Gateway Landmark Public Art Project RFQ

Mayor Brett P. Smiley, the City of Providence Department of Art, Culture, and Tourism, and Art in City Life Commission invite artists to submit qualifications for the Gateway Landmark Public Artworks, for two separate artworks, one located at Neutaconkanut Hill Park and the other, at North Burial Ground. Supported by Providence's Percent for Art via the Art in City Life Ordinance, these two large-scale, signature, permanent works of art will be highly visible, celebratory investments that place a spotlight on the whole of the City. Gateways to the city and the local neighborhoods, these public artworks will be created around the theme of "Welcoming," creating iconic moments for convening across the city - a tie-in to the Semiquincentennial, by celebrating the welcoming embrace of our nation at its best.

The City of Providence invites local, regional, national, and international artists seeking to create custom work for either one of the sites and artists seeking to install existing work that fits the sites. This call for qualifications is open to professional artists allowed to work within the United States. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, women, gender nonconforming persons, LGBTQIA+ community members and people with differing physical abilities are highly encouraged to apply. Artists living across Rhode Island are highly encouraged to apply. The budget is $250,000 for each site.

Artists will be selected through a competitive, two-tiered process. An Art Selection Panel will review complete applications and select no more than four artists as Semifinalists for each location. Semifinalists will be contracted to complete a design proposal at a flat rate of $2,500. Artists may be considered for both sites with this single RFQ, but may be selected as the semifinalist for only one site. Qualifications must be submitted through callforentry.org with a deadline of December 3, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST.