Summary:
The City of Ontario, California is accepting proposals from artists for a mural that will be located on the parking structure opposite the Ovitt Family Community Library in downtown Ontario, as well as a smaller complimentary mural inside the library’s youth section. Up to three finalists will be selected and paid a $500 stipend to do a virtual interview, presenting their proposals. Artists working in Southern California who have experience designing, fabricating, and installing murals with a similar budget and scope are encouraged to apply.
Applications are due by Friday, July 14, 2023 (5:00 PM, PST.)
Public Art Project Budget:
The total public art project budget is $90,000 for the two installations. The project budget is all-inclusive of project costs, including artist’s fees and expenses, taxes, materials, permit fees, travel, shipping and crating, insurance fees, permitting, site preparation, fabrication/installation, and execution of the artwork.
Overview:
In 2022, Ontario completed the five-level, 411-space ‘Block C’ parking structure, located on the corner of Lemon Avenue and C Street in downtown Ontario, CA. The structure is directly adjacent to the Ovitt Family Community Library and just east of historical Euclid Avenue. Part of the downtown area’s redevelopment efforts, the design is meant to celebrate the rich heritage of the community while creating a modern urban street front.
Additionally, Ontario City Council recently approved renaming the library’s youth area as the Beverly Cleary Young Reader’s Room, in recognition of the award-winning author’s early history as a resident of Ontario, California.
The City of Ontario has allocated funds to enhance the south wall of the parking structure with a large-scale mural, as well as provide an opportunity for the community to work with the selected public artist to create a smaller related mural inside youth section of the library.
The public art will be implemented as a part of the City of Ontario’s new public art program.
Site Description:
The public art will be sited in two locations:
1. The south wall of the five-story parking structure, located on the corner of Lemon Avenue and C Street in downtown Ontario; the south wall spans approximately 34 feet high and 14½ feet wide.
2. The wall directly behind the front desk in the youth area, which spans approximately 6 feet high and nearly 16 feet wide. For this mural, it is expected that the selected artist will also engage the community with its design and installation.
Public Art Scope and Project Description:
The scope for the public art project focuses on the selected artist designing and installing murals that:
Mural 1:
· Enhance the parking structure so that it provides visual identity to downtown Ontario while also celebrating community and enjoyment of reading.
· Celebrate access to literacy and learning for all ages through books, technology, and community spaces.
Mural 2:
· Enhance the interior of the library with a second mural focusing on author and former Ontario resident Beverly Cleary, her children’s books, and youth literacy.
Selection Process:
An artist selection panel will be convened to evaluate all submissions and select 3 – 4 artist finalists for virtual interviews, where they present their proposal. Pending interviews, one artist and an alternate will be selected for the project. Finalists will receive a $500 stipend.
Selection criteria include the applicant’s professional qualifications, proven ability to complete projects of a similar scope, artistic merit as evidenced by the submitted materials, demonstrated ability to work with government agencies and stakeholders in the creation of site enhancements for a public art project, and a commitment to community engagement in creating public art.
The selected project artist will be recommended by the selection panel for approval by the Ontario Public Art Commission, based on the review of the proposal, relevant images, and other application materials. The selected artist will be required to enter into a contract with the City of Ontario. The Public Art Commission reserves the right to reject any or all applications.
City of Ontario’s Public Art Program:
The City of Ontario is committed to enriching the lives of the city’s residents and visitors by integrating artworks within the community by way of public art. In 2022 the City Council established the Public Art Program that includes sections for public art for private development, acquisitions of public art via loans or donations, and murals. The City of Ontario hopes that public art will encourage dialogue and interaction, enhance locations through visual place-keeping and wayfinding, and is a means to driving tourism as Ontario defines itself as a destination location.
Ontario, California:
Founded as a Model Colony, based on innovation, planned development, community service and family values, the City of Ontario has become the economic heart of the region. The City Council is committed to maintaining Ontario's leadership role in the Inland Empire by continuing to invest in the growth and evolution of the area's economy while providing a balance of jobs, housing, and educational and recreational opportunities for our residents in a safe, well-maintained community.
Timeline*:
· Friday, July 14, 2023 — Deadline for response to RFP (5:59 P.M. PST)
· August 2023 — Finalist notifications, interviews
· September - October 2023 — Artist selection and contract development
· November - December 2023 — Final design approval
· January 2024 — Fabrication, site prep, and installation
· February 2024 — Project complete
*Subject to change.
