The Boat People Monument Committee of the Calgary Vietnamese Canadian Association requests a concept proposal from artists short-listed in the Vietnamese Boat People Monument competition. Please note, all information contained in the call to artist is still valid and is not voided by this proposal request.

Monument goals and objectives

The Boat People Monument Committee of the Calgary Vietnamese Canadian Association is seeking a Vietnamese Canadian artist to design and fabricate a monument to commemorate the journey of the Vietnamese Boat People to Canada, demonstrate the success of new Vietnamese generations and honour the humanity and compassion of Canadians who were part of this history. The goal is to create a space of reflection and to commemorate the significance of the “boat people’s” journey. Key narratives behind the concept of the park include journey and procession, remembrance and gratitude, celebration and community, experience and inclusiveness. Design interventions on site aim to create an emotional and sensory experience, to communicate the struggle and peril of the event for both the destination and casual users of the park space. The monument is to be incorporated into the site design and is to be complementary to the overall design intent of the memorial park space.

The Committee seeks an artist(s) to:

1. Collaborate with the design team and stakeholder representatives to determine the most suitable location(s) for the monument. The artist(s) will then lead the development of a monument in the agreed upon location(s) meeting the goals and objectives as set out for this project.
2. Identify and plan opportunities for the community to be engaged with this project.
3. Lead the development of the monument, meeting the goals and objectives as set out for this project. Expectations of the successful artist(s) include, but may not be limited to:
   1. Develop a project concept plan, project budget and prepare detailed design plans and specifications;
   2. Ensure the public art project is an integral part of the overall site;
   3. Engage in community consultation and research;
   4. Be responsible for fabrication and installation of the artwork;
   5. Provide a maintenance manual;
   6. Provide certification of installations and warranties for the work (minimum two (2) years);
   7. Coordinate activities with existing contractors working on the site; and
   8. Submit and get approvals for permits required to do the work.

Overall Goals

1. Create a space of reflection and to commemorate the significance of the “boat people’s” journey.
2. Promotes a unique and stimulating cultural environment to enhance one’s experience in and around the park;
3. Responds to the history, communities and use of the site; and
4. Provides a high level of integration with the park design and its surrounding elements.

The monument must be durable and be able to withstand harsh winter climate such as frequent freeze and thaw cycles, UV, corrosion, vandalism, and wind, to minimize future maintenance.

Project Objectives

To support the attainment of the above goals, the monument designed and installed through this project will:

1. Demonstrate innovative artistic excellence;
2. Create an emotional and sensory experience, to communicate the struggle and peril of the event for both the destination and users of the park space;
3. Enhance the park site;
4. Consider and address site characteristics, purpose, users and architecture;
5. Be accessible, safe, durable and easily maintained;
6. Future maintenance requirements and costs must be considered and minimized; and
7. Monument must conform to applicable design standards and codes.
8. Consider the concepts of journey and procession, remembrance and gratitude, celebration and community, experience and inclusiveness;
9. Draw inspiration from the site’s past, present and future.

Suggested Meetings

Participants are invited to Calgary to tour the site and to speak to stakeholders and the project team.

The following is a list of participants in this project that the artists should endeavor to meet with in advance of completing their proposal:

• Community Representatives: Tuyet Lam, Dr. David Tran (Vietnamese Boat People Monument Committee), Alison Karim-McSwiney (International Ave BIA), Wendy Whitehouse (Southview Community Association), Alan Joiner (City of Calgary Parks Community Strategist)
• Project Team: Stantec (Kathryn Glendinning, Chris Jennings)

Stakeholder meeting dates will be arranged to the best of our ability when participants have committed to a site visit date.

Please contact the writer, Tuyet Lam, to arrange meeting dates and times. Call (403-998-6185) or email [email protected].

Submission Requirements

A concept design proposal which should include a written description and visual presentation (2D or 3D) of the intended concept.

