The Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center (Carnegie) and The Center for Great Neighborhoods (CGN) seek proposals for a new landmark public art installation to anchor Covington’s newest development, a 500-million-dollar mixed-use project in the heart of the downtown riverfront area. The Covington Central Riverfront (CCR) site, a 23 acre site that was once home to an IRS processing facility, is being transformed into a neighborhood with a restored street grid, office, residential, retail, and public spaces.  

As the site owner, the City of Covington has committed to this redevelopment district like none before with land acquisition, master planning, demolition, remediation, engineering utilities design, and horizontal infrastructure, including a 670-car public garage. This investment of effort, energy, time and treasure represents the commitment and dedication of the City to the progressive vision, which anticipates the development of this new mixed-use neighborhood with new jobs and significantly leveraged private investment. Development objectives include: 

• A restored street grid 

• A variety of developers 

• Mix of contemporary architectural styles 

• Commitment to Covington developers 

• Minority and Women owned participation 

• Market rate housing 

• 50–100-year life cycle of buildings 

• Flexible public green spaces 

• Pedestrian and bicycle oriented 

• Office space with high paying jobs 

• Locally owned retailers, restaurants, and bars 

• Reasonable sale for parcels 

The City has divided the site into 16 different ‘Blocks’ which will all select developers under separate requests for proposals (RFPs). Many of the Blocks have open or yet to be released RFPs, while others have developers and buyers selected. Committed developments include: the Salmon P. Chase School of Law, the Northern Kentucky campus of the University of Kentucky’s four-year School of Medicine, expansion of the Northern Kentucky Convention Center, 16 townhomes, 257 market-rate apartments, 7,700 square feet of retail space, and a parking structure.  

Additional information about the CCR development can be found on the City’s website. (link https://thecovky.gov/covington-central-riverfront/) 

A successful proposal will respond to one or more of these three prompts: 

Material 

The IRS data-processing center was a major source of economic revival for the city of Covington in 1967. It brought in thousands of jobs, becoming at one point Covington’s largest employer and a major source of payroll tax revenue that funded half of the City’s General Fund.  

• Use material remnants from the IRS building to incorporate into your proposal. 

History  

The CCR site has a history beyond the IRS. It was an economic hub of the region dating back to the mid 1800s, was first inhabited by settlers in the late 1700s, and prior to that was home to indigenous populations. History is a broad term meant to include people, industry, architecture, geography, etc. at any point in time.  

• We invite you to incorporate the larger history of the CCR site or Covington into your proposal.  

Community 

The CCR site has undergone many transformations and uses over time, which directly affects the surrounding community. Covington is unique, it is diverse, and it is very special to the people that call it home. There are 19 distinct neighborhoods in the city of Covington and each one has its own character, identity, and history. The geographic layout of the city adds to the distinction in neighborhoods and creates a physical layout that is quite spread out for being a relatively small, dense city. The location of the CCR development puts it at the north end of the city, but the vision for its future makes it a hub for life in Covington where all residents feel invited, included, and pride for their city.   

• Create a proposal that highlights Covington’s identity and makes its 40k+ residents feel like they’re acknowledged in the future of this area. 

This is an Open Call to all Artists who can respond to the brief. The winning proposal will be the project that responds best to all aspects of the RFP. Preference will be given to Artists living or working in Covington, surrounding areas, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, or with strong ties to the region. Preference will also be given to Artists who have demonstrated a track record of designing, fabricating, or project managing public sculptures at similar scale to this project. Individual Artists or Artist Collectives may only submit one proposal each. If you submit one proposal as an individual, you may also submit one proposal as part of a group or collective.  

The Selection Committee will be guided by the applicant’s response to the prompts as well as the following questions: 

• Does the proposal make sense within the city of Covington by responding to the community, neighborhood, history, or specific site location? 

• Does the project support the values of the community where it will be exhibited or challenge viewers to consider new ideas and perspectives? 

• Does the work thoughtfully activate space in a way that engages the community and incites a deeper understanding of the identity or history of Covington? 

Applications open: March 15 

IRS Site Material review: April 5, noon-5pm, Commission Chambers at City Hall 

Virtual Question/Response Session: April 30, 6pm 

Applications closed: June 1 

Finalists chosen and stipends awarded: July 1 

Detailed plans and budgets due: August 1 

Contract awarded: August 15 

Fabrication period: August 15 – November 15 

Expected Installation: November 15 – 30 

The Carnegie is a venue for emerging and established artists to create, perform and exhibit. We produce exhibitions, productions, and programs with a focus on amplifying the voices of regional and local artists. We strive to be a productive member of the region through collaboration. The Carnegie has been a vital member of the Covington art scene since 1974 producing performances, exhibitions and educational programs that have garnered acclaim locally, regionally, and nationally.  

