Call for Art: Colgan Creek Restoration Mural Project

The City of Santa Rosa's Water Department and Public Art Program are inviting artists or artist teams to design and create a mural for the concrete fence at the Lower Colgan Creek Restoration Project & Neighborhood Park, located at 3012 Dutton Meadow, Santa Rosa, California. The Project site is located in the ancestral homelands of the Southern Pomo and Coast Miwok people. Selected artists or teams are asked to either be a local Tribal member or collaborate directly with a local Tribal member in the design and/or execution of this community mural, ensuring the artwork reflects local values and perspectives.

Eligibility

This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is open to artists or artist teams that are local Tribal members or willing to collaborate with local Tribal members and residing in the United States. Applying artist(s) need to demonstrate the ability to execute a successful mural project based on project goals below.

About the Project:

The City of Santa Rosa's Water Department and Public Art Program are inviting artists or artist teams to design and create a mural for the concrete fence at the Lower Colgan Creek Restoration Project & Neighborhood Park, located at 3012 Dutton Meadow, Santa Rosa, California. This is the third and final phase of a large-scale creek restoration effort that will enhance habitat, improve water quality, and provide increased flood capacity. The creek restoration portion of the project will include installing stream meanders, pools, riffles, log habitat structures, thousands of native plants, and an ADA-accessible pedestrian and bicycle pathway. Additionally, a neighborhood park is planned for future construction, which will highlight the creek as a central feature and create much needed public open space for outdoor recreation and nature connection in a historically underserved area of Southwest Santa Rosa.

The City of Santa Rosa is committed to enriching the community with Public Art through diverse programs that foster community engagement and vibrancy. This project seeks to enhance Santa Rosa's character with meaningful artwork, creating a visually appealing environment that represents the diverse cultures of the area and engages the community with the restored creek and local flora and fauna.

The public mural is to be created as a one-of-a-kind work to enhance the beauty, creativity, and community in Santa Rosa. The Project site is located in the ancestral homelands of the Southern Pomo and Coast Miwok people. Selected artists or teams are asked to either be a local Tribal member or collaborate directly with a local Tribal member in the design and/or execution of this community mural, ensuring the artwork reflects local values and perspectives.

Project Budget

The maximum project budget is $28,500 and should be inclusive of all artist fees, and all expenses related to design development, materials, travel, installation of the artwork, anti-grafitti coating, insurance, and all other project related expenses. Finalists invited to submit specific proposals will receive an honorarium of $500 for the design of their proposed project.

Project Goals:

• Beautify Public Space: Transform the large concrete fence to the north of the creek restoration area and future neighborhood park into a vibrant, visually appealing space that contributes positively to the city's environment and character.
• Build Community Awareness: Draw attention to the Native people who have called this area home since time immemorial, and to the native flora and fauna of the creek and Santa Rosa Plain. The mural should depict Native cultural motifs and/or native plants and wildlife.
• Promote Community Pride: Reflect the diverse community of the area and encourage good stewardship of this public space.
• Support Artistic Expression: Provide an opportunity for Native artists and/or artists collaborating with Native people to showcase their creativity while working on a project that has meaningful impact and visibility in the community.