Included within the concept design proposal should be the following information (this list is not exhaustive):

• Description of your project team, roles and proposed time commitment to the project
• Explanation as to how the concept aligns with the goals and objectives of this project
• Tentative timeline of overall concept proposal including fabrication and installation
• Location of proposed artwork and a placement plan with explanation on suitability and benefits to the design, including safety, structural integrity and accessibility factors
• Size and dimensions with explanation as to suitability of scale
• Proposed installation plan relating to the concept, with explanation as to nature of manpower and equipment required to install
• Materials – information on durability and performance for the intended use. Likely suppliers or fabricators associated with this and types of warranty’s provided and anticipated maintenance and life- cycle costs/issues
• Budget – proposed preliminary breakdown of overall budget, to include contingency, engineering, costs of fabrication, site preparation, installation, permit fees, taxes, artist fees, insurance, shipping/transportation, documentation and artist travel.

The overall concept proposal should provide sufficient detail to assure compliance with applicable local, provincial or federal laws, ordinances and/or regulations.

Timeline of Concept Proposal

Site visit:
August 2020 – Date to be discussed with the Committee.

Calgary Proposal Presentation:
September 11, 2020 – presentation to evaluation team (maximum 45 minutes plus 15 minutes Q&A) Written documents received by Committee (2 copies) or Electronic version is welcome as the submission for this date (September 4, 2020).

• Any visual materials/renderings not in 3D format should be forwarded one week in advance.
• Presentation appointments for the day will be taken-first requested, first allocated (see below for presentation schedule)
• Artists will not be present during each other’s proposals as all submissions are held in confidence

Selection Process

Each artist/team will be invited to present their concept and visuals to the jury on September 11, 2020. A brief presentation (maximum 45 minutes) will be welcome and questions for the following 15 minutes from the evaluators should be expected.

The following is the tentative schedule for artist presentation opportunity: Please indicate your preference for time and I will endeavor to accommodate on a first request basis.

9:20 set up for Artist
9:30 -10:30 Artist Presentation
10:50 set up for Artist
11:00 – 12:00 Artist Presentation
12:50 set up for Artist
1:00 – 2:00 Artist Presentation

After the presentation, the concept will proceed to the jury for formal review and evaluation to select the successful proposal.

The Committee reserves the right to reject any and all submissions.

Budget for Concept Design Proposal

The total budget for this proposal is $5000 CDN. This includes (but is not limited to):

Artist fees, fabrication of proposal, research, design, professional fees (i.e. engineering and design services, consultant fees), documentation, community engagement, insurance, GST, artist administration & studio expenses.

A total of up to a maximum of $1500 CDN (inclusive of GST) will be provided for additional remuneration for approved travel/lodging/food expenses for the Calgary site visit and the presentation in Calgary of the proposal. If working in a team, the maximum budget of $2500 is inclusive for all team members. Original receipts for expenses must be submitted with invoice. Expenses for provisions other than these will not be accepted.

Travel will be reimbursed for mileage at .52 cents/km or economy flight travel only, taxi chits will be reimbursed, meal allowances are up to a maximum of $75/day.

Contacts:

Monument Committee Co-Chairs

David Tran [email protected]/403-607-5605
Tuyet Lam [email protected]/403-998-6185

Insurance:

Confirmation of insurance will be required of the selected artist or artist’s team prior to official award by the Monument Committee. This insurance coverage is mandatory and is non-negotiable. Contracts are not able to be awarded without it.

Please be prepared to confirm that you are able to obtain insurance coverage. Proof of insurance by the selected finalist must be provided before receiving a contract.

Contracts:

Upon being awarded, the successful artist will sign a Contract and complete a Project Specific Outline which will further detail project deliverables, scope and payment schedule.

Please note that the selected artist or artist team chosen from this proposal stage will be required to provide final detailed design drawings as part of their scope, once contracted. These must be sealed and stamped by an engineer certified to practice in the province of Alberta.