City Kennel Public Art- Call for Artists

The City of Cleveland, through its Public Art Program, is requesting qualifications from artists or designers or teams thereof who may be interested in producing public artwork for the recently opened Cleveland Kennel, which is operated by the city’s Division of Animal Care and Control.

Rather than submit pre-conceived proposals, the selected artist will work with shelter and other city staff, neighborhood residents, and other stakeholders to develop innovative, original art related to the mission of the kennel and reflective of the surrounding neighborhood.

The Public Art Program
The Public Art Program requires that certain major capital projects undertaken by the City set aside 1.5% of their project budgets for use toward public art. Program requirements are that the artwork is in proximity to the improvements that generated the funding for the artwork.

Eligibility
This competition is open to qualified artists and designers or teams thereof, aged 18 and over and based in Northeast Ohio.

Project site
The new Cleveland Kennel is located on a five-acre remediated brownfield site at 9203 Detroit Avenue. The kennel is in Ward 15, at the junction of the Detroit Shoreway and Cudell neighborhoods. The new kennel has replaced an obsolete and overcrowded kennel with a larger, state-of-the-art facility that provides improved medical treatment facilities, more exercise and play space, and, in general, better conditions for animals, workers, and the numerous volunteers who support the facility.

Project scope
After polling kennel staff, volunteers, and other related parties regarding the kind of public art they would like to see at the kennel, it was determined that the best-suited artwork would be canine-themed, beautify the kennel, and help create a happier, more welcoming atmosphere. Potential ideas submitted by respondents were:
 Artistic landscaping that adds features along walking areas
 Artistic seating along the walking areas
 “Cuddle huts” or shelter destinations/shade structures along the walking areas or in the play yards
 Outdoor sculptures

While the artists and designers are not limited to these specific ideas, it must be noted that the artwork may not be attached to the exterior of the kennel building. Additionally, artists and designers considering outdoor installations should be aware that there are conceptual plans for improvements to the kennel’s outdoor area to make dog-walking and socializing easier and less prone to weather-related limitations. This will need to be considered as they design and will require consultation with city staff during that process. Ultimately, the artwork should be impactful and enhance the experience of staff, volunteers, and visitors to the kennel.

Project budget
The budget for this project is $58,147. The budget is all-inclusive and required to cover all public art-related expenses, including, but not limited to, design or artist fee, engineering, fabrication, and installation.

Submission requirements
Artists or teams are required to submit a one-page narrative describing their qualifications and explaining why they would be interested in working on this project. Artists should indicate what approaches they would take to this project and make note of how they would involve kennel staff and volunteers, neighborhood residents, and others in developing their design.
Additionally, artists are required to submit, in electronic format:
 An up-to-date CV or resume;
 Up to 10 images depicting completed relevant work in JPEG or PNG format (none of the images may contain identifying information), suitable for inclusion in a PPT or PDF presentation; and
 An annotated slide list for the depicted artworks, including location, commissioning agency, materials, and total project budget. Submitters should note what their role was in producing the works depicted.
Up to three artists or designers or teams thereof will be invited to interview with City of Cleveland’s Public Art Committee.

Submission deadline
Submissions must be received by 5 p.m. Cleveland time, on Friday, February 28, 2020. Entries may be submitted electronically to both Tarra Petras, the city’s public art project coordinator, at tpetras@city.cleveland.oh.us and Vince Reddy of LAND studio at vreddy@land-studio.org. LAND studio currently provides administrative services to the Public Art Program.
Direct questions to Vince Reddy at the e-mail address above or 216-621-5413, ext. 107.