Manayunk Roving Gallery

The Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, the Manayunk Special Services District (MSSD) and the Manayunk Development Corporation (MDC), are seeking two artists, or artist team, to develop a “roving gallery” of serial artworks on key pedestrian streets in and around the Manayunk business district, for installation in June, 2011. Interested artists should review this RFQ and submit their qualifications, along with a letter of interest, by March 25.

Description of the Project / Scope of Work

Concept: The “roving gallery” would consist of twenty-four to thirty small, two- dimensional artworks (“art panels”) mounted on the exterior walls of buildings, at eye level in places where they will catch the eye of people walking around the community. The entire body of work should foster exploration and discovery of the Main Street and canal areas of Manayunk; we encourage artists to think about how the artworks could be related, as in a series, a narrative, or even a puzzle. It is expected that the artworks would have a duration of three to five years.

Sites: Mural Arts, MSSD and MDC have mapped out priority locations for artists to explore, along the Manayunk Towpath, Cotton Street and Main Street. We are flexible as to how artists organize their works in these locations; we are also open to considering additional locations, as long as they satisfy the goals of the project, and as long as permission can be obtained.

Community process: Mural Arts is committed to giving voice to communities through art. We will ask the artist to develop a process for engaging the community in the development of their concept, but leave that process open to the artist. Mural Arts and MSSD / MDC can provide support in organizing community outreach.

Fabrication and installation: Generally, we envision that the artworks will be painted on parachute cloth, which will be mounted on alumalite panels, which will in turn be mounted on walls. This allows us to be flexible in where the artworks are placed, particularly on walls that cannot be painted on. Mural Arts has investigated materials, installation processes and vendors, and MSSD / MDC is obtaining owner permissions; those arrangements will not be the responsibility of the artist, though materials and installation costs will come from the project budget. We are also open to mounting parachute cloth on walls, or painting directly on walls, should that support the artist’s concept and the goals of the project, and as long as permission can be obtained.

Schedule: Artists or a team will be selected on the basis of qualifications and letter of interest in early April. We will have a draft contract ready at that time, and the artists or team can begin as soon as the contract is signed. The artworks must be ready for installation by the installation team during the week of June 13, and substantially complete by June 22, in time for a dedication to kick off the Manayunk Arts Festival.

Celebration and Arts Festival: The artist will be expected to attend a celebration about the time of the Manayunk Arts Festival (June 25, June 26). The artist will be asked to consider organizing a community engagement activity, such as having children paint their own wall art, or leading tours, during the Arts Festival.

Budget: The budget for the project, including artist fee, materials and installation, is $22,000. While we expect the budget will allow for 24 to 30 small artworks, we may in the course of the project attract additional funding that will allow the project to expand.

Goals for the Project

• Create a unique artwork that supports MSSD / MDCs efforts to commission artworks that raise the profile of the Manayunk shopping corridor, highlight connections between the canal, Main Street and various urban open spaces, and attract audience interest.
• Create a sense of discovery that encourages pedestrians to walk around Manayunk.
• Take advantage of the multiple, dispered locations for artworks by creating a sense of connection, continuity and/or serial experience among the artworks.
• Create artworks in a language that is fresh, new and clearly artistic, distinct from the signage that can be found in the area. The artworks should also fit within the context of Manayunk’s historic architectural fabric and its predominant retail and recreational activities.
• Engage the community in the research phases of the project, and during the Manayunk Arts Festival.

Background on Manayunk

The community of Manayunk fronts the Schuylkill River and the Manayunk Canal, about seven miles northwest of Center City Philadelphia.

The Manayunk Canal was one segment of the 1820s Schuylkill Navigation, a system of canal segments that made possible the transportation of coal and goods between the coal mines of Schuylkill County and the City of Philadelphia. The Manayunk Canal is the only intact segment, complete with inlet and outlet locks.

The canal provided a good source of water power for mills, and an industrial community developed along the canal and up the adjoining hillsides. Manayunk remained an industrial center through the 20th century, with several industries still functioning today. Starting in the 1970s, new interest surfaced in Manayunk and through the 1980s, 90s and until today – the community has evolved with trendy shops and restaurants and boating and bike recreation making use of the old towpath and waterfront.

This project reflects a partnership between two entities committed to the enhancement of Manayunk. The Manayunk Special Services District is providing the funding through the Capital Projects portion of its budget, and the Manayunk Development Corporation is providing the staff to work in partnership with the Mural Arts Program.

Eligibility

This call is open to established and emerging artists, or an artist team, with priority given to artists having a strong connection to Philadelphia, especially Manayunk or East Falls.

How to Respond

Send a letter, two pages maximum, (a) explaining how you would approach this project, including how you would engage the community in the conceptualization and/or creation of the project, (b) describing relevant experience that would contribute to your success in completing this project, and (c) confirming your availability to undertake a project in this timeframe.

Send supplemental materials, as described below.

For More Information

MDC / MSSC / Mural Arts will hold two artist open houses (6-7:30 p.m., Thursday March 10; and 10-11:30 a.m., Monday March 14) to which all artists are invited to come and ask questions. The open houses will be at the MDC offices, 4312 Main Street (corner of Cotton Street). At other times, contact manayunk@muralarts.orgThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Application Procedure

Submit up to eight (8) digital images of your artwork on one disk. 

• Collaborative teams may submit up to six (6) digital images per artist, but no more than 16  images total.
• Images must be saved as JPG files on a CD?ROM at 72 dpi. Do not embed images into a  Powerpoint presentation.
• The maximum pixel dimensions are 1000 in width and 1000 in height.
• The size of each file must not exceed 2MB.
• All images must clearly be labeled with the artist’s last name, first name and number  (order to be viewed).
• Digital images must be labeled correctly. Example: smith_jane_01

Submit five (5) hard copies of the Digital Image Identification Form

• The form must correspond to the numbered images on your CD.

Submit five (5) hard copies of an Artist/Collaborative Statement of Interest

• See instructions under “How to Respond.”

Submit five (5) copies of a current Resume or Bio

• One page typed resume.
• Include three references.
• Collaborative teams may include a resume and references for each member of the team.

Staple together five (5) packets

• Image Identification Form
• Artist or Collaborative Statement
• Resume(s) and references

Place packets and CD in an envelope and deliver to:

Manayunk Roving Gallery RFQ
Mural Arts Program
1729 Mt. Vernon Street
Philadelphia PA  19130

All packets must be received by 4 pm, March 25, 2011.