Open Calls for Public Art on Campus
CURRENT REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
Performing Arts Center Façade ($105,000)
October 8, 2024 - February 25, 2025
Download Full Request for Proposal (PDF)
The District is seeking SOQs to create a pool of qualified artists to provide the design, creation, and installation of a prominent public art project on the exterior façade of the new Performance Art Center.
For this project, CAPS is specifically seeking the design, creation, and installation of a prominent public art project on the exterior façade of the new Performance Art Center. This public art installation may be created from any materials of the artist’s, or artist team’s, choosing that can endure complete exposure to the elements. Both two-dimensional and three-dimensional elements are feasible, along with electrical lighting, neon signage, sound features, landscaping elements, and/or other interactive components.
Project Opportunity
The Cerritos College Performing Arts Center, completed in the Summer of 2022, is one of the newest buildings on campus. The Performing Arts Center is also one of the most popular and heavily trafficked spaces on campus, serving as a major entry point to the campus and an important interface with both the campus community and the broader public as a venue for hosting major events, including musical and theatrical performances, guest speakers, and various college ceremonies. In addition to a large stage and audience hall, the interior of the building includes facilities for choral and orchestral performances, instructional and rehearsal rooms, an advanced recording studio, and various spaces dedicated to supporting theatrical performances including prop construction and costume design. This project offers the selected artist(s) a truly unique opportunity to impact the aesthetic character of the Performing Arts Center exterior, as experienced from one of the main access points to the campus, for future Cerritos College students, employees, and community members. The Performing Art Center Façade Public Art Project is developed and managed by the shared-governance Committee on Art in Public Spaces (CAPS).
For this project, CAPS is specifically seeking the design, creation, and installation of a prominent public art project on the exterior façade of the new Performance Art Center. This public art installation may be created from any materials of the artist’s, or artist team’s, choosing that can endure complete exposure to the elements. Both two-dimensional and three-dimensional elements are encouraged, along with the possibility of electrical lighting, neon signage, sound features, landscaping elements, and/or other interactive components.
Multiple options for installation locations are possible on the front façade of the Performing Arts Center, including the freestanding concrete wall (approx. 63’ 5” x 15’ 5”), the concrete side wall (approx. 216’ 5” x 15’ 5”), and/or the landscaped area in front of both walls), or all three.
Outdoors: Wall spaces, concrete fronting, and landscaped areas suitable for two-dimensional and three-dimensional elements including painting, tiling, sculpture, electrical lighting, neon signage, sound features, landscaping elements, and/or other interactive components.
Elements: Exposure to all elements (direct and indirect sunlight, rain, wind, etc.).
Site Notes: The Performing Arts Façade Commission could be located anywhere from the theater classroom entrance to the eastern freestanding concrete wall on the southern side of the Performing Art Center, facing Lot 10 on the south-side of campus. The artwork on the façade of the Performing Arts Center should anchor the building and welcome visitors to it. Additionally, the artwork has the opportunity to present the musical and theatrical nature of the pedagogy and public events associated with this space. The work should also be identifiably associated with the selected artist’s, or artist team’s, distinctive art practice and visual style. Additional site requirements will be provided to Artists or Artist Teams selected to develop a proposal for this site.
Artists are encouraged to submit Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) with artwork samples and letters of interest that are relevant to this specific commission. CAPS encourages artists to engage critically with the mission the District and the vision of the public art program on campus to engage and enlighten our diverse communities.
Budget
The total maximum project budget totals $105,000 for commissions, as follows:
The budget for this commission is inclusive of all artist fees, artwork fabrication and installation, insurance, engineering, and artwork transportation. The commission budget does not include the initial RFP stipend, campus signage, the artwork lighting, foundations, or structural or MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) connections required to install the artworks, which will be funded (if necessary and approved) through a separate budget.
RFQ Timeline
RFQ released: Tuesday, October 8, 2024
RFQ question deadline: Tuesday, January 21, 2025
RFQ question responses: Tuesday, January 28, 2025
RFQ submission deadline: Tuesday, February 25, 2025; 2:00 PM
RFQ selections announced: Tuesday, April 29, 2025 (Tentative)
RFP Timeline (NOTE: Separate solicitation)
RFP provided to selected artists: Tuesday, April 29, 2025
RFP question deadline: Tuesday, July 1, 2025
RFP question responses posted: Tuesday, July 8, 2025
RPP submission deadline: Tuesday, August 12, 2025
RFP selections announced: Tuesday, October 21, 2025 (Tentative)
Selection Process and Evaluation
Submitted SOQs will be evaluated initially by the Performing Arts Center Façade Public Art Project Sub- Committee. The criteria for selection shall be based on, but not limited to, the following:
- Artist’s qualifications (including previous examples of completed work)
- An artist statement providing context into established artistic practice and vision
- A statement of interest that demonstrates an understanding of the college’s mission and its commitment to the arts throughout campus
- The ability to complete projects on time and on budget
A short-list of artists chosen by the sub-committee will be presented to the full membership of the Cerritos College Committee on Art in Public Spaces (CAPS) for final selection to establish a pool of qualified artist. Artists selected from the short-list by the full CAPS committee will then be invited to respond to a separate Request for Proposals (RFP) solicitation and will be provided a one-time stipend for the development and submission of their RFP proposals. Submitted proposals will then be evaluated by the full CAPS membership, which will select the Artist(s) or Artist Team(s) to be awarded each commission.
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