PUBLIC ART COMMISSION

PUBLIC ART COMMISSION CITY OF RICHMOND

Maggie L. Walker Commemoration RFQ Call for Artists –

Request for Qualifications – Call for Artists Commission of Artwork Commemorating Maggie L. Walker

Submission Deadline: July 18, 2014, 5:00 P.M. EDT Estimated Budget: $300,000

The City of Richmond Public Art Commission seeks to commission an artist to create outdoor public art commemorating Maggie L. Walker.

A. ELIGIBILITY

The City of Richmond's Public Art Program is open to all professional artists, regardless of race, gender, age, belief, or national origin. While artists from the Richmond metropolitan area are encouraged to participate, there are no geographic boundaries affecting eligibility or selection. The primary criteria will be: 1) artistic merit, 2) placemaking experience, 3) experience in collaborative public art processes, 4) project management experience, 5) technical expertise, and 6) statement of approach.

B. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The City of Richmond Public Art Commission seeks to commission an artist to create outdoor public art commemorating Maggie L. Walker. The commission encourages both representational and abstract artists to apply. The artwork will be located in the Jackson Ward neighborhood in Richmond, Virginia. The project is overseen by the Maggie L. Walker Site Selection Team (SST), which has 11 members from the Public Art Commission and the Richmond community. The SST will select the artist, approve the artwork, and select and approve the artwork location.

1. Theme: The artwork will commemorate the life and accomplishments of Maggie L. Walker. “Maggie Walker devoted her life to civil rights advancement, economic empowerment, and educational opportunities for Jim Crow-era African Americans and women. As a bank president, newspaper editor, and fraternal leader, Walker served as an inspiration of pride and progress.”1 Maggie L. Walker’s legacy extends beyond Jackson Ward throughout the Richmond region and nation. For a longer biography of Ms. Walker, see Appendix 1: Maggie L. Walker’s Biography.

During public meetings in April 2014, the community discussed the characteristics they associate with Maggie L. Walker, what her achievements mean to them, and the message they would want artwork commemorating her to convey. A common theme during the discussions was that the artwork should inspire future generations and share Maggie Walker’s legacy with an audience beyond Jackson Ward and Richmond. During the public meetings several words were frequently repeated to describe Maggie L. Walker: perseverance, strength, leader, vision, bold, and community.The full public meeting report can be found in Appendix 2: April 2014 Public Meeting Report.

2. Goals: Artists should consider the following goals for the artwork: − Stimulate thought/discussion and inspire viewers − Celebrate the legacy of Maggie L. Walker

1 Maggie Walker National Historic Site, website: http://www.nps.gov/mawa/index.htm


− Serve as a gateway or gathering place for the community and visitors − Engage both children and adults − Develop the artwork with community input

3. Location: The Maggie L. Walker Commemoration will be located in the historic Jackson Ward neighborhood. Currently, there are two areas where the artwork could be located: Abner Clay Park and Lone Pine Park. The final artwork may be in either or both locations. The final location of the artwork will be selected by the SST with input from the artist. Plans and aerials of Abner Clay Park and Lone Pine Park can be found in Appendix 3: Potential Locations.

4. Public Engagement: Public engagement is a key component of this project. The selected artist will engage with the community:

− Public presentation: The selected artist will be presented to the public at a public meeting. During this meeting the artist’s past work will be displayed and the SST will discuss why the artist was selected for this commission.

− Stakeholder interviews: Prior to developing the artwork, the selected artist will meet with key stakeholder groups who are knowledgeable about Maggie L. Walker’s life and achievements. These small group meetings will help the artist develop the artwork.

The public presentation and stakeholder interviews will be coordinated by the SST to occur in the same week.

5. Estimated Budget: The budget for the completed and installed artwork is up to $300,000. The budget includes artwork fabrication, delivery, and installation, as well as the artist fee, travel, and other direct costs.

6. Estimated Timeline: Thursday, June 19, 2014 Pre-proposal webinar at 1:00 P.M. EDT Friday, July 18, 2014 All applications due by 5:00 P.M. EDT Late summer / early fall 2014 Finalists selected and interviewed, Artist selected Fall 2014 Public meeting and stakeholder interviews

The timeline for the artwork development and approval is flexible depending on the artist’s schedule. Ideally, the project will be completed and installed by December 2015.

C. SELECTION PROCESS + CRITERIA

The Public Art Commission has appointed the Maggie L. Walker Site Selection Team to select the artist. The selection process will have two rounds.

