State of Tennessee Seeking Artist for David Crockett Statue

From Tennessee Arts Commission –

The State of Tennessee has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the creation of a bronze statue of David Crockett, to be placed in front of the Tennessee State Capitol. The project is open to established visual artists living in the United States with at least 10 years of professional experience working on public art projects. Applicants must have a proven track record, having created and installed multiple public art projects, including bronze statues or similar sculptures.

The selected artist will be responsible for:

• Designing a traditional, full-body, cast bronze statue of David Crockett, approximately 9-10 feet tall.
• Creating a 1/3 scale clay model for approval by the State.
• Overseeing fabrication and installation of the statue on a stone base provided by the State.
• Providing a maintenance plan for the statue.

The statue will be placed on a pedestal above the entrance to the Motlow Tunnel on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. Images provided in Attachment A of the RFP depict the intended style and location of the statue, including official inspiration images for the likeness of David Crockett.
The project budget is approximately $600,000, covering all artist costs from design to installation and insurance. The State will provide separate funding for the base and other associated costs.

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Artistic Excellence: Experience, technical competence, and quality of past work.
• Artistic Rendering and Design Statement: Creativity, technical excellence, historical accuracy, and site-specific considerations.
• Budget and Process Understanding: Planning, budgeting, and understanding of project goals and timeline.
• Tennessee Connection: Preference given to artists with ties to Tennessee.

Up to five finalists will be selected for in-person interviews and will receive a travel stipend of up to $2,000. Final selection will be made by the State Capitol Commission.

Interested artists can find the full RFP and application details on the Tennessee Arts Commission website. The deadline for submissions is February 14, 2025.