Artist Call: Tarboro Road Park

Project Overview

Summary

• Create Public Artwork at Tarboro Road Park. This project is part of the 2022 Parks Bond. 
• Artwork can be integrated into the renovation of the historic building or incorporated into the site. 
• $129,000 budget to design and fabricate. Additional funds are held for engagement and accessibility.
• Up to three semi-finalists will be selected to interview and paid a $100 honorarium.
• Please read the complete artist call document (PDF) before applying
• Deadline to apply: March 30, 2024, by 11:59 p.m. EST
• Apply using the online application

Eligibility 

1. This opportunity is open to individuals and teams who live or work in the United States.
2. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and have unexpired documents that establish employment eligibility. 
3. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. 
4. Applicants must have at least a three-year history of professional practice. 
5. Applicants must have demonstrated experience in design through the creation of high-quality work. 
6. Lead applicant cannot be enrolled in an undergraduate course of study in the visual arts as of January 1, 2023.
7. Lead Artists who have received a commission or purchase for over $75,000 from the City of Raleigh cannot be considered for another commission or purchase over $75,000 for 3 years after the date of a signed contract or letter of agreement. Artists affected by this rule can still apply as a member of an artist team, during the 3 year time frame, as long as they are not applying as lead artist. This rule does not apply to artist invitationals, only to open artist calls. 

Project Details

Tarboro Road Park, 121 N. Tarboro Road in Raleigh, is an existing 3.2-acre park site approximately half mile east of downtown at the corner of Tarboro Road and East Edenton Street. 

The park was established in the 1970’s to serve the surrounding historically African American community.  Today it is the host to a heavily used community center and the historic Saint Monica Teen Center.  Site amenities include a picnic shelter, tennis courts, and a playground constructed in the 1990’s.

Since the establishment of the Tarboro Road Park, the community center has been incrementally enlarged over the past several decades to serve recreation and education needs of the expanding neighborhoods.  The current room layout along with the age and condition of the facilities are no longer adequate for the needs of the growing and transforming community.

The redevelopment of Tarboro Road Park is funded via the 2022 City of Raleigh Parks Bond in the amount of $29,300,000 for community engagement, design, permitting, and construction.  Redevelopment of the park will center around a new community center and may include a new playground, community gathering areas, court play space, landscaping, parking, and stormwater improvements.  The project also includes improvements and upgrades to the historic Saint Monica Teen Center.

The project timeline for planning, design, and construction of these improvements runs from 2024-2028. 

Public Art Goals and Opportunities

• Artwork can be stand alone or integrated into buildings and site.
• Selected artist will have the opportunity to work with the architectural and design teams to integrate artwork into the landscape and/or buildings. 
• Work with community to define storytelling and aesthetic goals for the artwork. 
• Help to share the story of the deep history of the College Park Community.

Please read the complete artist call document (PDF) to learn about the site and community, timeline, selection process, and more before applying.

Deadline

All RFQ materials must be received no later than March 30, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. EST. Incomplete or late submittals will not be considered. 

Budget

$129,000 budget inclusive of design, artwork fabrication, community presentations, taxes, travel, and fees.

Raleigh Arts will hold separate funding to cover community engagement expenses and accessibility accommodations for the project. The arts office will administer these funds and can cover things like public meetings, creative input gathering events, working with local community historians, and hiring local artists to help with outreach. The Artist will work with Raleigh Arts to create an engagement plan.

How to Apply

Before applying, please read the complete artist call document (PDF). Those wishing to be considered must submit the following materials using the online application:

1. Statement of Interest
   A statement, outlining your interest in this residency and your experience working on public art projects, or relevant art experience. Include how your work and experience will complement this residency. You can submit this as either:
   1. A written statement of 500 words or less or
   2. Or a two minute or less audio or video clip. We will only play the first two minutes of audio for the panel.
2. Biography
   A biography of no more than one page that includes information regarding your practice, experience, and education. If applying as a team, submit a single file containing separate biographies for each team member. 
3. Three Professional References 
   Contact information for three references should be submitted, including name, title and affiliation, phone number and email address. References should be able to speak to your ability to provide services for a public art project or artwork of a similar scope.
4. Previous Work, Digital Images
   Eight digital images of recent previous work (created within the past ten years) Each image should include: image number, artist’s name, title, year, media, location, project budget, dimensions, commissioning agency, and collaborators or design professionals (if applicable).

Fill out the online application

Questions?

Please read the complete artist call document (PDF). For questions, contact Jenn Hales, Public Art Coordinator for Raleigh Arts, at Jenn.Hales@raleighnc.gov.