Barney Allis Plaza Public Art Commission

The City of Kansas City, Missouri's One Percent for Art program, in partnership with Petrichor Projects, HOK, and the McCownGordon Design-Build Team, invites artists to submit their qualifications for a monumental public art commission at the reimagined Barney Allis Plaza, a one-square-block park in the heart of downtown Kansas City. This rare and prestigious opportunity invites an artist or artist team from around the globe to develop a cohesive, site-wide artistic vision that integrates artworks into the park's design, fostering an immersive and unified experience. Petrichor Projects, led by Tiffany Meesha Thompson, EMBA, will serve as the curatorial arts consultant, working closely with HOK and McCownGordon Construction to ensure art is thoughtfully embedded throughout the site.

The redevelopment will feature green spaces, a dog park, an all-ages play area, flexible lawn spaces, and event plazas designed to accommodate both small gatherings and large-scale events. Shortlisted artists will be encouraged to consider both the plaza and the Auditorium Plaza Garage, exploring opportunities to integrate art across the entire site. The artwork should be designed for all abilities, ensuring that Barney Allis Plaza remains an inclusive, welcoming space. Selection will be based on artistic excellence, relevant prior experience with similar scale projects, site-specific sensitivity, and the ability to create durable, long-lasting works for permanent outdoor environments.

The total minimum art budget for this project is $2,180,000. A single artist or artist team will receive a minimum total fee of $2,180,000 to develop and implement a cohesive, site-wide artistic vision. This all-inclusive budget covers artist fees, materials, fabrication, installation, and all associated implementation costs. Shortlisted artists will receive a $10,000 proposal fee and be invited to submit a detailed proposal. The final selection will be made by a Selection Committee including stakeholders and community members. Entry deadline: March 28, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. MDT. Submissions require a free Call for Entry account, contact information, letter of interest, CV, three references, and up to 20 images of past work.