Posting Language
Title
Authorize the negotiation and execution of an agreement with artist Tamara Johnson for artwork for the Elisabet Ney Museum grounds, for a total contract amount not to exceed $100,000. Funding: $100,000 is available in the Capital Budget of the Parks & Recreation Department.
De
Lead Department
Economic Development.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $100,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Capital Budget of the Parks & Recreation Department.
For More Information:
Anthony Segura, Interim Director, Economic Development Department, (512) 974-3187; Matthew Schmidt, Acting Cultural Arts Division Manager, Economic Development Department, (512) 974-6415.
Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action:
December 16, 2024 - Art in Public Places (AIPP) Program Manager Jaime Castillo presented #8 on the agenda: Approve Artist Selection Recommendations for Elisabet Ney Museum Grounds AIPP Project - Tamara Johnson Recommended Artist, and Erin Cunningham Recommended Alternate Artist, approved on Commissioner Gray’s motion, Commissioner Garza’s second on an 8-0 vote with Commissioner’s Kracheni and Keys absent.
December 2, 2024 - AIPP Coordinator Lindsay Hutchens presented Item #4 on the AIPP Panel Agenda: Approve Artist Selection Recommendations for Elisabet Ney Museum Grounds AIPP Project - Tamara Johnson Recommended Artist, and Erin Cunningham Recommended Alternate Artist. Motion to approve by Andrew Danziger, Seconded by Kristi-Anne Shaer, 7-0-0.
Additional Backup Information:
The City’s AIPP program of the Cultural Arts Division, Economic Development Department, sought to commission one professional visual artist or artist-led team to design, fabricate and install an exterior artwork at Elisabet Ney Museum at 304 E 44th St, Austin, TX 78751.
The goal of the project is to commission a local, artist and/or artist 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, honors Elisabet Ney’s art, history and legacy, 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 was also expected to coordinate with staff during implementation of the project so as 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 via Zoom, and in person, information posted on the AIPP website, multiple notices in Economic Development Department and Cultural Arts Division newsletters and social media, Glasstire, Texas Commission on the Arts, and assistance from the Parks & Recreation Department. The total budget available for the project is $100,000 inclusive of embedded artist time, design, insurance, and all fabrication and installation related costs. The RFQ closed on November 7, 2024.
Forty-three applications were received and AIPP staff determined 29 applications were eligible. Eligible applications were released to selection panelists on November 8, 2024. On November 20, 2024, the selection panel met for four hours and determined one Recommended Artist - Tamara Johnson - and one Alternate Artist - Erin Cunningham - for the $100,000 commission.
Selection Panel Voting Panelists
• Rehab El Sadek - Artist, AIPP Artist
• Brianna M. McIntyre - Artist, Curator
• Kelsey Quinn Harrison - Artist, Assistant Professor
• Meghan Shogan - Artist, Fabricator
• Beverly Penn - Artist, Professor
Selection Panel Non-voting Advisors
• Laura Esparza - advisory member of National Trust for Historic Preservation's Historic Artists’ Homes and Studios program
• Stephen Gonzalez - Hyde Park National Register Historic District
• Christina Bies - Sponsor Project Manager, Capital Delivery Services, City of Austin
• Ellen Colfax - Sponsor Project Manager, Parks & Recreation, City of Austin
• Marjorie Flanagan - Division Manager, Museums & Cultural Programs, Parks & Recreation, City of Austin
• Jade Walker - Site Coordinator/Curator Elisabet Ney Museum, Parks & Recreation, City of Austin
• Kristi-Anne Shaer - AIPP Panel Liaison
Selection Meeting Facilitators
• Lindsay Hutchens, AIPP Coordinator, Cultural Arts Division, Economic Development Department, City of Austin
• Jaime Castillo, AIPP Program Manager, Cultural Arts Division, Economic Development Department, City of Austin.