Eligibility:
This Request for Proposals (RFP) is open to all professional and emerging artists residing in Southern California that are over the age of 18. Inland Empire artists are encouraged to apply. Entries not meeting eligibility requirements will be withdrawn from consideration. Artists must demonstrate that they have successfully completed similar works in the past when submitting their qualifications.
Application Delivery:
Applications are being accepted via the Submittable.com website. No other form of application will be accepted. Late or incomplete applications cannot be considered.
All materials submitted become the property of the City of Ontario.
Submission Requirements:
1. Artist resume. Teams must submit one resume/CV per team member.
2. Letter of interest (1 – 2 page), including outline of your qualifications, relevant experience, and your general approach to this project, method for community engagement, and narrative explaining proposed designs.
3. Digital Images: Five (5) digital images of previously completed artwork within the past five years. You will also need to include descriptions for each image, including: art title, date, dimensions, type of media, location for installation (City, State) and commission cost.
4. Design Proposal: Two (2) images total, one for the parking structure wall, and one for the wall within the youth section.
5. References: Two professional references.
Award of Contract
The City of Ontario reserves the right to accept or reject any submittals and to alter or extend the selection process as needed. This RFP and the selection process shall in no way be deemed as a binding contract or agreement of any kind between the City and the artist. Award of a contract is contingent upon recommendation by the Public Art Commission. The artist selected and approved will contract with the City for the entire duration of the project.
The selected artist will be required to secure and maintain various types of insurance, including Automobile Liability, General Liability, and other insurance as needed. The finalist(s) will be contacted regarding next steps, including an agreement with the City of Ontario (see the Sample Agreement). The selected artist may also be required to obtain an Ontario business license.
The artwork commissioned for this project shall become the property of the City of Ontario. The artwork will be maintained as part of the City’s public art collection.
Links to Additional Materials:
For Further Information: All questions regarding this request for qualifications are to be directed to Kim Boganey, Museum, Arts and Culture Manager, City of Ontario, at kboganey@ontarioca.gov.
ARTWORK DROP-OFF DATES:
Drop-off will be by appointment only from September 7 - September 9, 2023. Appointments will be available by link via email. If assistance is needed, please call Assistant Curator of Exhibitions, Samantha Herrera at (909) 395-2504. The artwork must be hand-delivered to the Ontario Museum of History & Art by the artist or a proxy. Commercially shipped or mailed artwork will not be accepted.
- ALTAR INSTALLATION: September 22 - 23 and September 25 - 27, 2023.
ARTWORK PICK-UP DATES:
Pick-up will be by appointment from Friday, December 1 to Saturday, December 2, 2023. Appointments
will be available by link via email two weeks before the exhibition closing date. The artist must pick up their artwork or provide the museum with a written statement permitting a proxy with a picture I.D. to claim the artwork.
- ALTAR DEINSTALLATION: Saturday, December 2, 2023.
ARTWORK SPECIFICATIONS:
There is a limit of two works per artist. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional artworks in any stable media will be reviewed by museum staff before the artwork has been accepted for the exhibition. To avoid confusion, please title the images of the artwork uploaded in the application ("untitled" if applicable). Two-dimensional works must be framed (or have finished edges) and be ready for hanging with secure wire attached, D-Rings, and/or French cleat; Sawtooth hardware will not be accepted. All artwork must be completely dry and ready to hang by your drop-off date. If the piece is a textile, such as a quilt, please attach a sleeve on the back. There is a weight limit of 50 pounds for 3-dimensional pieces. If your work entails a video, audio, or needs an electrical outlet, please make sure to state it in your application. Artwork that is not prepared correctly for display will not be accepted. Any artwork or installations that contain pests, pet hair, odor, decaying remains, ashes, plant base, food base, liquids, or weapon paraphernalia will not be accepted.
ONSITE SALES OF ARTWORK:
Onsite sales of artwork are not an objective of the Día de Los Muertos exhibition. The Ontario Museum of History & Art is a department of the City of Ontario, Community, Life & Culture Agency, and is not a commercial gallery. The purpose of the exhibit is to provide opportunities for artists of the region to exhibit artwork for the benefit of the City of Ontario and the Museum’s regional audience. The Museum will not represent artists, provide sales prices, or receive commissions for artwork transactions. Sales may not be conducted on the Museum property. The Museum will provide a public space to display artists’ business-style cards. This way, visitor queries will go directly to the artist.
