Summary
Friends of Hutchinson Playground is issuing a Request for Qualifications for artists to design, fabricate, and install public artwork. The project, as prioritized by the community, is a nature-themed sculpture to mark the north entryway to the park.
This permanent art installation will be part of a full renovation of Hutchinson Playground, and play a critical role in achieving the overarching goal to create a beautiful park that reflects and welcomes the many cultures of Rainier Beach. Plans for the park’s renovation include a new play structure, new courts (including basketball, pickleball and tennis), new playfields (including baseball and soccer), and new accessible entrances and pathways throughout the park. The 60% design will be completed in Q2 of 2025, and construction is happening in 2026. More information at www.hutchinsonpark.org and https://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/projects/hutchinson-playground-renovation
Neighborhood Context
Emerson Elementary is located right next to Hutchinson Playground,
and uses it everyday for recess. Furthermore, the park has a shelter
house that is used for summer and after school programming. We want to inspire these young minds – we envision art that evokes interaction, curiosity, playfulness, imagination and creativity of children.
“Diverse” is the most common description and positive aspect
community members use to identify Rainier Beach. As Emerson’s demographics indicate, the surrounding neighborhood is extraordinarily diverse – there are at least 167 primary languages spoken within the park’s zip code! We’re looking for artwork that
welcomes and reflects the different cultures of our neighborhood.
Rainier Beach is an area that has been disenfranchised throughout
Seattle’s history, and continues to be underinvested in. As a result, the park has not always been a safe place for our community to recreate. But we are a proud, resilient community that continues to believe in and work for a better future. We’re looking for work of the highest quality because this community deserves the best.
There is strong community support for art – 91% said yes!
Budget Details
North Entryway Art (est. cost $110,000 inclusive of design, fabrication and installation):
- Decorative forms (e.g. pillars or sculptures) to frame the north entryway to Hutchinson Park.
- Forms must center on a nature theme.
- The forms must be structurally sound, not obstruct access to the park entrance and comply with accessibility regulations.
- Created from a durable and easy to maintain material that is conducive to a public park environment.
- Will be at least 10 ft in height to make a visual impact as individuals enter the park.
- May be lit by lights to provide nighttime visibility
Timeline and Process
Phase 1: Request for Qualifications (RFQ)
RFQs should be submitted no later than Friday, February 28th, 2025 by 5 pm PST. Friends of Hutchinson Playground will review all submitted RFQs and determine the top three choices based on our selection criteria.
Phase 2: Proposal and Final Selection
Stipends of $1,000 will be given to each of the top three candidates to develop a full design proposal. The three final designs will be reviewed by Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR), and then will be presented to the Rainier Beach community at-large. Community members will select the final artist Q2 2025.
Phase 3: Design and Installation
Final design and refinement in collaboration with SPR will take place in Q2-Q3 of 2025. We anticipate that installation will occur in 2026.
RFQ Requirements
To be considered for the contract, applicants must submit the following by February 28th @ 5pm PST :
- Written essay questions
- A CVV or Resume outlining work experience
- 8-10 images of your artwork, with descriptions including:
- Title, location, cost/budget, date completed, materials, dimensions, commissioning agency (if applicable), and project partners (if applicable).
- Must include at least 2 examples of nature-themed art.
Everything should be submitted through this Artist Application Form: https://forms.gle/RVSExVun55kfwuhU9
Scoring Criteria:
- Connection to South Seattle and Rainier Beach 7pts
- Experience creating public sculptures 7pts
- Clarity of nature theme 5pts
- Kid friendliness 5pts
- Craftsmxnship 5pts
- Artistic excellence 5pts
- Overall Impression 5pt
Requirements
To contract with the City of Seattle, artists will need: 1) a UBI/EIN number, 2) a City of Seattle Business License, and 3) Insurance coverage
- Commercial General Liability (CGL) and Automobile Liability insurance with a minimum limit of liability of $1,000,000 each occurrence combined single limit bodily injury and property damage.
- The CITY shall be included as an additional insured for primary limits of liability and non-contributory limits of liability for limits available to the artist, whether such insurance is primary, excess, contingent or otherwise.
- The ARTIST shall require that its authorized insurance representative issue certification of insurance, including documentation of additional insured status for the CITY, to the CITY.
Friends of Hutchinson Playground is committed to reflecting the diversity and cultural richness of our city in the selection of artists and artworks. We strongly encourage applications from BIPOC applicants, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and other historically excluded groups to apply. Artists
will be selected based on the strength of past work and the fit of their concept for the project.
Questions?
We’re here to help you with your application! Please let us know if you have questions or would like help with your submission (Note: We won’t advise on content, but will tell you whether or not it’s complete 😉 ). Contact us at: HutchinsonPark@googlegroups.com
