Request for Submissions
Project: Permanent Sculpture
Deadline: Monday, July 17, 2017, 12:00 pm CST

Project Summary
The San Marcos Arts Commission is seeking artists who reside in the United States to submit proposals and renderings depicting the way they would interpret through a free-standing kinetic sculpture the Texas Blind Salamander and/or the San Marcos Salamander. The Budget for this project cannot exceed $45,000 and shall include all costs associated with the design, fabrication, installation and transportation of the sculpture to San Marcos as well as estimated maintenance costs for 10 years. This sculpture will be placed in the San Marcos Sculpture Garden.

Project Background and Goals
The Texas blind salamander is highly adapted for life in an aquatic, underground environment. Since it lives in total darkness, it has no need for vision, and its eyes are reduced to two black spots. It lacks pigment and appears a translucent white color. The head is wide and flattened. Bright red gills protrude from the throat area and are present from birth. They reach only 3.5 to 5.5 inches in length and have thin, elongated legs to support their weight. Their finned tail makes up a large portion of their body length. These salamanders have a very restricted range. They are only found in water-filled caves fed by the Edwards Aquifer in Hays County, Texas. Because their range is so restricted and they are facing water pollution and overuse threats, the salamanders are incredibly vulnerable to extinction. They are Federally listed as Endangered, and they are also bred in captivity. (Source: National Wildlife Federation Website)

The goal of this public art project is to bring awareness to the public about this endangered species while increasing the presence of public art in our community.

Artwork submitted for this project should meet the following guidelines
• The kinetic sculpture shall creatively represent the unique characteristics of the Texas Blind Salamander and/or the San Marcos Salamander in an original, uplifting and educational manner.
• Sculpture must be designed for long term installation outdoors, and be constructed from materials which do not require excessive ongoing maintenance, such as steel, concrete, bronze, aluminum, stone, glass.
• Paint or materials used on the sculpture, or as part of the construction, must be free from lead and will not deteriorate in sunlight, rain, heat, cold, and subsequently negatively affect the permeable ground-cover, plants, or environment.
• Religious, political, violent or artwork sexual in nature will not be considered.
• No use of names, or logos.
• Kinetic: any moving parts should not present a danger to bystanders and must be powered by self-generating energy sources.
Submissions
Artist Eligibility
Artists/ Artists Teams, at least 18 years of age, working within the United State are eligible to submit their qualifications and letter of interest, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, or physical or mental disability. City of San Marcos employees, as well as selection panelists and their immediate family members are not eligible for participation.

Submission Requirements
• Letter of Interest. Please include contact information. If applying as a team, include information for all team members and designate a lead contact.
• Examples of previous art projects, particularly Public Art projects
• Conceptual Design drawings.
• List of proposed materials.
• Maintenance Plans
• Project Budget

You are welcome to submit more than one design.

Evaluation Criteria
Artists/Artist Teams will be evaluated on the following criteria:
• Previous experience in the development and installation of similar public art projects;
• Proven ability to work within a team of architects, engineers and city staff on similar projects and similar budgets;
• Artistic merit and ability as evidenced in images submitted;
• Experience working with materials suited or adaptable to an outside environment;
• Demonstrated ability to meet project deadlines, and to produce work in a timely and professional manner;
• Quality and completeness of the submission.

Selection Process and Timetable-Subject to Change
March 14, 2017 Submission Period Begins
March 27, 2017 Deadline to Submit Proposals
June 15, 2017 Re-open Call for Artists
July 17, 2017 Deadline to Submit Proposals
July 18-25, 2017 Review Submissions
August 2017 Selection and Approval Process

Please submit proposals by July 17, 2017 to:
City of San Marcos Parks and Recreation Department
c/o Lisa Morris
630 E. Hopkins
San Marcos, TX 78666
Or email [email protected]
Phone: 512-393-8400