ABANDONED WORKS:
Artwork left unclaimed after the scheduled pick-up date will undergo Museum abandonment procedures. The Museum will attempt to contact or negotiate the object’s return to the lender. In the event that the lender fails to claim their artwork after repeated attempts by the Museum to contact them, the loaned artwork may be subject to the State of California's Unclaimed Loan law, California Civil Code Section 1500 et seq., and/or the provisions of California Civil Code Section 1899 et seq.
The City of Ontario’s Department of Museum, Arts, & Culture and the Chaffey Community Museum of Art are excited to announce the fifth annual Ontario Arts Festival. The festival, which averages approximately 1,000 – 2,000 visitors annually, exemplifies the City’s commitment to making Ontario the destination for arts and culture in the Inland Empire.
The Ontario Arts Festival is seeking independent artists for this year’s annual event! This one-day event features over 50 artist booths offering a wide variety of visual arts, as well as other attractions for Festival visitors, including free entry to museums, food trucks, a beer garden, art activities, and more.
Artists must be a resident of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, or San Bernardino counties. Preference for Pomona Valley residents living in Chino, Chino Hills, Claremont, Corona, Fontana, Montclair, Norco, Ontario, Pomona, Rancho Cucamonga, and Upland.
We accept a wide range of artists and mediums, including but not limited to: fine art, textiles, ceramics, digital art, photography, jewelry, metal, wood and more. Artists residing in California, particularly the Inland Empire region, are strongly encouraged to apply.
All applicants are reviewed by a volunteer jury made up of museum organizations, artists, and local residents.
We are also pleased to introduce a BEST IN SHOW award that will be selected and designated on the day of the festival. The winning artist will receive $500 and bragging rights!
All artists MUST complete the Submittable.com application in order to be considered for the festival. The Ontario Arts Festival has the sole discretion to advise an artist if the work does not comply with Festival standards. If approved, invited artists will receive additional vendor requirements for participating in the event.
A booth application fee of seventy-five dollars ($75.00) will not be collected until the artist has been accepted for participation in the Arts Festival. This nominal fee helps to offset the costs of making this festival possible. This fee is non-refundable.
Event Highlights for Participating Artists:
· Low booth fee ($75) that includes a 10’x10’ canopy, table linens if needed, one 6-foot table, and two chairs.
· Artists keep 100% of their sales transactions – the festival does not take a commission on sales
· Assistance with set-up and take-down
· Wi-Fi onsite
· Free social media kit for artists
· Event t-shirt and promotional items for artists
Application Submittal Requirements
Artists must be a resident of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, or San Bernardino counties. Preference for Pomona Valley residents living in Chino, Chino Hills, Claremont, Corona, Fontana, Montclair, Norco, Ontario, Pomona, Rancho Cucamonga, and Upland.
To get started, fill out the application via Submittable.com. No other form of application will be accepted. Late or incomplete applications cannot be considered.
Things to know:
· Review our rules & guidelines on our website for more information.
· You will need to create a free account with Submittable (this is free of charge.)
· Be sure the email in your Submittable account is correct; this will be our primary method for communication about your application.
Applications must be submitted by the application deadline to be considered.
To get started, fill out the application via the link below.
Summary:
The City of Ontario, California is accepting proposals from local and regional artists in California's Inland Empire for the second round artworks for the city’s Utility Box Public Art Project.
Up to eight finalists will be selected and paid a $1,000 stipend, which will cover all expenses associated with the commissioned utility box art project, including design development, production, and execution as well as any required presentations.
Acrylic paint will be provided by the city of Ontario; the artist is expected to obtain any tools or supplies necessary.
Applications are due by Friday, July 7, 2023 (5:00 PM, PST.)
Overview:
In 2019, the City of Ontario launched the Utility Box Art Program to enhance the aesthetics of the community, increase pedestrian traffic, engage residents and businesses of Ontario with art, and create conversations with the Ontario community. The Utility Box Public Art Project incorporates elements of the City’s Ontario Plan to create distinct and unique artworks that are placed throughout the city.
The public art will be implemented as a part of the city of Ontario’s new public art program.
Site Description and Requirements:
The utility boxes are in downtown Ontario and vary in size, so artists will need to be prepared to adjust artwork to the size of the assigned box. See the attached map for where the boxes are located. Boxes may have locks and control panels that need to remain free of any art image.
- ·rtists can identify which box they desire for their project, but this will not be guaranteed.
- The artwork should cover all exposed sides including the top of the utility box.
- Artists will be responsible for keeping at least four (4) feet of sidewalk open for pedestrians in compliance with ADA requirements during the scheduled painting time.
- The city will be applying coats of anti-graffiti coating on the finished artworks. If the artwork is tagged before the anti-graffiti treatment is applied the artist will be asked to repaint the assigned box.
