Call for Art: Farmers Market Sunshade, Ann Arbor, MI

CALL FOR ART: FARMERS MARKET SUNSHADE, ANN ARBOR, MI 

BUDGET: $50,000

OPPORTUNITY 

The Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority’s (DDA) Elevate Program aims to fund public art and placemaking installations that enhance the downtown experience for all people.  Reflective of this commitment to public art and the Elevate Program goals, the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority is seeking to commission an artist or artist team to design and install a unique shade structure at the Farmers Market in Ann Arbor, MI.  The DDA is open to proposals of different mediums, including fabric or rigid materials, and desires a work that is positive, balances shade and light for different times of the year, and involves color.

PROJECT BACKGROUND 

The Ann Arbor Farmers Market is in the Kerrytown neighborhood of downtown Ann Arbor, MI.  The market proudly brings fresh produce, farm products, prepared food, beverages, and artisan items to the community all year. The market has been in its current location since 1930, after opening in 1919, next to the County Courthouse. The market’s roof was a WPA project completed in 1941. The 105-year-old market is producer-only, featuring 125 vendors from Michigan. The market is open every Saturday and Wednesday from May to December and every from Saturday from January to April.    

The adjacent plaza was constructed in 2019 as part of a street reconstruction project.  The neighborhood is home to Community High School and several other Ann Arbor attractions, including Zingerman’s Deli, the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, Kerrytown Concert House, the Ann Arbor Artisans’ Market, and more. In addition to the weekly Farmers Market, the neighborhood annually hosts Kindlefest and the African American Festival. The neighborhood is considered very family-friendly and walkable.

The site for the shade structure is on the east side of the Farmers Market at the intersection of Detroit Street and N 5th Avenue in the recently constructed plaza space.  This area is equipped with new picnic tables and landscaping to make space for visitors and residents to socialize, enjoy the offerings of the market and businesses of Kerrytown, and take leisure. This public art project should create a comfortable space by providing shade and adding a creative, visual, and experiential component to the shared urban space.

Download Project Images and Site Plan: Visit the Ann Arbor Art Center's Call-for-Art webpage.

ELIGIBILITY 

The DDA is seeking an artist, architect, or design team who can commit to working remotely and in Ann Arbor as necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of this project. Any artist or artist team residing in the United States can apply.

TIMELINE 

All dates except the submission deadline are approximate, subject to change, and are presented for guidance only.

• Call Submission Deadline: October 20, 2024 at 11:59pm Eastern Time
• 3 Semi-finalists Selected: mid-November, 2024
• Semi-finalists Proposals Due and Interviews coordinated: mid-December, 2024
• Finalist Awarded: February 2025
• Project Completion and Installation: Summer 2025

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Written Proposal Statement and Visual Support (i.e. sketch, photo, rendering, or other) 
• CV/Resume
• 3 References
• Artist Bio
• 5-10 Past Work Images. Videos are permitted.

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process shall be a two-stage effort.   A panel of representatives from the DDA, City of Ann Arbor, Kerrytown neighborhood, and other designees will review applications.  Applicants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:  

• Artist Written Proposal Statement and Visual Support
• Quality, creativity, and strength of past work examples
• Demonstrated experience, interest, and qualifications to complete a permanent, durable, outdoor public artwork within budget, timeline, and technical constraints.
• Artist/Designer Resume and References
• Alignment with project goals

The selection panel will choose three semi-finalists. The three semi-finalists will further their concept and create site-specific proposals and renderings for the DDA’s final selection. These artists or artist teams will then be interviewed in person or virtually. Semi-finalists will be paid a $1000 honorarium for this work.  Semi-finalists must submit a complete W-9 to receive payment, and the final selected artist will sign a contract for the artwork provided by the City.

APPLY TO THIS CALL: 

Visit the Ann Arbor Art Center's Calls-for-Art Webpage and click the "Apply" button on the Farmers Market Call Section.  This will bring applicants to CaFE's Submission Webpage where applicants can find further details of the call and submit their proposal. 

FOR QUESTIONS:

This Call-for-Art is managed in collaboration with the DDA by the Ann Arbor Art Center’s Art in Public Program.  Please direct your questions to The Ann Arbor Art Center [email protected] | 734-926-4122