A Canvas of Culture: Murals at Boston Public Schools

Yes, all artists and artist teams are expected to carry their own insurance. The budgets have been set to support this requirement. 

Insurance Requirements

The City of Boston and Street Theory, Inc. require insurance coverage in place for contractors to protect the City, Consultant, and the Contractor. The Contractor shall maintain during the term of the Contract, at his expense, all insurance required by the applicable laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and insurance required in this section. Insurance will be issued by licensed insurance companies with a current Best’s rating of A- VII or above. Evidence of insurance requirements will be provided on Acord Form 25 Insurance Certificates after being awarded the contract, with renewal certificates delivered 30 days prior to the expiration of the preceding policy. These requirements shall not be construed to limit the liability of the Contractor or its insurers.

The amounts and types of insurance required may be modified by the City if it is determined they do not provide adequate coverage. The minimum insurance requirements are:

• Commercial General Liability for Bodily Injury and Property Damage, on an Occurrence Form, naming the City of Boston and Street Theory, Inc. as Additional Insured, including Premises/Operations, Products/Completed Operations Liability, Contractual, Broad Form Property Damage, and Personal/Advertising Injury for one million ($1,000,000) per occurrence and two million ($2,000,000) annual aggregate limit per project per location.
• Workmen’s Compensation insurance as required under General Laws c.152 (the Workmen’s Compensation Law) and including employer’s liability limits of one million ($1,000,000) per accident and per employee for the disease. This type of insurance is not required if the contractor will only use volunteers or casual employees in the contract and will hold the City harmless for any personal injuries.
• Automotive liability insurance to cover the artist while traveling and transporting materials be traveling to and from the site, if required the City will mandates a automotive liability coverage for $250,000/accident for property damage, $250,000/per person, $500,000/ accident for bodily injury for any vehicle used in performance of Contract including but not limited to personal transportation.

The City’s general conditions for Insurance are:

• The City of Boston and Street Theory, Inc. will be named as Additional Insured on all policies except Workers’ Compensation and Employer’s Liability.
• Above insurance shall be primary and noncontributory over any such insurance available to the City of Boston, its officials, employees, and volunteers.
• Waiver of Subrogation will be included as respects all coverages listed above in favor of the City of Boston. 
• All policies will be endorsed to provide thirty days written notice to the certificate holder, the City of Boston, in the event of cancellation, non-renewal or material changes in coverage.

We’re requesting any relevant information about the artist and their team members that showcases their professional experience. This includes but is not limited to a biography, CV, resumes, etc. 

The project aims to have all installations completed before schools resume this Fall 2024.

Yes, artists can apply as a lead applicant even if they are part of another artist's team or involved with other lead applicants.

Artists may consider the need for pressure washing as part of their site preparation, depending on the conditions of the site. Additionally, each site will require prepping and priming with a base coat/primer to ensure the artwork adheres well and lasts longer. This preparation step is crucial for achieving the best possible outcome for your artwork, so please include these considerations in your budget planning if necessary.

Independent artists are required to assemble their own teams capable of executing the work in its entirety. The City will not provide teams to artists.

Artists interested in multiple sites should fill out a separate budget template for each site. Submittable allows for up to three budget uploads, accommodating artists applying for multiple locations.

Artists are encouraged to conduct their own research to find suitable fabricators and installers for their projects. However, Artaic, a mosaic tile fabricator located in Charlestown, MA is a fabricator we’ve worked with in the past.

The Carter School is currently in construction. The projects at the Carter School are expected to be completed by Spring 2025. 

We are asking artists to share their approach to involving the schools and surrounding communities in the development of their artwork, not for the installation. Our call requires  a minimum 2 engagement sessions and we’re interested in learning unique ways that artists will facilitate the engagements.

Yes, artists can specify in their application narrative which sites they have concepts for or feel a special connection to. However, it's important to note that expressing interest in specific sites does not guarantee placement there. The MOAC team, in collaboration with school teams, will determine placements based on the best fit between the artist's vision and the site's needs.

No, applicants should not submit multiple applications. We request only one submission per artist. In the concept/narrative portion of your submission, you may indicate your interest in specific schools. This streamlined approach ensures a focused and efficient review process, allowing artists to clearly communicate their preferences and ideas within a single application.

Your portfolio helps us understand prior public art experiences as well as your artistic abilities across various themes, aesthetics, and composition. Artists are welcome to submit relevant works, including studio work and any public artwork you have completed.

Yes, artists can express interest in more than three sites. However, we encourage artists to focus on the sites they feel most connected to. This helps to inform us about your creative and community approach. Again, artists may or may not be placed at the sites they select. 

Yes, budgets have been carefully set to cover all project and installation costs such as scaffolding and/or lift machinery. 

Yes, artists can apply to both Opportunity 1 and Opportunity 2 within the same submission.

Yes, we understand that the budgets are preliminary and allow for changes based on the needs of the artists and project. 

We will consider other school sites and city buildings for future installations of this initiative. Only sites that are undergoing capital improvement or new construction can be considered for eligibility. 

We are currently exploring installation logistics at this site.

The call is for "professional artists and artist teams" so any youth group would have to be part of an artist team with a professional artist as the lead applicant, to qualify.

The dimensions provided in the RFP are approximate. In the event of any discrepancies, the budget allocated for the site will remain as originally specified and will not be adjusted based on the actual dimensions.

Please adhere to the 500-word limit on the Submittable form. Unfortunately, additional materials sent outside of the Submittable platform, including via email, will not be considered as part of the application.

Artist commissions for these projects are structured in three payments. These payments are not reimbursements but are scheduled as part of the contract agreement to support the project's progress.

Selected artists will be expected to manage their own budgets, aiming to adhere as closely as possible to the preliminary budget submitted with their application.

Artists should plan for and describe any and all site prep needs, accordingly. We understand that there may be changes as the project develops.