- Artists should take no more than three (3) to four (4) days to complete their designs.
- The artwork will remain on display as long as the condition of the paint and materials last.
Public Art Theme:
Artwork submitted should embrace one or more of the following themes, all which have their focus on celebrating Ontario:
- Ontario’s rich historical legacy.
- The City’s geographic placement within the Inland Empire.
- The Ontario Museum of History & Art, which includes the model colony history room.
- Ontario’s notable residents.
- The various flora and fauna that exist within Ontario.
- The City’s diverse cultural contributions.
Selection Process/Criteria:
An artist selection panel will be convened to evaluate all submissions and select finalists.
Selection criteria include:
- Artistic merit, visual impact, technique and graphic strength of the proposed design;
- Adherence to the theme and its contribution to the aesthetic and cultural atmosphere of Ontario and the downtown corridor; and
- Appropriateness of subject and concept for public space.
The artwork will be deemed inappropriate if it violates copyright or other known legal ownership interest, profanity, obscenity, indecency, violence, pornography; discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or nationality; and defamation or personal attacks.
The selected finalists will be recommended by the selection panel for approval by the Ontario Public Art Commission, based on the review of the proposal, relevant images, and other application materials. The selected finalists will be required to enter into a contract with the City of Ontario. The Public Art Commission reserves the right to reject any or all applications.
Design Template Sample
A utility box diagram representing the four sides and top can be found here. Please use it to complete your proposed rendering.
Unique colors and bold graphics work well, along with bright imagery that can be seen from a distance. Dark colors over large areas should be avoided.
Please remember that utility boxes vary in size and shape, and have various vents, seams, doors, and handles. Be prepared to adjust artwork to fit a unique utility box.
Eligibility:
This Request for Proposals (RFP) is open to all professional and emerging artists residing in California's Inland Empire that are over the age of 18. Entries not meeting eligibility requirements will be withdrawn from consideration.
City of Ontario’s Public Art Program:
The City of Ontario is committed to enriching the lives of the city’s residents and visitors by integrating artworks within the community by way of public art. In 2022 the City Council established the Public Art Program that includes sections for public art for private development, acquisitions of public art via loans or donations, and murals. The City of Ontario hopes that public art will encourage dialogue and interaction, enhance locations through visual place-keeping and wayfinding, and is a means to driving tourism as Ontario defines itself as a destination location.
Ontario, California:
Founded as a Model Colony, based on innovation, planned development, community service and family values, the City of Ontario has become the economic heart of the region. The City Council is committed to maintaining Ontario's leadership role in the Inland Empire by continuing to invest in the growth and evolution of the area's economy while providing a balance of jobs, housing, and educational and recreational opportunities for our residents in a safe, well-maintained community.
Timeline*
Incomplete or late submissions will not be accepted.
- Friday, July 7, 2023: Deadline for response to RFP (4:59 P.M. PST)
- July 2023: Submission review
- ·August 2023: Finalists announced and contracts executed
- September 2023: Final design review before art installation
- October 2023: Painting of utility boxes
- November 18, 2023: Project completed, with debut at November Art Walk
*Subject to change.
Application Delivery:
Applications are being accepted via the Submittable.com website. No other form of application will be accepted. Late or incomplete applications cannot be considered.
Submission Requirements:
- Artist resume.
- Artist statement (no more than 500 words), outlining your background, general approach to this project and description of the artwork proposed.
- Digital Images: Two (2) digital images of previously completed artwork within the past five years.
- Design Proposal: One (1) image showing the proposed design within the template provided.
Award of Contract
The City of Ontario reserves the right to accept or reject any submittals and to alter or extend the selection process as needed. This RFP and the selection process shall in no way be deemed as a binding contract or agreement of any kind between the City and the artist. Award of a contract is contingent upon recommendation by the Public Art Commission. The artist selected and approved will contract with the City for the entire duration of the project.
The selected artist may be required to secure and maintain various types of insurance, including Automobile Liability, General Liability, and other insurance as needed. The finalist(s) will be contacted regarding next steps, including an agreement with the City of Ontario (see the Sample Agreement). The selected artist may also be required to obtain an Ontario business license.
The artwork commissioned for this project shall become the property of the City of Ontario. The artwork will be maintained as part of the City’s public art collection.
For Further Information:
All questions regarding this request for qualifications are to be directed to Kim Boganey, Museum, Arts and Culture Manager, City of Ontario, at kboganey@ontarioca.gov.
Links to Additional Materials: