Posting Language
Title
Authorize negotiation and execution of an agreement with Bill Tavis for artwork for the Armadillo Water Tank Art in Public Places Project for a total amount not to exceed $133,000. Funding: $133,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Capital Budget of Austin Water.
De
Lead Department
Office of Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $133,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Capital Budget of the Austin Water Department.
For More Information:
Angela Means, Director, Office of Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment, (512) 974-1534; (512) 974-3187; Matthew Schmidt, Acting Cultural Arts Division Manager, Office of Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment, (512) 974-6415.
Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action:
March 3rd, 2025 - the Art in Public Places (AIPP) Panel approved the selection process recommendation for the Armadillo Water Tank AIPP Project, naming Bill Tavis as the selected artist, Candy Kuo as the alternate artist, and Efren Rebugio as the second alternate artist for the $133,000 commission. (Motion by panel liaison Maldonado, second by Bernardo Diaz; approved 6-0-0).
March 24, 2025 - the Austin Arts Commission approved the selection process recommendation for the Armadillo Water Tank AIPP Project, naming Bill Tavis as the selected artist, Candy Kuo as the alternate artist, and Efren Rebugio as the second alternate artist for the $133,000 commission. (Motion by Acia Gray, second by Heidi Schmalbach; approved 9-0-0).
Additional Backup Information:
The Office of Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment’s AIPP Program is the City’s public art program funded from 2% of eligible capital improvement project budgets. AIPP and Austin Water Department sought to commission an artist or artist-led team to design, fabricate, and install exterior artwork for the Armadillo Water Tank at 910 Armadillo Road, Austin, TX 78745.
The goal of the project is to commission a local, Austin-area artist or artist-led team who, in collaboration with City staff and community stakeholders, designs, fabricates, and installs a work of art of redeeming quality that advances public understanding of visual art and enhances the aesthetic quality of public places, conceptualizes a strong overall artwork design approach that integrates with the site and surrounding natural environment, is easily maintained and vandal resistant in an exterior environment, and is permanent with an expected life span of at least 20 years. The artist or artist-led team selected for this project will be expected to coordinate with staff during implementation of the project to minimally impact operations.
On September 24, 2024, a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was released to local, Austin-area artists at least 18 years of age. Artist outreach included multiple artist information sessions held online, and in person, information posted on the AIPP website, multiple notices in Economic Development Department and Cultural Arts Division newsletters and social media, and assistance from Austin Water. The total budget available for the project is $133,000 inclusive of all project costs including but not limited to artist time, design, insurance, and all fabrication and installation related costs. The RFQ closed on November 7, 2024.
87 applications were received, and AIPP staff determined 72 applications were eligible. Eligible applications were released to selection panelists on December 20, 2024. On February 7, 2025, the selection panel met for four hours and determined one Recommended Artist - Bill Tavis - Alternate Artist - Candy Kuo, and Second Alternate Artist Efren Rebugio - for the $133,000 commission.
Selection Panel Voting Members:
• Chris Tobar - Multidisciplinary Artist
• Douglas Brown - Illustrator, Graphic Designer
• Bruce Willenzik - Executive Producer Armadillo Bazaar, Retired COA Arts Commissioner
• Josh Logan - Producer, Visual Director
Selection Panel Non-voting Advisors:
• Ben Thompson - President, Armadillo Neighborhood Association
• Lauri Johnston - Member Armadillo Neighborhood Association
• Randi Jenkins, Assistant Director, Customer Experience, Austin Water
Selection Panel Facilitators:
• Bryana Iglesias, AIPP Coordinator
• Ryan Runcie, AIPP Coordinator facilitator
• Jaime Castillo, AIPP Program Manager