RFP - Destination NihonMachi
The KOHO Co-Creative Arts and Culture Hub, located in the heart of San Francisco Japantown, is designed to provide space for intergenerational, multicultural, native Japanese, Japanese Americans and APNHPI creators to claim ownership of their own personal stories and contribute to their collective history through exhibitions, programs, workshops and community-based projects. The Hub will be a home and foundation for our creatives to feel welcomed, accepted and rooted in Japantown. The activities at the Hub will bring more multi-ethnic communities together to explore traditional and transformative perspectives of the arts including but not limited to dance, fashion, music, visual and performing arts. A gathering space to learn and collaborate between our elders and our younger generations, the Hub redefines what it means to be Japanese-American in Japantown, and provides a place for interactive community driven arts projects to explore commonalities and differences between cultures and generations.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
KOHO is launching a mural project this fall to be enjoyed and seen by community, visitors, and stakeholders, located in the heart of San Francisco Japantown. KOHO is seeking art proposals from professional artists or artist teams for this 2d mural art project. The wall is approximately 28’ wide by 8’ tall.
The art proposal budget is $6,200 and is inclusive of all artist's fees, as well as associated expenses for design, fabrication, insurance, transportation, and installation consultation.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
KOHO is launching an initiative to produce an indoor 2d mural as the main focal centerpiece for our new arts hub located in the Japan Center East Mall. We aim to have the mural reflect the resilience of immigrant ancestors and the vibrancy and journey of uplifting cultural communities redefining their identity within. This project aims to celebrate the Japantown community, past, present, future and beautify the space. The mural location is KOHO, Japan Center East Mall, 22 Peace Plz, Suite #540, SF, CA 94115
ELIGIBILITY
Ability to work collaboratively with community stakeholders.
Must have previous 5+ years of experience working in large scale 2-D mural projects.
Have previous experience in creating work that represents authenticity in cultural communities
Knowledge of the Japanese and Japanese-American and API immigrant history
Depict a visual representation of the Japantown community.
Must be available during 2/6/25 to 2/13/25 window to complete mraural.
Born and Raised in San Francisco Bay Area a plus
SELECTION PROCESS
3 Artists will be selected by a panel of KOHO staff and community stakeholders to provide a draft design for final selection. Selections will be based on a point system, based on artistic merit, meeting the goals of the project, and ability to collaborate with stakeholders. Final 3 selected artists will be required to meet with the Koho community committee to provide input and answer questions. Following, the three selected artists will be provided a stipend of $300 each for their draft design for final selection. All artworks must be original work.
Final selected artist may be asked for up to 2 minor design revisions.
HOW TO APPLY
Letter of Interest much include - what does authentic Japanese culture mean to you? Maximum 2000 characters
Artist resume and contact info
Images of previous artwork (5 images) and brief details, title / medium / dimensions / date
2 letters of references from arts organization clients highlighting your ability to produce cultural artwork.
RFP submission must be emailed by RFP due date.
PROJECT TIMELINE
RFP due date 11:59pm 12/2/24
Announce 3 finalists 12/16/25
3 finalists submit draft design by 11:59pm 1/10/25
Final artist selection by 1/15/25 (may ask for minor revision(s))
Art production window 2/6/25 to 2/13/25
CONTACT INFO
Please direct all questions and comments via email to Info@KOHOsf.org or Insta DM @KOHOsf. We cannot accommodate walk in submissions or questions.