The Center for Great Neighborhoods of Covington is a non-profit organization serving Covington, Kentucky. For more than 45 years, The Center for Great Neighborhoods has been a catalyst for positive change in Covington by bringing people together to resolve some of our city’s toughest issues. We equip residents with the tools and resources they need to create safe and livable neighborhoods. The Center builds thriving families, youth, and neighborhoods through innovative programs in the areas of: community organizing, placemaking, housing development, resident leadership, and youth programs. 

Artists are encouraged to explore the themes connected to the prompts referenced in the Executive Summary both conceptually and through material choices. The work is expected to be a permanent, outdoor, three-dimensional object. All materials – from the artwork itself to installation materials – will be approved and vetted by a project manager with technical expertise. Considerations for safety and longevity of the artwork will be considered.  

The footprint of the concrete pad that the sculpture will anchor to is approximately six foot diameter and a conduit run with 240v power to the sculpture area.  
 
This public work is adjacent to a roadway. No proposal should include elements that could be considered a danger to motorists (i.e. aggressive lighting, road signs, reflectors). Nor should the installation obstruct any designated egress or create any undue public safety concerns. Overhanging elements should be considered carefully for hazards to pedestrians and the general public. 
 
Proposals should take into consideration long-term maintenance issues. . A maintenance schedule should be put forth by the artist/project manager with the final proposal to account for the natural weathering and maintenance of the artwork (10yrs standard). This is a public work and a landmark sculpture meant to be enjoyed by generations of Covingtonians.  
 
Along with the installation of this public project, organizers will work with the artists to print and design signage for the installation. This signage will explain the significance of the site, describe the public art initiative, and provide an overview of the public installation.  

The Artist is responsible for fabricating or managing the fabrication of the finished object(s). All work must be completed in a timely manner with approvals by project manager prior to transport to site. The Organizers are available to consult and assist in the process as project managers and facilitators.

The Artist and Organizers will plan together the installation of the sculpture in coordination with the City of Covington and on-site construction managers. Proposals must include a transportation plan via an insured carrier. 

Proposals should include preliminary budgets of up to $25,000 that includes research, materials, fabrication, labor, insurance during fabrication, installation planning, and transportation. Above and beyond this preliminary budget, the following costs will be borne by the Organizers: artist honorarium of $5,000; project management; fabrication support; on-site signage; publicity and promotion of the project; opening events; site preparation as negotiated; permitting: installation support and costs negotiated based on project needs.

Following the initial round of proposals 3-5 Artists will be advanced to a second round. Those Artists will receive a $500 stipend to better demonstrate how their proposal will function at the CCR site. This could be more detailed drawings, a scale model, 3-D renderings, more detailed research – anything that the Artist believes makes a stronger case for how their proposal addresses the brief set forth in the RFP. These models will be presented by the Artist to the Selection Committee in a Q+A Session. The Artist products that result from this second round will have input from neighborhood public forums in a process yet to be determined. That public input will be used by the selection committee to help make their final decision. The second round will also require artists to submit more detailed budgets with explanations and supporting documentation on pricing, including manufacturing quotes, detailed material quantities and estimates, maintenance plan, transportation details, and an installation proposal. These more detailed budgets can be developed in consultation with the Organizers. Organizers can help make connections with potential manufacturers, transporters, installers, etc. and will negotiate shared expenses.

The Selection Committee shall consist of representatives from the managing Organizations (CGN + The Carnegie), representatives from City of Covington, regionally-based arts professionals, and local community and business leaders. Committee members will be announced prior to the Virtual Question and Answer Session on April 30.

Proposals can be strengthened by physically incorporating components from the former IRS Building. An inventory of salvaged items that may be claimed for use on this project is attached. The following time has been designated for in-person viewing of these materials in the Commission Chambers at Covington City Hall (20 W. Pike St, Covington, KY 41011) on April 5, noon-5pm. 

• First and last name (artist moniker, include in parenthesis) 

• Email Address 

• Phone Number 

• Address 

• Professional website 

• Personal connection to Covington, Northern Kentucky, or the region  

• General Artist Statement (max 500 words) 

• Describe your proposed work and how responds to one or more of the given prompts (max 1000 words). 

• Describe what your proposed work will add to the Covington community (max 1000 words) 

• Describe your materials, any fabrication that may be necessary, and the material appropriateness to be permanently installed outdoors. To the best of your ability, anticipate any ongoing maintenance issues. (max 1000 words) 

• Describe the method that you plan to install your work at the site including any tools, equipment, or personnel (max 1000 words)  

• Conflict of interest statement (form attached) 

• Resume/CV 

• Preliminary budget (template attached) 

• Prior Work samples (preferably of work similar in nature to the proposed project but that is not a requirement) (up to 10 images) 

• Drawings, renderings, illustrations or other visual examples of the proposed sculpture (up to 10 images)