City of Port Moody, Request for Expressions of Interest, Call for Artists – Staff Artist

Description

I. Introduction
The City of Port Moody (The City) is requesting Expressions of Interest from professional visual or media artists to form a part of the Cultural Services team for an 18-month contracted term. This contract position is expected to work an average of 20 hours per week (including some evenings and weekends) on a range of projects and opportunities that may include items from the following list, as well as possible projects identified by the staff artist, Council, the Arts and Culture Committee, and City staff:
• creating design/artistic elements for civic projects such as street banners, vehicle wraps, and murals;
• working with various City divisions such as transportation, engineering, parks and environment to review capital projects with an eye to identify public artwork opportunities and creative solutions for incorporating art into civic capital projects;
• work with Cultural Services staff on implementing the Arts and Culture Master Plan;
• assist in identifying opportunities to grow the presence of art into City events, activities, projects, natural environment and buildings; and
• assist in furthering the goals of the Arts and Culture Master Plan and provide insight into the development of a new Public Art Master Plan.
The successful artist will be provided with a work station ( within the City and will receive a contracted rate of $67,500 over the 18-month term – paid bi-weekly and subject to statutory deductions. The term is planned to begin in fall 2018 and will terminate approximately 18 months from the start date. The contract rate is exclusive of project costs. Budgets for identified projects will be developed and submitted to Council for consideration. At this time there is no authorization for the extension of the contract term.
II. Project Vision

Creating a staff artist position strengthens the City of Port Moody’s commitment to being City of the Arts. The artist will have the opportunity to create artwork for identified projects and recommend projects for inclusion in this program. While spending time in the community the artist will get to know the residents, the landscape, the culture and the vibe of Port Moody. Working with the various City Divisions, the artist will have the opportunity to review upcoming civic and capital projects with an eye to providing a creative and artistic lens to the execution of the project that enhances and celebrates the community. The artist is expected to engage with City staff in creating a project list early in the term for Council consideration and approval. Additional project concepts developed during the term may also be considered.

III. Program Goals

The goals of the staff artist program are to:

• design artwork for already identified projects;
• become an integrated member of the Cultural Services team;
• become an integrated team member on two or more civic capital projects and complete at least one associated permanent artwork;
• where identified, collaborate with the community on art projects;
• further the goals of the Arts and Culture Master Plan;
• improve the integration of the arts into all Port Moody civic services;
• lead an art component at a City community event; and
• grow the City’s goal of being known as the City of the Arts.

IV. Project Budgets

Some of the projects identified within this call have associated budgets and others require the creation of a budget. Projects and the associated budgets identified and developed between City staff and the staff artist will be presented to Council for consideration. Approved projects will be allocated funding according to Council’s direction. The contract fee is exclusive from all artwork project budgets.

V. Eligibility

This call is open to all artists; however, the successful artist will need to reside within commuting distance of Port Moody for the term of the contract.
Qualifications and Skills:
• an established visual art practice recognized by peers;
• experience working as an artist with or within a municipal environment;
• strong communication, facilitation, and presentation skills;
• ability to work independently and as part of a team;
• ability to create installation and maintenance budgets for work designed;
• ability to apply both a project specific lens for a site specific project as well as a broader lens for themed or guided work;
• experience working with diverse communities and ages.

VI. Submission Requirements

Artists interested in this call must submit the following:

a. Letter of Interest: no more than two pages in length that explains the artist’s particular interest in this opportunity. Artists should highlight their experience and desire to create public artworks, as well as highlighting professional experience working with a wide range of stakeholders including community members, artist groups, City staff and specifically planners, engineers, stewardship officers, public art coordinators, and other arts professionals. Experience presenting to elected officials is an asset.
b. Current Resume or CV: including a portfolio of up to ten digital photographs of the artist’s work. Each photograph must be numbered. Include the following information: a number, project location, a one sentence description, project partners and project budget. Include an additional five photographs of one artwork demonstrating the design, fabrication and installation processes. Each photograph should be numbered and include the project name and location.
c. Numbered Photograph List: Each photograph must include: the artist’s name, a brief description of the artwork, the artwork title, the design date, the installation date if applicable, the medium, the size, the installation location and, if applicable the commission contract cost.
d. References: please list three professional references that have an intimate knowledge of your work, methods and municipal experience if applicable. Include complete address, e-mail and telephone number for all references.
Materials must be submitted by way of either:
One email with attachments totaling a maximum of 5MB. Materials must be assembled into PDF or MS Word files. Individual image files will not be accepted.
Or
One USB, delivered to the address below, with materials assembled into PDF or MS Word files. Individual image files will not be accepted.

Electronic submissions must be received by Sunday, July 29, 2018. Once your submission has been received, you will receive a confirmation email with 48 hours. If you do not receive a confirmation email that means that your submission was not received. The City of Port Moody is not responsible for submissions not received or submissions delayed in delivery including, but not limited to, postal delays, server delays, or larger than specified email file sizes.
All mailed or hand delivered submissions must be delivered to the address below by Friday, July 27, 2018 at 4:30pm, Pacific Standard Time:
Devin Jain
Manager of Cultural Services
City of Port Moody
100 Newport Road
Port Moody, B.C. V3H 5C3
Email submissions: djain@portmoody.ca

VII. Selection Process

Expressions of Interest will be reviewed by an internal panel of City staff. Only shortlisted artists will be interviewed. Interviews are anticipated to be scheduled in August 2018. If a second interview is necessary it will be scheduled as required. The successful artist will be expected to start as soon possible, but no later than November 2018 and will be required to submit a criminal record check and driver’s abstract.

The City reserves the right to select any or none of the Expressions of Interest submitted.

All questions regarding this call should be directed to:
Devin Jain
Manager of Cultural Services
Phone: 604-469-4689
Email: djain@portmoody.ca

Please submit any questions no later than five business days prior to the closing of this call.