Artist Request for Proposal (RFP)
Keweenaw Co+op Market and Deli
Art Mural Project at 610 Quincy Street, Hancock, MI 49930
Introduction
Keweenaw Co+op Market and Deli seeks proposals from experienced artists for the design and digital rendering of a mural to be installed in the indoor dining area of the co-op’s new location at 610 Quincy Street in Hancock.
The mural will celebrate the co-op’s 50-year history, the wonders of our local ecosystem, our connection to the community, and the exciting future in our new downtown location.
Goals
Our goals for this mural project are:
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To raise awareness of Keweenaw Co+op and our important role in the community.
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To reinforce the co-op as a welcoming environment to sit and enjoy good food.
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To highlight our relationships with local farmers and producers.
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To create a “sense of arrival” and comfort as people enter our indoor dining area.
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To create a landmark for people to capture their visit to Keweenaw Co+op.
Mural designs should convey a clear sense of place, align with the co-op’s commitment to environmental and social responsibility, and reinforce feelings of belonging, hope, and progress. Designs must also include two pine trees and an apple, in homage to the co-op’s past logos. These symbols represent our journey and growth, rooted in tradition yet reaching for new horizons. We seek proposals that convey the natural beauty of the Keweenaw region and affirm Keweenaw Co+op as a place of welcome for locals and visitors alike. Let your creativity flow as you create a vibrant mural that reflects our commitment to our community and the exciting future ahead!
About Keweenaw Co+op Market and Deli
Keweenaw Co+op exists to sustain the physical and social health of our Owners, Customers, and Community with a resilient and ethical food infrastructure, education, activism, communication, and the advantages of a cooperative business model.
The co-op began in 1973 as a buying club for natural and organic foods in the back room of Funkey’s Karma Cafe in downtown Houghton. As the co-op grew, it relocated into larger retail spaces, increased its grocery offerings, added staff, and in 2010 reincorporated as a cooperative.
Today, the co-op is made up of over 2,300 owners and remains the area’s only natural and organic grocery store. With continued growth and tremendous community support, the co-op looks forward to moving into its new downtown location in 2024.
Mural Site Location and Specifications
The mural will be installed at Keweenaw Co+op Market and Deli’s new downtown location at 610 Quincy Street in Hancock, MI.
The selected mural wall is located in the co-op’s indoor dining area and measures approximately 15’8” in length and 6’9” in height. Due to the construction timeline and the high-traffic nature of the mural site, the mural will be digitally rendered, printed on vinyl, and professionally installed.
The completed mural will be visible from the co-op’s indoor and outdoor dining areas.
Eligibility
This call is open to all US-based artists. Artists from our community and the surrounding Michigan Upper Peninsula area are strongly encouraged to apply. Candidates must be professional artists, illustrators, or graphic designers; eligible to work in the United States; and age 18 and older.
Proposal Requirements
The following is required for consideration as a completed proposal:
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Contact information: Name, address, telephone number, email address
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Resume/CV for artist(s)
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Written narrative describing your artistic vision and proposal (No longer than 2 single-spaced pages)
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Sketches to explain your vision (Sketches/concepts may or may not incorporate the co-op’s logo) - must contain two pine trees and an apple
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Examples of past work, either attached as a PDF or with a shared web address to a digital portfolio (Maximum of 5)
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Letters of Recommendation (Minimum of 2)
Optional: additional support materials such as news articles on past work.
Should the artist envision incorporating community engagement in the design process, we encourage you to include this in your written narrative.
Deadline
December 13, 2023 - deadline for receipt of proposals
Materials must be submitted in person or via email to the attention of Ariele Pizzo, Marketing & Outreach Coordinator, marketing@keweenaw.coop as a PDF. A confirmation email will be sent to all applicants. If you do not receive a confirmation email within 24 hours of the deadline, please contact Ariele Pizzo via email at marketing@keweenaw.coop or by phone at (906) 482-2030.
Budget
A total of $2,500.00 has been identified for an artist’s stipend to design and digitally render the mural. The artist will be responsible for their own materials for the mural mock-up.
Selection Process
A representative co-op committee will review all completed proposals. We will select up to three semifinalists to interview. We will select one finalist for the project.
The following will be considered in the selection process:
- Artist met the requirements outlined in the RFP; the proposal was submitted by the deadline.
- Attention to the mission of the project.
- Evidence of ability to create large-scale, distinctive work.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain project timelines.
- Originality and creativity.
Project Timeline
- November 13, 2023 Announcement and distribution of RFP
- December 13, 2023 Deadline for receipt of proposals
- January 2, 2024 All submissions reviewed and semifinalists selected
- January 15, 2024 Interviews with semifinalists
- January 30, 2024 Artist selected and contract completed
- February 29, 2024 Art design concept finalized and approved
- March 29, 2024 Art design finalized and submitted for printing
Ownership
The artist(s) will retain ownership of any ideas submitted for consideration until a final selection has been made and a contract will be signed between Keweenaw Co+op Market and Deli and the selected artist(s). At that time, Keweenaw Co+op will obtain 100% ownership of artwork produced, in whatever stage of completion, and the artwork shall become the property of Keweenaw Co+op as a work made for hire as defined by the copyright laws of the United States. Keweenaw Co+op shall be the sole and exclusive owner and copyright proprietor of all rights and title in and to the results and proceeds of artist’s services hereunder. In addition, artist(s) will represent being the sole author(s) of the work and that all services are original by artist(s) and not copied in whole or in part.
