Call for Artists: Signal Boxes Sparks, Nevada

Request for Proposals: Sparks Signal Box Painting

DEADLINE: Feb. 10, 2025, 11:59 p.m. (PST)

The City of Sparks Arts and Culture Advisory Committee is accepting portfolios and design concepts for their review and possible recommendation from professional artists or teams of artists in response to a public art opportunity for the City of Sparks.

BACKGROUND

This signal box painting program is managed by the City of Sparks and will begin with selecting  artists/artist teams to paint 20 signal boxes at locations listed below. Painting of signal boxes is meant to contribute to the beauty of our Sparks neighborhoods, deter graffiti and allow for regional artists to showcase their work throughout the region. The Sparks Arts and Culture Advisory Committee will recommend 20 artists and their designs to the Director of Parks and Recreation for selection.

BUDGET

$1,000 for each site — Estimated $200 to cover materials and $800 for the artist fee.

To cover all artist fees, design, materials, and installation. Including but not limited to materials relating to the development of the artwork, priming and painting the boxes. (see timeline below.)

ARTIST ELIGIBILITY

This project includes 20 locations, one artist or artist team will be selected for each location. (See Site Specs in Application Instructions Below)

1.    Artists or artist teams must live and/or work in the Reno/Sparks/Washoe County area.

2.    Artists who have already been selected as a Sparks Signal Box artist and/or have applied to paint a signal box in the past are welcome to reapply.

SELECTION PROCESS AND CRITERIA

This solicitation process is being undertaken to identify the most highly qualified artist(s) and best design for this opportunity. The City of Sparks Arts and Culture Advisory Committee members will select 20 artists to recommend to the Director of Parks and Recreation to be selected to paint the signal boxes.

This solicitation does not imply an obligation on the part of the City of Sparks to enter into a contract. If no viable artist(s) is identified, a new Request for Proposal may be released until the criteria is satisfied.

The artist will be selected based on the following criteria, as evidenced in application materials:

• Quality of past work examples
• Artistic merit in design and execution;
• Experience incorporating artwork into the surrounding architectural elements.
• Ability to create a design that compliments and enhances the area.

TIMELINE (Subject to change)

11/20: Call for Artists Opens

2/10: Deadline for Submissions

March: Artists presented to ACAC for selection and possible recommendation

5/2: Artists begin work

6/2: Unveiling

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Note: prepare all your responses in PDF documents and gather work samples before you begin and submit all at once. THE ONLINE PORTAL DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO SAVE YOUR WORK. If you need accommodations to submit your application outside of the portal, you may submit via email at rmonserrat@cityofsparks.us, or bring your work in person to 98 Richards Way Sparks, NV 89431.

A. Letter of Interest: (1,000 character max) outlining the artist’s interest in this project, what their artwork is conveying, and how their design complements and enhances the area. Applicant(s) may apply as a single artist or team. If applying as a team, identify all team members and each proposed project role in the statement.

B. Design Proposals: Create a document with design sketches or digital images and a narrative of artistic direction. One design concept per application.

C. Examples of previous work/portfolio. Please only include a MAX of five previous works.

D. Signal box dimensions are: 44″ X 26.5″ X 78″. Artists design concepts should not include more than 10% dark colored paint to prevent over heating of the boxes, the top panel of the box will not be painted.

E. Signal box locations:

1. El Rancho Dr. X Greenbrae Dr.
2. Sullivan Ln. X Greenbrae Dr.
3. El Rancho Dr. X Victorian Ave.
4. Victorian Ave. X 21st St.
5. Rock Blvd. X I-80 WB
6. Rock Blvd. X I-80 EB
7. Rock Blvd. X Victorian Ave.
8. Prater Way X I-80 WB
9. Prater Way X I-80 EB
10. Pater Way X Galletti
11. El Rancho X G St.
12. Battleborn Way X Galletti Way
13. Victorian Ave. X 16th St.
14. Victorian Ave. X 15th St.
15. Victorian Ave. X 14th St.
16. Victorian Ave. X 11th St.
17. Victorian Ave. X Pyramid Way
18. Prater Way X 4th St.
19. Prater Way X I St.
20. Prater Way X 12th St.

Contact

Raquel Monserrat
City of Sparks, Nevada
775-353-7856 | rmonserrat@cityofsparks.us