Request for Proposals: DiCamillo Bakery Mural

Project Overview

The Niagara Falls National Heritage Area (NFNHA) is issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) for the design and creation of a mural at DiCamillo Bakery, located at 811 Linwood Avenue, Niagara Falls, NY 14305. The budget for this project is up to $40,000.00, with a target completion date by November 30th, 2023.

The Niagara Falls National Heritage Area preserves, protects, and promotes historic, natural, and cultural resources in an 11-mile expanse that stretches from Niagara Falls State Park in Niagara Falls, NY to Old Fort Niagara in Youngstown, NY. The NFNHA is one of 55 areas across the United States designated by Congress as a landscape where natural, cultural, and historic resources combine to form a nationally important landscape. The NFNHA tells these nationally-important stories that celebrate the diverse heritage of Niagara Falls.

At the heart of all NFNHA projects is community engagement and collaboration. Over the course of over 30 public art projects over the past five years, the NFNHA has created an inclusive process that prioritizes the input and feedback of community members, particularly in the Highland Community, where the majority of these projects are located. The process employed by the NFNHA offers community input and feedback at each step of the project, from the creation of subject matter and themes, to the selection of the artist, to the proposed designs themselves.

Public art projects foster pride in communities, assist with neighborhood revitalization, and build appreciation for our community, culture, and heritage. The Niagara Falls National Heritage Area has fostered deep relationships within the community, and has proven experience implementing public art projects, including the murals at Main & Depot and along Main Street. The NFNHA will administer this project and work with the community to create a story that reflects the Niagara Falls community.

Mural Specifics

The mural will be located at DiCamillo Bakery. This location is on a main throughfare through Niagara Falls, and sees a significant amount of foot traffic each day. The wall is approximately 18’ x 24’, made of brick, and is in relatively good condition. The mural must be installed utilizing wooden boards, and attached through a mounting and bracketing system.

Mural Dimensions: 18.5 ft. x 23.5 ft.

Goals

The NFNHA is seeking mural that will celebrate the legacy of the DiCamillo family, and speak to the lasting importance of the DiCamillo Bakery in the City of Niagara Falls. Our goals is to create a mural that honors the heart and soul of DiCamillo Bakery, and showcases its impact on the city. Specifically, the mural should:

• Create a public art mural for the new outdoor seating area at DiCamillo’s Bakery on the west side of the property that is reflective of the legacy of the bakery and the DiCamillo family that has owned and operated it for over 100 years.
• The mural should be relevant to the staff of DiCamillo Bakery and its customers, and should reflect staff input in the creation of the mural.
• The mural should reflect DiCamillo Bakery’s story: “an uninterrupted tradition of making wholesome hearth-baked bread and classic Italian cookies and confections for our friends and neighbors.”
• The mural should complement the new outdoor seating area, creating a well-rounded outdoor space open to customers and staff.
  

Eligibility Criteria

Qualifications for DiCamillo Bakery will be reviewed by team members from DiCamillo Bakery and the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area.

Applicants will be judged by the eligibility criteria listed below:

• Complete application submitted by the proposal deadline.
• The submitted application demonstrates evidence of professional competence.
• Eligible artists should have a record of successfully completed permanent and/or temporary public art commissions in public and/or private development.
• Creative approach to the proposed mural concept that is reflective of DiCamillo Bakery’s mission, vision, and the listed project goals.
• Digital artwork acceptable, and digital artists encouraged to apply. If utilizing digital artwork, please include a brief explanation of your medium in your Statement of Intent.
• Contracted artist is required to be flexible, accountable and work collaboratively with the NFNHA teams.
  

Proposal Requirements

1. Artist Statement, that outlines your interests, describes your art practice, provides a summary of your professional experience as an artist, and addresses how that experience may qualify your for public art commissions.
2. Current Resume, including public art commission, exhibition, and publication history. Links to online portfolios are encouraged.
3. Images of previous work, including most recent commissions and realized projects. Please submit only successfully completed projects or renderings for projects that are in process.
4. Statement of Intent, that outlines a proposed approach to this project, including artistic medium and installation plan.
5. Proposed Design, that includes an image, dimensions, and preliminary materials list.
6. Itemized Budget, including artist fee, supplies, travel, insurance, and any other requirements.
7. Proposed Timeline, that includes revisions, preparation of mural space, installation of mural, and any additional work needed.
   

Deadline and Budget

Proposals will be accepted between September 11, 2023 and October 2, 2023. Applicants will be notified following the deadline whether or not they have been accepted for the project. The mural project must be completed by November 30, 2023.

The maximum budget for this project is $40,000.00. Applicants should detail the use of funds in the budget section of their proposal.

Proposal Submission

Applicants should submit their application materials to Ally Spongr, NFNHA Director of Public Art, at

ally@discoverniagara.org by the deadline of October 2, 2023.

Visual Inspiration

DiCamillo Bakery is seeking a mural that will integrate seamlessly with its already-established design standards and aesthetic choices. The following images are examples of products designed by DiCamillo Bakery, to provide applicants with a sense of the style desired by the client.