Artist Residency in the Public Realm
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh-Hazelwood
and Office of Public Art
Request for Qualifications
Deadline: March 24, 2014 at 5pm
Project Description
The Office of Public Art is working with Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Hazelwood (CLP – Hazelwood)
to host an artist residency in the public realm. We are seeking an artist of any discipline who will
collaborate with members of the community and the Library to develop a project that will engage
Hazelwood residents and visitors to the neighborhood.
The timing of this project is significant, as CLP – Hazelwood is moving to a new home in the spring of
2014. In addition to being a great new facility, this time of transition is an opportunity for the Library
staff to host a residency with the purpose of engaging an artist to work with the community, and for
Library staff to develop a project, or series of projects, that can potentially be presented in the new
facility or in the community in partnership with the Library. The final result of the residency is open
ended. We are not looking for artists to place an existing work of art or idea in Hazelwood, but to
collaborate with the community to develop a project with Hazelwood residents, including library users.
The project can be a physical work of art, performance, publication, event, or any other type of creative
project developed by the artist in collaboration with the community they engage during their
residency.
The staff of CLP – Hazelwood will serve as lead community partners for this project, and will provide a
simple working space for the artist. The artist will work to seek other partners during their residency.
The Office of Public Art will provide technical assistance and support to the artist and organization for
the duration of the project.
Project Phases and Budget
The residency is divided into two parts. During the first phase, the artist will work in the community for
a period of up to one year, which will result in a proposal for a creative project. In the second phase,
the creative project will be implemented.
The artist’s fee for phase one is up to $20,000, paid at $25 per hour for up to 15 hours of work per
week. The fee is inclusive of the artist’s expenses to participate in the residency, including
transportation costs. In addition to the artist’s fee, a budget of $7,500 is available for the first phase of
the residency to facilitate community participation or pilot creative projects. Prior to the start of phase
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two (implementation), the artist and the Library will determine the total budget for the creative project
and funds will be raised separately to implement the project.
Eligible Artists
This opportunity is open to any visual, performing, or literary artist or a team of artists who are able to
commit to a year-long residency in Hazelwood and have experience working collaboratively with
community groups. We are especially interested in artists who live in the Pittsburgh region, including
Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Mercer, Lawrence, Somerset, Venango,
Washington, and Westmoreland Counties.
Artists do not need to have experience working on public art projects; however, artists must have
demonstrated experience of working collaboratively. Artist teams, and teams including individuals
working in multiple fields, are eligible to apply.
Artists must have Act 34 Criminal Clearance and Child Abuse History Clearance, or be willing to apply
for certification, before being offered a contract for the commission. This process is a standard
background check used in Pennsylvania for adults working with young people.
Information about Act 34 Criminal Clearance can be found on the website: https://epatch.state.pa.us.
Information about Child Abuse History Clearance can be found on the Pennsylvania Department of
Public Welfare’s website, http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/. You may also pick up the clearance forms in
the lobby of the Pittsburgh Board of Education Administration Building at 341 S. Bellefield Ave.,
Pittsburgh, PA, from 8 am to 4 pm daily.
Selection Process
The Office of Public Art is facilitating the artist selection process for this project. An artist selection
panel that includes representatives from the Library, Hazelwood residents, and arts administrators will
review qualifications submitted through this RFQ.
The committee will invite a limited number of artists to interview for the residency. Artists who are
asked to interview for the project will not be asked to develop a model or proposal. One artist or artist
team will be selected to participate in the project.
Application Submission Process
This application requires that artists submit examples of their work in digital format. All text documents
must be submitted in .doc or .docx format. No PDF files will be accepted. All image types must be .jpg
or .jpeg only, and video must be .avi or .mp4. Images should not be embedded into a text document.
Free programs that can create .doc and .docx files can be found online. Please contact the Office of
Public Art with file formatting questions. We are happy to help!
Materials can be submitted in one of the following ways:

#1: A CD containing all materials in digital format may be mailed or delivered. All files on the
CD must be PC compatible. No DVDs will be accepted.
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If you choose to mail or deliver an application, the CD must arrive by March 24, 2014 at 5 pm
EST. This is not a postmark deadline.

