75th & Wornall Streetscape Public Art Commission

The City of Kansas City, Missouri One Percent for Art program seeks to commission a U.S.-based professional visual artist or artist team to design, fabricate, and install a permanent 3-D sculpture and/or surface-based artwork for a circular plaza near the intersection of 75th and Wornall Streets in Kansas City's historic Waldo neighborhood. Preference will be given to artists based in the Kansas City, Missouri Combined Statistical Area. The artwork site is an exterior, public-facing 32-foot diameter circular plaza enhancing a new surface parking lot and streetscape project.

Artworks may be 3-D, sculptural, or surface-based and must be created from durable materials to withstand weather and pedestrian interaction. Artwork may be thematic, incorporate lighting, engage pedestrians, or include interactive components. All proposals must be designed to fit within and be installed on the circular plaza. Artworks may be required to comply with applicable building codes, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and the 2018 International Building Code. The total project budget is $250,000, all inclusive, covering artist fees, fabrication, materials, engineering, permits, insurance, shipping, delivery, and installation.

2-5 semifinalist artists will advance to the RFP phase and propose designs. Semifinalists will be paid a $3,750 design proposal stipend. The selection panel will evaluate submissions based on excellence, relevant prior experience with similar scale projects, appropriateness to the site and surrounding neighborhood context, and durability of materials and processes. The finalist's proposal will be presented to the Municipal Art Commission for approval prior to contract development. Tentative timeline: semifinalists selected late July 2024, semifinalist proposal presentations late September 2024, artist contract executed October-November 2024, art installation late summer/early autumn 2025.