CALL TO ARTISTS – ARTFUL READING BENCHES IN SANTA CRUZ CITY PARKS

Concept:

Bookshop Santa Cruz is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2016. As a way of giving back to the community and inspiring the next generation of readers, they are funding the creation of three art benches to be placed in public playgrounds in the City of Santa Cruz. Bookshop Santa Cruz will provide a large media campaign around the art benches and their installation, culminating in the last bench installation which will coincide with their 50th anniversary celebrations.

Design Criteria:

 The proposed artwork should be designed so it transforms the bench into an artful homage to the joy of reading. In particular, it should inspire children about the joy of reading.

 Artists can include a quotation from a book or a quotation from an author in their artwork. Images from children's book characters are generally copyrighted.

 Benches will be placed near play areas, creating an artful reading spot for families.

 Benches will be poured at the site by Tom Ralston Concrete. Artwork will need to painted or installed on site.

 Artists will be able to request colored concrete for their bench (www.brickform.com)

 All finishes must be durable and suitable for public use.

o Note: One Faux Artist Noelle Kiamos who worked at a new winery doing murals said this: “I have really like the Liquid Golden Acrylics. They're really durable and come in good colors. I've found the best selection at Dick Blick and at Flax art supply. I would use an acrylic to faux”.

Bench specifications:

 Length: 6’

 Width @ Base: 36” +/-

 Width at seat: 16”

 Width of Wall at Seat: 13”

 Seat Height: 18”

 Back of wall height: 36”



Project Timeline:

 Proposals must be received by March 18, 2016

o E-mail proposals to bookshopartbench@gmail.com.

o Subject line should be “Bookshop Santa Cruz Artful Bench proposal"

 Proposals will be reviewed by a panel formed of representatives of Bookshop Santa Cruz, Arts Council Santa Cruz County, the City of Santa Cruz and local artists.

 Finalists will be selected by April 22, 2016

 Artists may be contacted by panel for further information.

 Artists will coordinate installation date with Tom Ralston Concrete.

o First bench installed no later than June 24, 2016

o Second bench installed no later than August 26, 2016

o Third bench installed no later than November 4, 2016

Budget:

Artists will be paid a $1,250 stipend per bench. Artist’s name will be included in a plaque on the bench.

Eligibility:

This project is open to all experienced professional artists who are Santa Cruz County residents. The selected artist must provide proof of general liability insurance.

Application process:

The application must include:

 A current resume detailing professional artistic accomplishments and at least two references who can speak to your past work and qualifications.

 Up to ten images of recent relevant work. Images should be no more than 300 dpi and no larger than 1024 x 768 pixel resolution. Each file should be named with artist surname and image number to correspond with annotated image list (see below).

 An annotated list of the images should include the following information: image number, media, size, title, date, cost and brief description of the art work if necessary.

 A preliminary written proposal, not to exceed one page, which addresses the artist’s specific approach to this project, as well as conceptual drawings of the proposed artwork for the bench.