05/28/2009

Request for proposals for a downtown bike rack.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 28, 2009
CONTACT:
Lisa Davol, Turners Falls RiverCulture, Phone: 413-230.9910
riverculture@montague-ma.gov www.turnersfallsriverculture.org
Turners Falls RiverCulture Project announces call to artists for artful bike rack.
The Turners Falls RiverCulture Project invites artists to submit proposals for design and construction of a bike rack to be placed on Avenue A near the Shea Theater in downtown Turners Falls. The rack will provide safe and creative bike parking, which is currently not available in the center of town. Designs themes are open to creative contemporary interpretations of Turners Falls' sense of place and should reference the character, history, fabric of the local community. Deadline for proposals is July 30, 2009 and total project budget is $3,000.

This design initiative aims to: 1)encourage bikers on the canalside bike path to come downtown to dine, shop and visit cultural attractions 2) encourage biking as an alternate mode of transportation. 3) support artists' ability to creatively address needs in a community 4) highlight the vibrant artistic energy of Turners Falls.

The RiverCulture Project is a dynamic partnership of leaders from the Turners Falls arts, cultural and business communities joined together to strengthen the creative and cultural industries and enhance the wide variety of cultural activities that Turners Falls has to offer residents and visitors. RiverCulture believes that experiencing the arts and cultural activities significantly enhances quality of life and is a vital component to a healthy community. By highlighting Turners Falls heritage and many local assets as it cultivates creative endeavors, RiverCulture intends to engender a strong sense of place.

Details available on the RiverCulture website www.turnersfallsriverculture.org or by contacting Lisa Davol at 413-230-9910 or riverculture@montague-ma.gov. Please see further details below:

Turners Falls RiverCulture Project
Call for Bike Rack Designs
Turners Falls, MA
Release date: May 26, 2009
Contact info - Lisa Davol, 413-230-9910, riverculture@montague-ma.gov

Deadline: July 30, 2009

Eligibility: Open to professional artists/designers

Budget: Total, all-inclusive bike rack budget including design, fabrication and installation is $3,000.

Brief Organization Overview: The RiverCulture Project is a dynamic partnership of leaders from the Turners Falls arts, cultural and business communities joined together to strengthen the creative and cultural industries and enhance the wide variety of cultural activities that Turners Falls has to offer residents and visitors. RiverCulture believes that experiencing the arts and cultural activities significantly enhances quality of life and is a vital component to a healthy community. By highlighting Turners Falls heritage and many local assets as it cultivate creative endeavors, RiverCulture intends to engender a strong sense of place.

Cultural activities in Turners Falls include tours of downtown studios and museums, performances at the Shea Theater, a series of exhibits and lectures by internationally-known photographers, lectures on the natural history of the Connecticut River, Outdoor concerts in Peskeomskut Park, art exhibits, crafts fairs, Laundromat fashion show, a downtown Block Party, public art installations, and literary events, among others.

For more information on the RiverCulture Project and project events, please see www.turnersfallsriverculture.org.

Bike Rack Location: The rack will be located on a brick sidewalk on Avenue A, near the Shea Theater in the downtown historic district of Turners Falls, MA. Nestled along the Connecticut River, the downtown is rich in 19th century brick architecture and home to a contemporary photography museum, theater, natural history museum, artist studios, a beautiful scenic riverside bike path, fine dining, performance venues and a growing artistic community. (Please see attached location photos)

SPECIFICATIONS FOR DESIGN
The function of the artistic bicycle rack should be self-evident and easy to use, with the artwork designed in accordance with the following Design Specifications:

• The bike rack must be able to withstand severe outdoor weather with cold and hot temperatures and should be low maintenance with excellent sustainability and be able to withstand occasional contact with snow removal vehicles. It should also be made of non-abrasive material that can be easily maintained and does not scratch or damage bicycle frames.

• All work must be safe to pedestrians and bikers.

• The work must be no greater than 10 feet long and 6 feet wide with bikes attached.

• The bicycle rack must accommodate at least 4 bicycles. The work should be of an appropriate height and design so that it will not create a hazard for visually impaired or physically challenged pedestrians.

• A bicycle should not have to be lifted off the ground more than 6 inches to access and be secured to the rack.

• The artwork must allow for part of the bicycle frame as well as at least one wheel to be secured to the rack.

• Most sizes and shapes of bicycle frames and bicycle wheels should be able to use the rack and secured with generic, commonly available bike locks and chains.

• Designs themes are wide open and creative contemporary interpretations of Turners Falls' sense of place are encouraged.

• It would be advantageous to have a portion of the piece be highly placed or have some kind of marker jutting up from the piece to serve as an indicator of its existence to snow plow operators who may not know it is there when buried in a pile of plowed snow.

Review Criteria
Key considerations:
• Safety
• Reference the character, history, fabric of the local community
• Environmentally friendly design
• Durability
• Easy maintenance

How to Apply
Submit a proposal and SEVEN COPIES to include:

1. Description of proposed bike rack.
2. Description of materials and assembly.
3. Sketch of proposed rack
4. Budget
5. Resume with current contact information.
6. Up to 10 clearly labeled digital images of relevant past work from different angles. 35 mm slides will not be accepted. Please submit JPEGs on CD and name each image to include your 1st initial and your last name. Please include a corresponding, numbered, annotated image list with title, media, dimensions, location, brief description and date of the work, project budget, and project partners, if applicable.
7. Three references of relevant past projects with contact information, including email and telephone number(s).
8. Optional: Additional support material, including press clippings or other relevant information on past projects.

No faxes or emailed entries will be accepted. Materials will not be returned. Participants are solely responsible for the timely arrival of their entries. Participants, by virtue of entering the competition, agree to hold harmless the organizers, sponsors and anyone else involved with the competition for any delay, damage or loss, real or perceived.

SELECTION PROCESS
A selection committee made up of RiverCulture Project partners, town officials and independent jurors specializing in the field will review proposal submissions and background information to select the winning proposals.

PROJECT TIMELINE
Wednesday, May 26, 2009 Release Call to Artists
Thursday July 30, 5pm RFP deadline (received)
Mid September, Artist/designer announced
Spring 2010 Projected installation

CONTACT
Lisa Davol, Cultural Coordinator, Turners Falls RiverCulture Project
413.230.9910 or riverculture@montague-ma.gov

SEND ORIGINAL PROPOSAL AND SEVEN COPIES OF MATERIALS TO
Lisa Davol
Department of Planning and Conservation/ Turners Falls RiverCulture Project
Town of Montague, One Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA 01376

###################################################################################

 

Print