Montpelier Art Center - Public Art Opportunity

INVITATION TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS AND SCULPTURAL IMAGES FOR A ROTATING PUBLIC ART INSTALLATION

Montpelier Arts Center
9652 Muirkirk Road
Laurel, MD 20708

APPLICATIONS AND VISUAL DOCUMENTATION MAY BE SUBMITTED TO THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION AT: https://m-ncppc.submittable.com/submit

APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED UNTIL 11:59 P.M. EST ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2023

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Arts and Cultural Heritage Division (ACHD) of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Prince George’s Department of Parks and Recreation invites individual artists and artist teams to submit applications for exterior sculptural artwork to be installed on a temporary basis at the Montpelier Arts Center in Laurel, Maryland. ACHD is seeking existing sculptural works that fit the criteria described in this solicitation, rather than design and fabrication of new work.

The Montpelier Arts Center shares grounds with the Montpelier House Museum (Montpelier Mansion), a local historical landmark and venue for public and private events. The Arts Center houses galleries, artist studios and classrooms, as well as administrative offices. Both facilities are operated by The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation. The Arts Center hosts gallery exhibitions and related events, classes for adults and children, as well as musical performances and other community events. As such, it is used daily for daytime and evening activities.

The selected artwork will be placed on a concrete pad sited on a lawn area at the center of the circular driveway directly in front of the entry to the Arts Center and grounds leading to the Montpelier House Museum. Dimensions of the concrete pad measure is approximately 14 feet in diameter and 6 inches in height. Based on engineering specifications, the pad can support a variety of types and weights of sculpture.

Public Art Goals

This public art project seeks to enhance the outdoor environment of the Montpelier Arts Center and Mansion by:

• Making a significant statement that relates to the sense of place associated with the site.
• Having a strong daytime and nighttime presence.
• Setting a standard of excellence for future public art projects planned for Prince George’s County.
• Capturing Prince George’s County’s historic and modern significance to the Greater Washington, D.C. region.

BUDGET AND SCHEDULE

Budget

The budget for the temporary art installation is $3,000 for the two-year exhibition period. Payment for the project will be made in two installments: with a deposit of $2,000 paid upon successful installation of the artwork and initiation of the project, and a final payment of $1,000 upon the successful deinstallation and completion of the project.

Schedule

It is anticipated that the sculpture will be installed in October 2023 and be on display through October 2025, with subsequent selected sculptures being installed approximately every two years. The exact schedule for soliciting future proposals will be dependent upon agency budget and other factors.

While this is intended to be an opportunity for rotating sculpture, ACHD reserves the right to request that the sculpture exhibition term be extended upon agreement with the artist/team. Artists will retain ownership of sculptures, unless otherwise authorized and arranged.

PROJECT IMAGES

This webpage provides additional images of the Montpelier Art Center, as well as detailed dimensions of the concrete pad. Review these images when planning your submission.

ELIGIBILITY

Artists and design professionals over the age of 18 are invited to apply as individuals or teams. Sculptures may include metal, mosaics, glass or other materials that are suitable for outdoor installation. All artworks submitted for consideration must be weatherproof and virtually maintenance free for the duration of the exhibition. Preference will be given to artists and artist teams that are residents of or maintain an artist studio in the greater District of Columbia/Maryland/Virginia region (approximately 100-mile radius from Montpelier Art Center).

SELECTION PROCESS AND CRITERIA

ACHD will establish an Art Advisory Panel consisting of key project stakeholders to review the artist and artist/team application submissions. The Art Advisory Panel will use the following criteria to make their selection:

• Artistic merit of the proposed sculpture;
• Appropriateness of the medium, style, motif, and materials as they relate to the goals of this project;
• Relevance of the sculpture to the location and site characteristics, and how it serves to activate or enhance the public space;
• Suitability of the work for outdoor display in the particular location, including, safety and ease of maintenance and conservation;
• Appropriateness of the scale of the sculpture;
• How closely the proposed sculpture meets the goals set out in the Call for Artists;
• Appropriateness of the sculpture as befitting a family-friendly environment;
• Ability of the artist to deliver the sculpture and deinstall as per the project specifications and requirements;
• Ability of the artist to successfully work within the project timeline and budget.

HOW TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS

Applications must be submitted electronically using the Submittable portal. Applications will not be accepted after the deadline.

Important Dates & Deadlines:

• Call for Entry Posted in Submittable: By Monday, July 3, 2023
• Submission Deadline: Monday, September 4, 2023 (received by 11:59 pm EST)
• Jurying Period: Wednesday, September 6, 2023-Friday, September 15, 2023
• Artist Notification: Monday, September 18, 2023
• Artwork Installation: Monday, October 2, 2023-Friday, October 13, 2023
• Exhibition Dates: Monday, October 16, 2023-October 17, 2025 (2-year temporary exhibit)
• Opening Reception: TBD

Visit https://m-ncppc.submittable.com/submit for more details.