
Preference is given to artists who have a connection to the Homewood-Brushton community. Neighborhood Allies is committed to equitable opportunities and just practices, and prioritizes submission for women and minority artists.
Applicants will be reviewed based on the following selection criteria:
- A letter of interest that demonstrates an an understanding of and interest in the project goals
- Previous work that:
- Shows a strong, consistent, and clear artistic voice;
- Demonstrates an ability to execute creative concepts;
- Has achieved sustained impact or value;
- Facilitates collective expression, shared meaning, and/or community engagement
If applying as an artist team, the application must include examples of prior work with each other that meets the above criteria.
Timeline
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted electronically via the following form on or before August 14, 2022 at 11:59PM EDT: https://forms.gle/kLwQVWZdqNmjyz3b9
To apply for this call for artists, please submit the following items:
- Letter of Interest (350 words or 1.5 pages double-spaced): Describe your interest in this project and how your past experience makes you the best candidate for this commission. If applying as a team, please describe your previous experience working together.
- Artist Bio/Statement (150 words or 300 words for artist team): A brief artist bio and description of your work and practice. Teams may submit a team bio/statement or individual bios/statements.
- Samples of Artwork (maximum file size of 10MB): Provide 3 examples of your work w/ a brief description (50 words). Image files must be in JPEG or PDF format. Please title files as “01_LastName_FirstName_ArtworkTitle,” “02_LastName_FirstName_ArtworkTitle,” etc. If applying as a team, please include at least one example of an artwork created collaboratively and indicate the lead artist.
If access to a computer or internet is a barrier, please contact: Karen Lue at: 412-471-3727 ext. 230
Selection Process
The Selection Committee made up of representatives from Neighborhood Allies and the CCAC will review all artist submissions and select three finalists to move on to the RFP phase.
Funder with recommendations from the Selection Committee will select the final artist/artist team.
Phase 1: Request for Qualifications
Artists will submit a letter of interest, artist bio/statement, and samples of artwork to Neighborhood Allies. The Selection Committee will review submissions and select three artists (or artist teams) to move to Phase 2: Request for Proposals.
Phase 2: Request for Proposals
The three finalists selected out of Phase 1 will be asked to submit a design proposal for the artwork to be commissioned. The proposal should include a mock-up of the final artwork, artwork medium, instructions on how the artwork will be installed, and a general budget outline. The Selection Committee will then notify the final artist/artist team and extend the contract.
Phase 3: Finalizing Artwork Concept
Once the contract is countersigned, the artist/artist team will make any requested changes to the artwork concept and resubmit the final concept for approval. The first half of the budget ($4,000) will also be paid at this time.
Phase 4: Artwork Execution and Installation
Once the Selection Committee approves the final artwork concept, the artist/artist team may begin creating the artwork. Install on-site at the Learning Center will be coordinated among all necessary parties. The remainder of the budget ($4,000) will be distributed at this time.
Organization Overview
Neighborhood Allies is a local economic development nonprofit organization dedicated to the vision that all neighborhoods will be resilient, thriving, and equitable. Our mission is to engage Pittsburgh area residents and organizations with innovative tools that expand opportunity for transformative community change. We strive to eliminate barriers by uplifting creative community ideas and creating access to advanced accessible technologies and programming in Homewood-Brushton.
Contact for Application Questions
Karen Lue
Senior Program Manager for Digital Inclusion & Innovation
Neighborhood Allies
karen@neighborhoodallies.org
