Call for Proposals - City of Santa Ana

Project Objective/Theme

“Something powerful happens when you give young people a chance to create public artwork: they find a positive way to express themselves, they feel more connected to their communities and their peers, and they gain real-world skills that prepare them for the future.” –Urban Artworks

This CFP is intended to engage Santa Ana-based organizations to design and implement a pilot for “Bridging the G.A.P. (Graffiti Arts Program),” a year-long interactive, multi-disciplinary arts program that will inspire civic leadership and community pride in youth through the creation of murals across the City of Santa Ana. The program brings youth, professional artists, and community members together to design, co-create, and paint public murals while integrating creative practices into classroom curricula.

Over the course of 12 months, students will work alongside professional mural artists to learn different art techniques, research, design, and installation of public murals. This pilot program will focus on installing murals at one of the city-owned parking structures within the downtown area. In addition to developing their artistic skills, students will develop the interpersonal and professional skills needed to thrive outside the classroom.

Site Information

This pilot program will culminate with the installation of mural(s) on the top floor of the city-owned parking structure located on 420 N. Main Street, Santa Ana, CA. (see below to download wall measurements)

Instructions for the students will take place at your organization’s space. The City does not have available classrooms for instructions.

Applicants are invited and encouraged to visit the parking structure on their own.

Questions about the site: contact Julie Castro at JCastro-Cardenas@santa-ana.org

Program Requirements

Program should start in January 2023, will be weekly, and will have a culminating event.
Proposal should include professional mural artists the organization intends to work with as part of the program
Proposal should include a transportation plan explaining how students will be transported to the mural site
Activities must be suitable for high-school students
Applicant will be responsible for providing all materials and supplies
The selected program will be evaluated on feasibility, appropriateness for intended population, and inclusion of multi-disciplinary arts
Applicant needs to maintain insurance coverage approved by the City’s Risk Management office for the duration of the program

Budget

The total budget for this project is $50,000. This allocation is for all costs associated with the project, including but not limited to materials, equipment, labor, permits, insurance, taxes, travel, installation, shipping, and written and photographic documentation of the completed project.

The City will only qualify proposals that meet all program requirements. Any funds not allocated will be retained in the Arts & Culture Office Fund for future use.

Eligibility

Applicants must be a legitimate organization and based in Santa Ana to make a submission. Verification may be required. As the program will include children, Applicants (including their employees, volunteers, and contracted artists) must pass the Live Scan background check. Candidates are eligible regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identification, military status, sexual orientation, marital status, immigration status, or physical ability.

Selection Process & Evaluation Criteria

The Arts & Culture Office will preview application for completeness and may reject incomplete applications or non-responsive submissions.

A separate selection panel may be composed of, but not limited to, arts professionals, City staff, City Commissioner, and local community representatives. They will review and evaluate the applications based on criteria that may include, but is not limited to, the following:

Quality and strength of past work as demonstrated in submitted application materials
Experience, success, and/or interest in community engagement in the process of creating public art programming
Statement of thematic concept and planned art disciplines
Proven track record of working with local artists appropriate for this project
Past experience with designing curriculum for high school students
Verified classroom space for a minimum of 15 students
Transportation plan that ensures equitable transportation to maximize student participation
Demonstrated ability to manage projects with similar budgets on time and on budget
Provide and maintain approved insurance coverage as required by the City of Santa Ana

Submission Requirements

Deadline to apply is Monday, November 28, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. Submit applications here: https://cityofsantaana.submittable.com/submit

The online application will prompt you to submit the information directly into the fields and to upload supplemental submission materials. The City strongly recommends submitting the application at least 5 days prior to the deadline to give ample time to troubleshoot. Access to Submittable is best using Google’s Chrome browser.

Application:

Cover Sheet: Applicants need to include contact name, organization name, physical address, mailing address, telephone, email, and website.
Statement of Interest: [Limit 2 pages. Formatting guidelines: Double spaced, 12 point Times New Roman, one inch margins.]
A brief statement outlining interest and qualifications for this project. This should include your concept for the programming, including any particular art disciplines, artist(s) involved, and themes that will be part of the project. Additionally, Applicants should state how their program will address the issue of student retention to the program as well as a transportation plan to take students to and from the mural site.
Schedule of Activities/Timeline/Curriculum: [See downloadable sample below – Exhibit B, DOC format only]
Estimated timeline and description of activities proposed for public art programming and final culminating event.
Letter of Commitment (optional):
While not absolutely required, most project proposals will include a specific artist (or artists). A letter of commitment, including acceptance of the proposed artist fee, is strongly recommended. Projects intended to involve multiple community artists as part of the creative process should state this clearly and identify a Lead Artist responsible for the aesthetic and artistic quality of the overall work. Feasibility is a key criterion for proposal selection, and a qualified artist committed to the project is an indicator of feasibility.
Work Samples: [Limit 10 files, high resolution jpeg, pdf, mp3, or mp4 files only]
Visual representations of past work that demonstrate qualifications for this project, including experience in community engagement around public art programming. In order to be considered for this project, Applicants must upload a total of 10 images, video, and/or audio clips that represent no more than 3 previously completed projects. Slides, prints, or any physical submissions of artwork will not be accepted. Each of the files must include the title of the image/performance, year, location, dimensions, materials, media, length (if performance based), and brief description associated with that piece. For any commissioned project(s), also include client and budget.
Project Budget: [See downloadable sample below – Exhibit C, PDF or DOC format only]
An itemized budget showing the proposed request, other funding (and whether it is pending or committed) and all expenses, including artist(s) fees, fees to any other individual to create and/or facilitate the project, all materials and supplies, and insurance.
Copy of currant Insurance coverage maintained by the organization
Note that the program cannot start until the City’s Risk Management office approves the organization’s insurance coverage.
Letters of Support (optional):
A maximum of 3 letters will be accepted. If letter is in language other than English, please provide English translation.
Additional material included that is not requested by the Arts & Culture Office will not be reviewed.

Additional Information

The organization selected through this CFP process must agree to maintain liability insurance, which will insure and indemnify the artist(s) and the City of Santa Ana during the term of the contract and for one year after acceptance of the project, unless the requirement is waived by the City of Santa Ana.

The City of Santa Ana is not obligated to select a finalist from the submitted CFPs and reserves the right to cancel this CFP at any time.
Submitting an application to this CFP does not constitute an expressed or implied contract.
Applicants submitting will receive notification of the results of the selection process.
Application materials will not be returned.
All submissions become the property of the City and may be published in print and/or the City’s website. The City will own any copyrights to the artwork for purposes, including commercial, that they deem in their interest to utilize.
This CFP is subject to ordinances in effect in the City of Santa Ana.