See below for questions asked by potential applicants, with City responses:
Q. Where will the sculptures be installed? Would it be on top of street signs? Or, on the ground?
A. It would be on the top of the signs, welded or attached in some way.
Q. Will the sculptures be installed near areas the public can touch?
A. As they are the height of a standard neighborhood street sign, people will potentially be able to touch, but they are generally affixed to the top of stop signs or something at a similar height.
Q. If you are asking for proposals, do you need all 16 concepts? Or, are you willing to take one concept drawing and if the artist is selected, they have the opportunity to design more?
A. Completely understand that 16 specific designs is a big ask. I ask that artists submit their portfolio. If they feel that is a good enough descriptor of their styles and skills, that is sufficient. However, submitted preliminary concepts always seem to really help portray the vision the artist has for the project. One concept, to me, is sufficient to illustrate that.
Q. Are you open to 2D or flat designs or is the preference for 3D (sculpture type)?
A. We are open to almost anything with this project. 2D designs will certainly be an option!
Q. Also there’s 5 varieties of birds and the project calls for 16 (I understand for each sign) are you looking to repeat some designs for the same birds or each one would be different?
A. We will most likely be repeating designs, based on what the artist proposes and the Public Art Advisory Board approves.
Q. Is the project going to be awarded to multiple artists who each create bird(s), or will one artist or group of artists handle the whole project, creating the set of 16?
A. One artist/group of artists will handle the whole project.
Q. In the proposal, should there be time allocated for consulting with an engineer outside of the City of Lakewood’s’ Public Art Advisory Board?
A. If you would like to consult an engineer on your own, you are welcome to. I will run all the proposed designs past our City Engineer to be sure he feels comfortable with the proposed weights of the birds.
Q. I understand that the proposal is asking for small birds, but how small? Would a bird at 2-3 times its actual size be acceptable?
A. Whatever size can be accommodated by the sign posts is acceptable. 2-3 times seems appropriate. We had initially thought about 12” in height.
Q. The RFP mentions welding, however I am curious if drilling into the metal signs for attachment is possible? Obviously without obstructing the street name.
A. We are pretty open to alternative proposals for that project, so if it is something you can make work, we are receptive.
Q. Would the sculptures have access to electricity?
A. They don’t, but we are certainly open to solar or alternative light options.
Q. Is there a projected budget per bird?
A. There is not a projected budget per bird.
Q. Do you have a rough budget, or projected budget per piece in mind?
A. It was suggested to me to not include a budget and see what creators would propose. That being said, I’d like to keep it close to $20,000 – all expenses, including labor, materials, installation, meetings, etc.