Round One: The SST will evaluate all submissions based on six criteria: − Artistic merit − Placemaking experience − Experience in collaborative public art processes − Project management experience − Technical expertise − Statement of approach


Round Two: The SST will identify up to three finalists to interview via Skype or in person in Richmond. An honorarium of $500 will be paid to each finalist. In addition to reviewing qualifications and previous experience in detail, panelists will discuss with the finalists their approaches to the project and respond to questions. A specific proposal is not expected at this interview.

The SST will choose the artist for the project and forward that recommendation to the Public Art Commission and the Planning Commission. Upon approval by the Commissions, a scope of services and contract will be developed.

D. APPLICATION MATERIALS

Three (3) copies of each package must be submitted along with one (1) CD-ROM or USB jump drive containing all the application materials. Application materials will not be returned.

1. Letter of Interest (Required): A letter not to exceed two pages outlining your interest in this project, experience working on comparable projects, and statement of approach.

Submitted in .doc or .pdf format: titled “Lastname_Firstname_letter”

2. Professional Resume (Required): A resume not to exceed two pages. Include artist’s training, professional experience, and art and public art commissions. If applying as a team, submit a resume for each team member.

Submitted in .doc or .pdf format: titled “Lastname_Firstname_resume”

3. Digital Images (Required): A maximum of ten (10) digital images of a variety of prior projects. Ten images per application, not per team member. You may include one video to substitute for one of the still images. Each image should be no larger than 1 MB and must be at least 72 dpi. Videos must be .avi or .mp4 format and no longer than 3 minutes. Do not embed images in a PowerPoint presentation. Number the images in the order in which you like them to be shown.

Submitted in .jpeg, .avi or .mp4 format: titled “Lastname_Firstname_image#”

4. Image Identification List (Required): An image identification list corresponding to the submitted digital images and video. Each image description should include: image number, title, date of completion, media, dimensions (height x width x depth, in feet), location, project budget, final project cost, and a brief description of the artwork. The list must be labeled with the artist’s name.

Submitted in .doc or .pdf format: titled “Lastname_Firstname_list”

5. References (Required): A list of three (3) prior project references with contact information (name, title, organization, mailing address, phone number, and email address) and a brief description of the relationship.

Submitted in .doc or .pdf format: titled “Lastname_Firstname_references”

6. Support Materials (Optional): A maximum of three (3) pieces of support materials, such as exhibition announcements, reviews, or newspaper clippings.


E. PRE-PROPOSAL INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR

There will be a pre-proposal information webinar on Thursday, June 19, 2014 at 1:00 P.M. EDT City staff will give an overview of the project including the project theme, location, and process. Staff will be present to answer questions about the project scope, submission requirements, and the selection process and criteria. Please RSVP for the webinar by contacting Matthew Ebinger (804-646-6308, [email protected]). Mr. Ebinger will email the webinar log-in information to all individuals who have RSVPed for the event.

F. APPLICATION SUBMISSION

Submit all materials described in Section E in a sealed envelope by July 18, 2014 at 5 P.M. EDT to: Matthew Ebinger Re: Maggie L. Walker Commemoration City of Richmond Department of Planning and Development Review 900 East Broad Street, Room 511 Richmond, VA 23219

G. PROJECT CONTACT

Forward any and all inquiries about this project, the application process, and the required materials to: Matthew Ebinger, Public Art Commission Secretary, 900 East Broad Street, Room 511, Richmond, VA 23219; 804-646-6308, [email protected]

H. APPENDICES: SUPPORTING MATERIALS

The following documents are attached as appendices to this RFQ Call for Artists: APPENDIX 1: Maggie L. Walker’s Biography .................................... Page A-1 APPENDIX 2: April 2014 Public Meeting Report ............................... Page A-3 APPENDIX 3: Potential Locations ..................................................... Page A-13

Updates to this RFQ will be posted on the Public Art Commission Website:

www.richmondgov.com/content/CommissionPublicArt/

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.richmondgov.com/content/CommissionPublicArt/

