Project Description 

Creative Flagstaff is issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) from an artist or artist team to lead the process for the Cheshire Slow Street Asphalt Art Project which aims to improve safety for people that walk, bike, and roll in the neighborhood by slowing down traffic and reducing lanes through a demonstration/ pilot project that includes robust public engagement and provides a public art learning experience for students at Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy. This project is made possible by Bloomberg Philanthropies Asphalt Art Initiative grant program and is a partnership between Creative Flagstaff, MetroPlan, City of Flagstaff, and the Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy. 

Project Site 

Cheshire Neighborhood | 3000 N Fremont Blvd, Flagstaff AZ 86001 

Pending confirmation, project will take place on N Fremont Blvd between Mountain Dr to Cooper Dr, with painted medians between Cooper Dr and Shelia Dr and outside lane closures from Shelia Dr to Mountain Dr 

Key Project Goals: 

• Reduce Neighborhood Traffic Impact score per City Residential Traffic Management guide 
• Improve perception of safety and character in the neighborhood 
• Reduce the number of complaints City of Flagstaff receives on this stretch of road 
• Measure community engagement through collecting the following metrics:  
  • number of art submissions 
  • number of people voting on art submissions  
  • number of people at events, number of volunteers  
  • number of students engaged  
  • number of people surveyed  
  • number of press/ media hits  
  • number of social media interactions 
• Use demonstration project to learn lessons that include paint longevity, and what’s possible for art in the right-of-way 
• Use this project for students to learn about the entire process of installing public art, and not just create the design (science, art, budget, materials, engineering) 
• Strengthen partnerships between agencies 

Deliverables: 

• Use painting area designated by City of Flagstaff to engage students in a public art process that includes design development, budget projections, community engagement, and installation techniques.  Specific deliverables include: 
  • Develop and lead curriculum for FALA students by creating a workplan and ensuring deliverables are met on time. 
  • Lead students to conduct a survey or focus group of residents on art themes and present the project and process to the Beautification and Public Art Commission for direction at the BPAC meeting on March 11, 2024 
  • Lead students to develop and refine designs to present 2-5 design options for themes to the BPAC 
    • BPAC will approve 2-3 options for public vote at their April 8, 2024 meeting 
  • Conduct public vote by April 26, 2024, in collaboration with partners 
  • Lead students to develop implementation plan and volunteer coordination 
  • Lead and oversee public painting event to be held on May 18 as a part of the ArtX festival 
  • Lead students to refine/ touch up art as needed after public painting event 

Budget 

Total project budget is $25,000 with $6,000 fixed fee designated to the artist and/or artist team to cover design fees, educational instruction, insurance, travel and lodging, and time for implementation. The remaining $19,000 is reserved for project expenses, materials, supplies and implementation costs. These funds will be managed by Creative Flagstaff. 

$6,000 will paid at three milestones: 

• $1,500 signing of contract/notice to proceed 
• $2,000 after BPAC approval of 2-3 designs for public vote 
• $2,500 after final installation. 

Project Timeline – key dates 

• January 8, 2024 | RFQ submission due, 8am 
• January 12, 2024 | Artist selection  
• January 15 – February 8, 2024 | Begin FALA curriculum  
• February 8, 2024 | Art area approved by Transportation Commission  
• March 11, 2024 | Conduct themes focus group or survey and bring recommendation to BPAC 
  • Note – this date is fixed  
• April 8, 2024 | 2-5 designs developed for BPAC approval 
  • Note – this date is fixed 
• April 26, 2024 | Public vote for winning design complete  
• May 1, 2024 | Encroachment permit obtained 
• May 13-17, 2024 | Installation begins* 
• May 18, 2024 | Official, public installation event* 

*Subject to schedule changes and additional installation dates that depend on student and teacher availability   

Submission Requirements 

Artist statement with brief biography that describes previous work experience and specifies permanent or temporary outdoor public art, murals, or site-responsive installations and community engagement. Describe experience leading public art installation events and students in art curriculum. Statement should describe experience with selection criteria outlined below.  

Three references including name, title, email, phone number for each reference listed. 

A link to a portfolio or professional website with images of relevant art works. 

Current Identity Verified Print (IVP) clearance or statement. Artist/artist team acceptance is contingent on IVP clearance. We will not select artists and/or teams that have not obtained or are not in the process of receiving IVP clearance. In-person engagement with students requires full IVP clearance.  

Send submissions to asphaltart@creativeflagstaff.org 

Selection Process 

Minium qualifications: 

• Identify verified print (IVP) clearance or ability to obtain within 2 weeks of notice to proceed 
• Proof of General Liability Insurance: $2 million aggregate; $1million per occurrence 

A committee will review and score submissions based on the following criteria: 

• 30 points | Experience leading students in development of public art installations 
• 30 points | Experience with large murals, with emphasis on horizontal artworks 
• 20 points | Ability to deliver a complete project on time 
• 20 points | Experience leading public in art installations 

Upon final selection, the artist/art team will be required to sign a contract. 

Questions about the RFQ, please contact: asphaltart@creativeflagstaff.org