49th Ward Public Art RFQ - 7442 N Ashland

The City of Chicago's Public Art Menu Program invites professional artists, artist teams, and arts organizations living in Chicago with a demonstrated history of completing permanent, large-scale public art projects to submit qualifications for an outdoor mural at Dubkin Park in the Rogers Park neighborhood. Emerging artists are encouraged to apply. The artwork will activate and enhance the eastern facing wall, with an envelope of approximately 12' H x 125' W (total wall dimensions approximately 12' H x 150' W). The anticipated lifespan is a minimum of 3 years, though the artwork is intended to remain in place as long as possible if it remains in good condition.

Successful proposals should approach the site with a bold and creative vision emphasizing significant people and attributes from the community, making passers-by aware of the rich cultural, social, and practical resources in and around Dubkin Park. Designs should amplify the richness and vibrancy of the Rogers Park neighborhood and greater Northside of Chicago, consider the park's surrounding area, and provide a welcoming face to the community. Elements should be appropriately sized, scaled, and oriented to engage viewing from multiple vantage points, including pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

Finalists (2-3 selected) will be paid a $1,000 honorarium to develop proposals. The artwork commission is $60,000, inclusive of all costs and fees for design through fabrication, site preparation, and installation. Applications must include: a one-page letter of interest, a two-page CV (one per team member if applicable), six to ten images of past large-scale public art projects, an annotated image list with title, media, year, dimensions, location, budget, timeline, and commissioning entity, and optionally one video (up to two minutes). Artists on the City of Chicago Public Art Prequalified List 2023-2024 may submit a streamlined application with a one-page letter, up to five new images, up to one optional video, and an annotated list. Contact Brett Swinney at [email protected] with questions.