Posting Language
Title
Authorize negotiation and execution of an agreement with Fidencio Duran for artwork for the Mexic-Arte Museum Art in Public Places Project, in an amount not to exceed $260,000.
De
Lead Department
Economic Development.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $260,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Capital Budget of the Economic Development Department.
For More Information:
Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, Director, Economic Development Department, 512-974-3131 and Constance Y. White, Program Manager, Art in Public Places Program, 512-974-7852.
Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action:
May 1, 2023 - the Art in Public Places Panel unanimously approved the selection process recommendation for the Mexic-Arte Museum Art in Public Places Project, naming Fidencio Duran and Angel Quesada as the selected artist team and Puro Chingón Collective as the alternate artist team for the $260,000 commission. (Motion by Arts Commission Liaison Gray, second by Panel Member Lemmo; approved 5-0-0).
May 15, 2023 - the Austin Arts Commission unanimously approved the selection process recommendation for the Mexic-Arte Musuem Art in Public Places Project, naming Fidencio Duran and Angel Quesada as the selected artist team and Puro Chingón Collective as the alternate artist team for the $260,000 commission. (Motion by Commissioner Schmalbach, second by Commissioner Maldonado; approved 7-0-0 with Commissioner Garza absent).
Additional Backup Information:
The City of Austin Art in Public Places program (AIPP) of the Cultural Arts Division, Economic Development Department (EDD) sought to commission a team of professional visual artists to create site-specific artwork that reflects the mission of the Mexic-Arte Museum.
The budget for this artwork is $260,000 all-inclusive of artist time, design, insurance, and all fabrication and installation related costs. The goal of the project is to commission a team of artists based in Texas who, in collaboration with Museum stakeholders, the immediate community, and City staff, will design iconic artwork(s) that will transform the site at Congress and 5th Streets, contribute to the site as a placekeeping icon for downtown Austin, and integrate with the Mexic-Arte Museum Building Renovation Project. The artwork(s) should endow respect while celebrating and honoring the cultural contributions of Hispanic, Latino and Mexican-American heritage. Mexic-Arte Museum, EDD, and Public Works staff reviewed and provided input on the public art prospectus prior to its approval by the AIPP Panel and Arts Commission.
A Request for Qualifications was distributed on September 27, 2022 to Texas-based teams of artists with at least one artist residing in Austin. Notice of the public art opportunity was posted through usual methods as well as through Social Media channels, the EDD newsletter, and through www.publicartist.org. Community members and project partners also helped to promote the opportunity.
On March 16, 2023, the Selection Panel met via Zoom and reviewed 27 applications for eligible teams of artists that applied Mexic-Arte Museum opportunity. Upon review of the applicants, the Selection Panel recommended two teams of artists for proposals and interviews: Fidencio Duran and Angel Quesada and Puro Chingón Collective. The Selection Panel convened again on April 27, 2023, via Zoom and heard proposals from and interviewed the two teams of artists. The Jury recommended artist Fidencio Duran and Angel Quesada as the commissioned team of artists for the Mexic-Arte Museum opportunity, and Puro Chingón Collective as the alternate.
Voting Selection Panelists (Jurors)
• Sylvia Orozco, Mexic-Arte Musuem Executive Director
• James (Jimmy) LeFlore, Artist/Arts Professional
• Herlinda Zamora, City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department, Culture & Arts Education Manager
• Gabriella Bermea, Arts Professional
• Jill Ramirez, Arts Professional
Project Advisors
• Martin Barrera, Redevelopment Project Manager
• Sergio Altamirano, Public Works Capital Delivery Project Manager
• Monica Maldonado, Austin Arts Commissioner
• Jacob Villanueva, AIPP Panel Vice Chair
• Martha Cotera, Community Stakeholder
.