Highland Park Seeks Outdoor Sculpture To Mark 150th Anniversary

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — The Cultural Arts Commission is looking for proposals for a new outdoor sculpture in Highland Park to celebrate the city's 150th anniversary. The city's sesquicentennial steering committee identified the Highland Park Fire Department headquarters as the preferred site for the new public art, although alternative sites may be suggested. The city has invited interested and experienced artists to come check out the site later this month in person and discuss criteria for the piece and said it hoped to unveil a new piece of public art next year.

The total budget for the project is $80,000. The art must be durable, of appropriate size for the location and self-contained (no water or electricity lines.) The city may move or remove it at any time, for any reason. Also, it may decide to reject all proposals.

According to its request for proposals, the 150th anniversary sculpture should engage the viewer in "imaginative interaction and reflection," add to the city's livability, reflect on the "innovative energies and creative values" of the community and add to the prestige of the city's art collection, among other things.

The art will be rated on several criteria, including the ability of the art to meet city goals and requirements, the qualification of the artist, any connection between the artist and Highland Park, the proposed budget, timeline and any past work, according to the RFP.

Interested artists were invited to attend a voluntary site walk-through at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 28 or Monday, Oct. 29 and learn more about the site. In addition to a resume and a low- or no-maintenance plan, artists should submit at least 10 high-resolution images of past work, including at least two projects installed on outdoor sites.

Responses to the RFP questions are due Nov. 5, with a final due date of Nov. 19. Finalists will be selected Nov. 29 and interviewed the following week. The commission will make recommendations the week of Dec. 10 and the City Council would be expected to select artwork Jan. 7, 2019 and installed by the end of September 2019, amid a year of planned "HP 150" celebrations

City staff may negotiate a contract if the City Council grants approval. If staff and a selected artist are unable to reach a satisfactory agreement, the arts commission may advise an alternative choice.

Read complete Request for Proposals