APPENDIX 1: Maggie L. Walker’s Biography

Maggie L. Walker Commemoration A - 1

This biography is from the National Park’s Service website for the Maggie L. Walker House. Source: http://www.nps.gov/mawa/historyculture/index.htm Who Was Maggie Lena Walker? Introduction In spite of humble beginnings in post-Civil War Richmond, Virginia, Maggie Lena Walker achieved national prominence as a businesswoman and community leader. Her business acumen, personality, and lifelong commitment to a beneficial burial society fueled her climb to success. She was the first African American woman in the United States to found a bank. As a leader her successes and vision offered tangible improvements in the way of life for African Americans and women. Achievements When she was a teenager, Maggie Mitchell joined the local council of the Independent Order of St. Luke. This fraternal burial society, established in 1867 in Baltimore, administered to the sick and aged, promoted humanitarian causes and encouraged individual self-help and integrity. She served in numerous capacities of increasing responsibility for the Order, from that of a delegate to the biannual convention to the top leadership position of Right Worthy Grand Secretary in 1899, a position she held until her death. Under her leadership the Order's membership and numbers of councils were significantly increased throughout the country and its finances achieved solvency. Through sound fiscal policies, a genius for public relations and enormous energy, she took a dying organization, gave it life and helped it thrive. In 1902 Mrs. Walker established a newspaper, The St. Luke Herald, to promote closer communication between the Order and the public. In speeches Mrs. Walker had reasoned, "Let us put our money together; let us use our money; Let us put our money out at usury among ourselves, and reap the benefit ourselves." In 1903 she founded the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank. Mrs. Walker served as the bank's first president, which earned her the recognition of being the first African American woman to charter a bank in the United States. Later she agreed to serve as chairman of the board of directors when the bank merged with two other Richmond banks to become The Consolidated Bank and Trust Company. Until 2009, the bank thrived as the oldest continually African American-operated bank in the United States. In addition to her work for the Independent Order of St. Luke, Maggie Walker was active in civic groups. As an advocate of African American women's rights, she served on the board of trustees for several women's groups. Among them were the National Association of Colored Women (NACW) and the Virginia Industrial School for Girls. To assist race relations she helped to organize and served locally as vice president of the National Association for

Source: Witherspoon Collection, Valentine Museum, Richmond, Virginia

http://www.nps.gov/mawa/historyculture/index.htm

APPENDIX 1: Maggie L. Walker’s Biography


the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and was a member of the national NAACP board. She also served as a member of the Virginia Interracial Commission. Family Life Maggie Lena Mitchell was born in Richmond, Virginia July 15, 1864. Her mother, Elizabeth Draper, was a former slave and assistant cook in the Church Hill mansion of Elizabeth Van Lew, a Civil War spy. Later Elizabeth and her husband William Mitchell moved the family to their own home in an alley between Broad and Marshall streets where Maggie and her brother Johnnie were raised. After the untimely death of William Mitchell, Maggie's mother supported the family by working as a laundress and young Maggie helped by delivering the clean clothes. Maggie Mitchell was educated in Richmond's public schools. After graduation she taught grade school for three years. Her teaching career ended in 1886 when she married Armstead Walker Jr. She then directed her energies toward caring for her family and strengthening the Independent Order of St. Luke. Life was full and prosperous for the Walkers and their sons, Russell and Melvin. Tragedy struck in 1915 when her husband was accidentally killed, leaving Mrs. Walker to manage a large household. Her work and investments kept the family comfortably situated. When her sons married they brought their wives to 110 1/2 East Leigh Street. A major addition to the house in 1922 enabled Mrs. Walker to provide a home for her sons and their families, her mother, and the household staff. Mrs. Walker's health gradually declined, and by 1928 she was using a wheelchair. Despite her physical limitations she remained actively committed to her life's work including chairman of the bank and leader of the Independent Order of St. Luke until her death on December 15,1934.

APPENDIX 2: April 2014 Public Meeting Report


APPENDIX 3: Potential Locations


The exact location for the Maggie L. Walker Commemoration has not been determined yet. The final site will be selected by the SST with input from the artist.

Jackson Ward Two sites within Jackson Ward are being considered at this time: Abner Clay Park and Lone Pine Park



Abner Clay Park –Today Abner Clay Park is bounded by W. Leigh Street, Brook Road, and Clay Street. The aerial below shows Abner Clay Park in its current state. The Department of Parks and Recreation has a plan to redevelop the park. The plan is shown on the next page.



Abner Clay Park – Conceptual Plan This is the conceptual plan for the park.



Lone Pine Park Lone Pine Park is bounded by Broad Street, Adams Street, and Broad Street.

PUBLIC ART COMMISSION

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