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 State of Texas to submit proposals and renderings depicting the way they would interpret Texas Wild Rice through a free-standing sculpture. 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 a park along the San Marcos River.

Project Background and Goals
Texas wild-rice is an aquatic perennial grass found only in the upper two miles of the San Marcos River in central Texas. It is related to the wild-rice grown for human food. On a sunny day, this plant’s bright green leaves can be seen waving in the current near the river bottom in areas where the water is clean and clear. This plant is endangered because the river water is being impacted by the growth of the city of San Marcos and increasing numbers of people swimming, canoeing, and tubing the river. Because more people are using water, less underground water is flowing from the springs. Nutria, a non-native rodent that lives in wetland areas, is also a threat because it eats the wild-rice. Texas wild-rice has long green leaves up to 45 inches in length and 1/4 to 1 inch wide. Rice “seeds” are black or brown. (Source: TPWD 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 sculpture shall creatively represent the unique characteristics of the Texas Wild Rice 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 State of Texas 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