Open Call

OPEN CALL
FOR MURAL ARTISTS

Iconic Spiral Parking Deck
836 W. Linden Street
Allentown PA

Application Deadline: January 13, 2025

About the Project

Allentown Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) in partnership with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Allentown Parking Authority (APA), Lehigh Valley Arts & Cultural Alliance (LVACA), Allentown Mural Arts (AMA), and DLP Capital (DLP) seeks artist responses via this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the commission of an original work of art on the iconic Spiral Deck parking garage in downtown Allentown, PA. Built in 1969, the iconic 7-story structure is an important architectural element in the downtown.

APA is requesting the artwork to be inspired by the innovation, creativity, and expression of an Innovation District being developed within the surrounding blocks, which includes new galleries, new apartments, Moxy Hotel, Archer Music Hall, and Da Vinci Science Center. The south façade of the Spiral Deck overlooks a once-vacant alley that is now traveled by many visiting this newly developed “Downtown West” vibrant neighborhood.

Allentown, PA Background

Allentown is a city at an important juncture and is one of the fastest growing cities in Pennsylvania. In the last decade, Allentown has seen over $1B in development and over 2M square feet of new commercial and residential construction in the downtown core. Downtown revitalization has helped to turn around decades‐long trends of population decline in the city and has grown a vibrant arts, entertainment, and business district attracting new residents and businesses.

Since the early 2000s Allentown – the third largest city in Pennsylvania – has seen a wave of population growth, with the current population being the highest in the city’s history. Allentown is a majority-minority city: about 54% of the city population is Hispanic, 30% White, 10% Black, and 3% Asian. The City of Allentown values this diversity and how it makes for a more vibrant city and a stronger economy. Allentown has initiated a multi‐year public art effort to create works of art across the city of Allentown.

Budget

The budget for the project is $60,000 and is inclusive of ALL fees, including artist fees, supplies and materials, equipment, wall surface preparation & sealant, lift rental, insurance, studio costs, assistant fees/production support, technical, travel and lodging, and all other costs related to the design, production, and installation of the artwork. AEDC and AMA will assist the selected artist in applying for any required governmental approvals and AEDC will pay any required permit fees directly to the City.

Eligibility

The opportunity is open to artists or artist teams working in the mural arts field. Artists must have successfully completed a work of public art in comparable scale or budget to be considered for the project. Lehigh Valley‐based artists, female artists and artists of color are encouraged to apply. Allentown is committed to reflecting the diversity of our region in our selection process.

Submission Process

Interested artists must submit their response to this RFQ by midnight on Monday January 13, 2025. Up to 3 artist applicants will be selected as finalists, notified by January 20, 2025, and invited to attend a site visit. These artist finalists create a project proposal that they will present to Allentown stakeholders the week of February 3, 2025. Site visits and proposal presentations may be in-person or virtual. Full proposal details and requirements will be released to artist finalists at the time they are notified. Finalists not selected for the project will be offered a $500 honorarium in return for their time creating and presenting the proposal.

Submissions should be emailed to info@lvaca.org with the following subject line: “Spiral Deck Mural Application – YOUR LAST NAME.” Please include all application components listed below as a single PDF attachment, with your last name in the file name.

Application Must Include:

Artist Contact: List name, address, email, phone, and website/social media links if applicable.

Statement of Interest: Explain why you (or your team) are interested in this project. Explain why you would be a good candidate and how your experience will inform how you respond to the themes and goals of the project. (250 words maximum)
Artist Resume(s): Resumes should reflect artistic experience. Teams must include resumes for all artists. No more than 2 pages per resume.
Previous Work: Submit a portfolio with 4 examples (minimum) of existing artworks that demonstrate an ability to complete a project of this style and scope. Applicants can provide more than 1 image of each individual artwork if necessary in order to show different angles or details. Please be certain that all images are clearly labeled with location, scale, media/materials, and budget.
Team Responsibilities: Clearly identify the responsibilities of each team member. Only applicable to artist team submissions and not individual artist submissions.
Preliminary Budget and Materials List: Provide a preliminary budget and materials list reflecting the scope of the initial concept design. (Must include any/all budget items listed in the “Budget” section above.)
Timeline: Provide a proposed timeline for the project adhering to the outlined schedule stipulations. (See timeline below.)

The following criteria will be used to determine the finalist selections:

Submission of all required proposal materials as outlined in this RFQ.
Artwork reflects authenticity and originality.
Design relevance to the site and fulfillment of the criteria outlined in the RFQ
Artwork themes and goals.
Feasibility of the project.

Additional Information

The budget for each artist/artist team must not exceed $60,000. It will be the responsibility of the artist team to allocate, dispense, and document funds accordingly. Funds will be distributed in three payments. Funds must be distributed to an account with a tax ID number.
Artist and artist team can have a fiscal sponsor to receive funds. F.S. may include institutions, non-profits, local businesses, etc. A tax identification for the fiscal sponsor is required.
Outside sponsorships are also allowed to help match any funding. Sponsors can be recognized on sectional mural narrative descriptions online and on-site.

Timeline

December 9, 2024: RFQ Released

January 13, 2025: Application Deadline

January 20, 2025: Finalist Notifications

January 2025 (TBD): Finalist Site Visits

February 3, 2025: Artist Proposal / Sketch Presentations to Stakeholders

February 17, 2025: Winner Notification

April 2, 2025: Final Design Submission / Presentation

June 2025: Installation Period

July 2025: Dedication

Partner Organizations

Allentown Economic Development Corporation

AEDC’s mission is to make Allentown the best place to grow a manufacturing business. We accomplish our mission through a range of activities:

Redeveloping vacant and underutilized industrial sites, returning them to productive use
Managing rehabilitated industrial properties to house the best employers in the city
Incubating businesses and cultivating the entrepreneurial ecosystem
Actively engaging with the city’s manufacturing businesses
Deploying economic development financing programs to drive business growth and physical improvement of the City’s manufacturing buildings

Allentown Parking Authority

The mission of the Allentown Parking Authority is to operate, monitor, and maintain convenient and accessible parking facilities and on-street parking opportunities within the City of Allentown. We believe that the safety of our visitors and our residents is the number one concern, so we maintain our integrity with our officers keeping you and your vehicle safe while in the City of Allentown.

Lehigh Valley Arts & Cultural Alliance

The Lehigh Valley Arts & Cultural Alliance is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization deeply embedded in the community that believes in the power of art to transform, heal, and unify. As a voice for cultural understanding, diversity, and the integration of the arts into all facets of life, we are a network, resource, and advocate for those creating, attending, and supporting the arts throughout the Lehigh Valley.

Allentown Mural Arts

Incorporating art into daily life. AMA is a collaborative and engaging public art and beautification non-profit program that creates opportunities for our artists to contribute to our communities’ identities, fosters neighborhood pride and a sense of belonging, and enhances the quality of life for residents and visitors.

Pennsylvania State Senator Nick Miller

In the Pennsylvania State Senate, Nick continues as an unwavering advocate for students, educators, and economic success for families and small businesses in the Lehigh Valley.

DLP Capital

DLP Capital is a private real estate investment company focused on making an impact by acquiring, developing, and building relationships, housing, leaders, and organizations.