#2: You may upload images to an FTP site that does not require a login to retrieve the file and
complete an application form. Examples of permissible sites are Hightail.com or
Sendspace.com. Email the link with the subject line of “Hazelwood Residency” to
opa@pittsburghartscouncil.org. All application materials must be available for download from
one URL source. Please keep in mind that FTP sites have upload limits, and only one URL will
be accepted. You may ensure that one URL is accessible by zipping all files together and
uploading one zipped file folder to an FTP site. Do not share folders. Materials will not be
downloaded individually.
If sending applications electronically, you must fill out the application form at:
http://tinyurl.com/OPAHazelwood.
If you choose to submit an application via an FTP site, you must have sent the email
by 5 pm EST on March 24, 2014.
Do not send an e-mail with attachments. In the email with the link to your FTP location,
include only a brief note of your intent to apply and the single download link.
Application Materials
Please submit the following materials for all applications:
1. A letter describing why you are interested in working on this project, up to two pages in
length. Please be sure to describe your experience or desire to collaborate with community
members, residents, or others in the development of creative projects.
2. Work samples, up to 10 images of visual art, 10 images of performances, or 30 pages of
writing.
You may also include one video of up to three (3) minutes in length.
Images should be in JPG format, no larger than 5’’ x 7’’, no larger than 1MB. Videos must be in
.avi or .mp4 format. DVD formats are not accepted. You may include links to third party video
hosting websites such as YouTube or Vimeo.
a. Please label each of your work samples with your last name, first name and the
numbers 1-10. For example, if your name is Gertrude Stein, the first artwork on your
disc should be stein_gertrude_1.jpg and the second image should be
stein_gertrude_2.jpg.
b. Artist teams may submit a combined total of up to 10 work samples, not 10 work
samples for each artist.
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3. A script that includes a short description of each work sample and video submitted. The
description for each image should include the following information as applicable: artwork title,
dimensions, materials, budget, location, and a brief summary.
4. A copy of your artist statement. Artist teams should submit a statement for each artist, plus a
statement of how the artists will collaborate.
5. A copy of your resume, up to two pages. Artist teams should submit one resume per artist.
6. A copy of your Act 34 clearance and your CY113 Clearance, or a letter stating you will apply for
these clearances.
Please do not submit a written description of a concept or submit illustrations of a concept. They will
not be presented to the selection committee.
Submissions must be received by March 24, 2014 at 5 pm EST. They may be emailed, mailed or
delivered to the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council until 5 pm EST. Late and/or incomplete applications
will not be accepted or considered. Submission materials will not be returned.
Mail applications to: Office of Public Art, Attention: Hazelwood Residency, c/o Greater
Pittsburgh Arts Council, 810 Penn Avenue, 6th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
Email applications to: opa@pittsburghartscouncil.org. Use “Hazelwood Residency” as your
subject line.
An acknowledgement email will be sent to all applicants within 10 days of the deadline.
Information Session
An information session for artists who are interested in submitting materials will be held on February
24, 2014 from 6-7 p.m. at CLP – Hazelwood, 4901 Second Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15207. The purpose
of the information session is to review the project and the submission guidelines, and to respond to
artists’ questions. Attendance is not mandatory. An RSVP is not required.
Submission materials will not be returned.
Project Timeline
February 2014
Develop and Circulate Artist Request for Qualifications
February 24, 2014, 5-6pm
Artist Information Session 5-6pm at CLP - Hazelwood
March 24, 2014 at 5 p.m. EST
Delivery Deadline for Applications
April 2014
Artist Selection Meeting to Review RFQs
Artist Interviews/Select Participating Artist
May 2014
Contracts Completed with Office of Public Art
Artist Begins Work with Community
May 2015
Phase 1 of Residency Completed
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Questions?
If you have questions regarding this RFQ, please contact Renee Piechocki or Kate Hansen, Office of
Public Art, 412-391-2060 x 233 or opa@pittsburghartscouncil.org.
The Office of Public Art is a partnership of the City of Pittsburgh and the Greater Pittsburgh Arts
Council. For more information, visit www.publicartpittsburgh.org.
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