Aberdeen Hospital School of Nursing (AHSON)

“Honouring Our History, a Legacy of Caring”

Aberdeen Hospital Art Installation Project

Requests for Proposal for Artists

Deadline: Monday, May 1, 2024 – 12 NOON EST

link to RFP download below

AHSON-RFP-2024-04-08-Final.pdf

THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Artists and/or artist teams, with established public art creation and installation experience are invited to submit a proposal for a site-specific, permanent, outdoor art installation.

The art installation is a legacy project of the Aberdeen Hospital School of Nursing (AHSON) Alumni spearheaded by the Alumni Archive committee in partnership with Aberdeen Hospital Auxiliary, the Aberdeen Hospital, the Nursing History Nova Scotia Society(NHNS) and the Nova Scotia Health Authority.

Healthcare has played a major role in Pictou County from 1897 until the present day. The Aberdeen Hospital was formally opened on March 25, 1897. Simultaneously, a training school for nurses was established the same year. The AHSON proudly educated healthcare professionals until 1995: graduating 1,837 nurses, 26 radiology technologists and 36 laboratory technologists during its 98 years. The year 2025 will mark the 30th anniversary of the closure of AHSON and is a fitting time to permanently mark the location of the former School of Nursing and honour the contribution these healthcare professionals have made in Pictou County.

THE PROJECT

The project is to create a space for meditation and reflection for patients and staff of the Aberdeen Hospital, Aberdeen Alumni and descendants, and the community to honour the Aberdeen Hospital's School of Nursing (1897 -1995), School of Radiology (1929 - 1966) and School of Laboratory Technology (1960 - 1972) and to highlight their rich contributions to health care in Pictou County and beyond. The goal is to create a restorative and uplifting space that honours the historical relevance of these Schools. The geographical area of the installation is at the north side of the hospital directly in front of the parking lot which was the site of the now demolished Aberdeen Hospital School. (See Appendix I Site Information)

EXHIBIT DELIVERABLES

·   The artistic installation will tell the rich story of the Aberdeen Hospital Schools, set against the historical context that shaped the lives and times of its graduates. (See Appendix II for AHSON Historical Information - A Snapshot)

·       The installation will be a place of respite and reflection. One of the eight characteristics of a healing space is how an historical space, which offers fascination with the course of time, can have a restorative effect on visitors (Grahn, 1991 as cited in Stigsdotter 2005, p.17).

SELECTION CRITERIA

·       Designs should reflect the heritage of the Aberdeen Hospital School of Nursing, in a bold, engaging and informative manner.

·       The vision may be approached artistically from varying scenarios and mediums. For example, interpretive panels depicting a moment in time during the history of the school up to and including a modernist sculpted structure to attract attention.

·       Creative interpretation is preferred, and artistic creativity is encouraged.

·       Images must be suitable for outdoor installation. Creative use of materials, such as concrete or metal, is encouraged

·       Considers the potential that the installation may need to be moved in the future.

 COMPETITION

 Step: 1 Initial submission Applicants must submit by May 13th, 2024

A Request for Pre-Qualifications (RFPQ) is open to all professional artists with public art creation and installation experience. Design concepts are not required at this stage.

Submissions must include:

1.    Artist CV (pdf) and references

2.    Artist’s Statement outlining interest showing relevant experience.

3.    A vision statement of an initial interpretation/inspiration for the project

4.    Colour photos of recent professionally commissioned public art, mural or installation work. Maximum ten (10) images of work. Image files should be titled with image number, name of artist and title of artwork. (.jpg format only)

5.    Image Information Sheet (.pdf) that describes each image with: number, name of artist, title, date, materials and dimension

6.    Entries must include complete contact information, including name, address, phone, email and website, Instagram (if available).

7.    Send submissions to: ahson.archives@gmail.com

8.    Please put Aberdeen Alumni in the subject line of your email. Submissions should not exceed 10MB in size

The Selection Committee will review all submissions based on artistic excellence and perceived ability to create and execute an innovative, engaging public artwork that is complimentary to the design scheme and context. 

Step 2: Semi-finalists

The Selection committee with choose three (3) shortlisted proposals. Shortlisted semi-finalists will be contacted no later than May 31st, 2024.

All three (3) Artists will submit a complete design proposal to the Selection Committee no later than July 15th, 2024.

An itemized cost analysis must be included in the submission.

Step 3: Finalist

One artist will be chosen by the Selection Committee by August 1st, 2024 to execute the project. Decisions of the Selection Committee are final.

The finalist will work with the Archive Committee members to achieve the completion of the project by July 2025.

GENERAL INFORMATION

·   A written agreement will be entered into by the Aberdeen School of Nursing Alumni and the selected artist.

·   Personal accident insurance is the responsibility of the artist

·   Copyright of the artwork will remain with the artist.

FEES

·   Payment for the project will be made in instalments as negotiated with the successful artist.

·   All materials are included in the artist’s fee for the final project.

·   Installation at the site will be done by a qualified contractor, supervised by the artist.

·   All other expenses are the responsibility of the artist.

Shahrad, A. (2012).  What are the design principles of Healing Gardens for people who are suffering from stress-related diseases?  [Master’s thesis, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences]. Självständigt arbete vid LTJ-fakulteten, SLU. http://stud.epsilon.slu.se/

Aberdeen Hospital School

APPENDIX I SITE INFORMATION

LOCATION AND SITE IMAGES

Aberdeen Hospital Site