Posting Language
Title
Authorize negotiation and execution of an agreement with artist Adrian Aguilera and Betelhem Makkonen, for artwork for the Davenport Austin Fire Department/Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services Station Project, for a total contract amount not to exceed $196,000.
De
Lead Department
Economic Development.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $196,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Capital Budget of the Austin Fire Department/Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services.
For More Information:
Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, Director, Economic Development Department, 512-974-3131; Laura Odegaard, Acting Cultural Arts Division Manager, Economic Development Department, 512-974-6345.
Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action:
On April 1, 2024, the Art in Public Places (AIPP) Panel unanimously approved the panel selection recommendation for the Davenport Austin Fire Department/Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services (AFD/EMS) Project, naming Adrian Aguilera and Betelhem Makkonen for the $196,000 commission. (Motion by Vice Chair Muzacs, second by Saer; approved 4-0-0).
On April 15, 2024, the Austin Arts Commission unanimously approved the AIPP panel selection recommendation for the Davenport AFD/EMS Station AIPP Project, naming Adrian Aguilera and Betelhem Makkonen for the $196,000 commission. The item passed on consent. (Motion by Commissioner Gray, second by Commissioner Schmalbach; approved 9-0-0).
Additional Backup Information:
AIPP, of the Cultural Arts Division, Economic Development Department sought to commission local professional visual artists to design, fabricate and install artwork for the AFDEMS AIPP Davenport Station Project.
The goal of the project is to commission Texas-based artists and/or artist teams who, in collaboration with City staff and community, design artwork that integrates with the AFD and EMS sites and architecture. The artwork should be relevant to AFD/EMS's role in how the station serves the community and conceptually accessible to staff and visitors. The artist will work in collaboration with project team, stakeholders, and City staff to design and create artwork that adds additional value to the site. AFD/EMS staff, including EMS Division Chief Eric Jakubauskas and AFD Division Chief Peter Teliha, reviewed and provided input on the public art project outline prior to its approval by the AIPP Panel and Arts Commission.
On October 1, 2022, a Request for Qualifications was released to Texas-based artists at least 18 years of age who live and work in the State of Texas. Artist outreach included an artist information meeting held via online Zoom forum on October 12, 2022, information posted on the AIPP website, multiple notices in AIPP and Cultural Arts Division newsletters and social media, Imagine Austin, Nextdoor, and assistance from the AFD and EMS departments. The total budget available for the project is $196,000 inclusive of embedded artist time, design, insurance, and all fabrication and installation related costs.
On November 30th, 2023, the jury reviewed 56 applications and recommended six semi-finalists to submit conceptual proposals for the project. On February 8th, 2024, Adrian Aguilera and Betelhem Makkonen were named as the selected artist and Hollis Hammonds and Candy Yu Yen Kuo as alternate artists for the $196,000 commission, respectively. The AIPP Panel and the Arts Commission approved the selection process recommendation at their April 2024 meetings.
AFD/EMS Davenport Station Artist Jury
• Chris Taylor, Texas Architect and Architecture Professor
• Lynn Osgood, Austin Urban Designer, founder of Civic Arts
• Terrence Moline, Local Designer, Founder of African American Graphic Designers
• Miguel Santana, Local Artist and Educator, Founder of Misant Arts
• Xochi Solis, Local Artist, Board Member of Future Front Texas
Project Advisors
• Michelle Noriega, Project Manager, Public Works
• JonathanMuzacs, Art In Public Places Panel Member, Founder of ATX Mosaic Workshop
• Timm Travis, Firefighter and Artist, Austin Fire Department
• Chelsea Caloia, Fire Lieutenant, Austin Fire Department
• Eric Jakubauskas, EMS Division Chief, EMS Division
Strategic Outcome(s):
• Culture and Lifelong Learning Strategy #7: Assist artists and creatives in all disciplines in developing a road map to secure capital, patronage, and build capacity to ensure their long-term prosperity.
• Economic Opportunity and Affordability #1: Influence the supply of jobs to support availability of and access to middle-skill jobs and expansion of jobs/employers to benefit communities experiencing high unemployment or lacking access to jobs.
• Culture and Lifelong Learning Strategy #3: Strengthen our portfolio of culture and lifelong learning programs, events, and facilities by engaging and building trust with the community to ensure equitable access and participation, and that services are aligned with community.