Jobs and other contract opportunities

Estuary Resident Artists – Request for Proposals (old)

Professional Services Contract Opportunity

Resident Artists of the Estuary
The Estuary's Resident Artists create artistic expressions with the aim of engaging citizens in the conservation and restoration of the estuary basin in a creative and culturally relevant way. Through dialogue and the exchange of ideas about the restoration and conservation of the estuarine ecosystem, the resident artists raise environmental awareness and facilitate the development of a resilient basin.

Estuario recognizes art as a social asset that allows it to reach the diverse population living within the San Juan Bay Estuary system and its watershed (Wong and Brown, 2009). Thus, through experiences generated by artists, knowledge and decision-making capacity directly related to environmental conservation increase. Therefore, the artistic expressions generated through the artist-in-residence program are a key strategy for achieving culturally competent integration of all interested parties.

Resident Artists of the Estuary 2024
The Estuary is seeking to select artistic proposals that support the restoration work of the Juan Méndez ravine. The Estuary will utilize funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to guide the restoration of the Juan Méndez ravine through natural infrastructure interventions (blue and green), achieving the medium-term restoration of the communities affected by this waterway, many of which are environmental justice advocates.

The Juan Méndez ravine is located in the municipality of San Juan, specifically near the Río Piedras Botanical Garden and behind the Capetillo Urban Garden and Community Forest. This ravine is notable for being the channel through which illegal sewage discharges flow, affecting a population of approximately 51,361 inhabitants. The situation worsens during rain events, regardless of their intensity, causing recurring spills. These discharges not only impact the ravine's ecosystem and the health of those who come into contact with them, but also affect the chemical balance of the San José Lagoon and its aquatic life. The complete restoration of the watershed requires corrective action regarding these discharges.

Urban activity in the heart of the San Juan metropolitan area, public health, mental health, and economic activity depend on responsible investment in the restoration of the Juan Méndez ravine. Ensuring environmental justice throughout the San Juan Bay Estuary watershed depends on the complete restoration of this particular ravine and its surrounding area.

Required Qualifications (Education and Experience):

Selection criteria

The Estuary will review the proposals and select pending proposals for an interview. A round of interviews will be conducted, and then the panel of judges will select the projects.

The selection panel will use the following criteria to select proposals:

• Complete application including all required materials (see requirements at the end of this document);
• The proposal should include ideas that foster a collaborative environment within the communities where the project is being developed.
• It must include at least three (3) workshops or working meetings with the community, and a final activity to present results or final pieces.
• Level of integration with the selected community that will result from your residence and proposed project.
• General knowledge of the San Juan Bay Estuary System; bodies of water, communities, problems.
• The applicant must be an artist from any of the following disciplines: visual, audiovisual, musical, culinary arts.
• Artistic merit
• Leadership skills and experience in group management.

How to apply:

Request for Materials and Requirements*

*Details regarding deadlines and the proposal validation process with the communities of the Juan Méndez ravine will be provided later.

Proposals should be sent by email to [email protected] and must include the following:

1. Copy of the applicant's resume (maximum two pages).
2. A cover letter that briefly outlines how the proposed project will be carried out. (maximum one page, single-spaced, 12 pt font)
3. Detailed project description, for example:
   1. that explains the pieces or the artistic/musical/culinary work that will be created,
   2. the methods that will be used and activities that will be carried out to create integration and public awareness,
   3. the methods that will be used and activities that will be carried out to complete the project, the place and the entity or institution in which you intend to work.
   4. Explain how your project could help or support the Juan Mendez ravine restoration project.
4. Visuals or sketches that can explain the proposed project in more detail. These can be hand-drawn images, digital images, photomontages, among others.
5. Each applicant is required to attend at least one informational meeting.

Eligibility

• You must be over eighteen years of age, eligible to work legally, and live in the United States.
• The applicant must be available to interact regularly with the chosen project for a set period and provide their own housing independently.
• The applicant must be an artist from any of the following disciplines: visual, audiovisual, musical, culinary arts.
• The applicant must have knowledge of and close ties to the metropolitan region of Puerto Rico.
• The applicant must have experience in community development and be able to moderate group discussions, document projects, and contribute to the development of new tools and strategies through reports, blog posts, photographs, and recordings.

Additional conditions

time extensions

Estuary, at its own discretion, may modify and/or extend the deadlines for carrying out the aforementioned task, and these changes and deadlines will be communicated to all applicants who sent a notification of interest.

Reservations

This RFP does not commit Estuario to award a contract, to cover the costs incurred in preparing a Proposal in accordance with this RFP, or to procure or contract for works, and may request additional information and/or clarifications.

Public records

All proposals submitted in response to this RFP become the property of Estuary and the public records, and as such may be subject to public review.

Right to cancel

Estuario, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to cancel this RFP for any reason or no reason, in whole or in part, including, but not limited to, the selection timeline, submission deadline, and submission requirements. If Estuario cancels or revises the RFP, Estuario will notify all prospective consultants in writing.

Public information

Selection notices, contract awards, and all data provided by Estuario will be protected from public disclosure. Consultants wishing to disclose information to the public must obtain prior written approval from Estuario. Estuario, at its sole discretion, will determine the publication and disclosure of information related to this RFP and any final work products resulting therefrom.

Sources of funding:

EPA Grant CE-99206929

The Corporation for the Conservation of the San Juan Bay Estuary is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that operates the San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership. The Corporation for the Conservation of the SJBE provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or genetics. MBE/WBE and other certified minorities and small businesses are encouraged to apply.