Benchmarks

Call for Public Art Proposals
Deadline: 5:00pm, February 14, 2005

Summary
The City of Peterborough and the Mayor's Centennial Celebration Committee invite professional artists residing in the province of Ontario to submit proposals for the design, fabrication, and installation of park benches. The benches will be permanently installed around the perimeter of Little Lake in honour of the centennial anniversary of the City of Peterborough's incorporation.

Project Intent
In 2005, the City of Peterborough will be celebrating the hundredth anniversary of its incorporation. The Mayor's Centennial Celebrations Committee is developing and coordinating a yearlong series of events marking this anniversary and exploring the theme Imagine Peterborough. The Committee wished to recognize this important historical occasion with a legacy project in the arts.

The Benchmarks Committee has been formed to commission artist-designed benches for permanent installation along the perimeter of scenic Little Lake, in downtown Peterborough. From the Art Gallery of Peterborough to the Little Lake Cemetery, the benches will transform and enhance the shoreline at the recreational core of the city and inspire its citizens and visitors to Imagine Peterborough.

It is the Benchmarks Committee's intent to commission works of artistic/design excellence and durability that suit the natural attributes of the site where the benches will be installed. The benches should be well-built, safe and non-threatening.

Eligibility
The competition is open to professional artists residing in the province of Ontario. Professional artists who are new to the field of public art are encouraged to apply.

Budget
Up to $8,500 has been allocated for an artist's fee, materials and fabrication costs of each selected work.

Selection Process
The successful proposal will be decided upon by a jury. The jury will be appointed by the Benchmarks Committee and will include a representative from the Centennial Celebrations Committee, artists, and arts professionals among others.

The proposed cost of each park bench is up to $8,500 which includes an artist's fee, materials and fabrication costs. The City of Peterborough will defray costs related to installation.

The jury will short-list up to 8 proposals and request that those selected provide a more detailed schematic drawing for which they will be paid a fee of $250.

The jury will select finalists and notify them in writing. All submitted materials will then be returned to the artists.

Timeline
February 14, 2005 Deadline for proposal submissions.
February 21, 2005 Short listed proposals announced.
March 21, 2005 Deadline for final proposals with schematic drawings.
April 8, 2005 Finalists announced.
August 1, 2005 Artists' works ready for installation.
September 1, 2005 Public launch.

How to Apply
Interested artists should contact the project coordinator to obtain a package including all technical and safety specifications as well as information about the Peterborough community and the site.

Artists interested in submitting a proposal must include the following:

Statement of interest of up to 500 words.
Current resume with current contact information.
5 slides of related projects with an annotated slide list including a brief description of each slide stating its title, date, medium, size, location, and if it was a commissioned project.
Concept sketches for the proposed work.
Self-addressed stamped envelope for return of materials.

All submissions must be received at The Art Gallery of Peterborough before 5:00pm on Monday, February 14, 2005. Submissions can be mailed or delivered to the following address:

Danielle Raymond, Benchmarks Project Coordinator
C/o The Art Gallery of Peterborough
250 Crescent Street
Peterborough, ON K9J 2G1

Inquiries and Applicant Information
Applicants can contact Danielle Raymond, Project Coordinator for further information by email at draymond@city.peterborough.on.ca or by telephone at (705) 743-9179