Meadowbrook Park Public Art Project

Johnson County Park & Recreation District (JCPRD) is seeking an artist or artist team to design, fabricate, and install a site-specific, permanent artwork or artworks in Meadowbrook Park in Prairie Village, Kansas. This will be the first commissioned public artwork of JCPRD's new Public Art Program, launched in 2020. Meadowbrook Park opened in 2019 as a public-public-private partnership and received the 2020 Capstone Award for Community Impact. The 80-acre park includes green space, playgrounds, pavilions, courts, trails, ponds, and a clubhouse, with approximately 800,000 annual visitors.

The selected artist will be responsible for designing, fabricating, and installing the artwork based on an approved concept proposal, developing final design documents, managing installation, providing maintenance and conservation instructions, and working cooperatively with JCPRD staff. The artist must also collaborate with JCPRD to develop an educational program related to the artwork, participate in marketing and promotion, and attend community outreach events and a dedication event. JCPRD has identified zones in the northern section of the park as candidates for the artwork and will invite selected finalists to recommend an exact location.

The public art goals are to create an interactive, immersive, and inclusive experience that inspires a deeper connection to place; complement the park design and relate to the ecology, history, or culture of the area; contribute to Meadowbrook Park's identity as a place to experience art, play, and nature; work at a human scale; and appeal to a broad audience of all ages. Eligibility is open to artists residing in the United States, including emerging artists in collaboration with other artists. Up to three finalists will be selected to create concept proposals and will each receive a $1,000 stipend, plus up to $500 additional for travel and lodging if living more than 100 miles away. Finalists will present proposals virtually to the Art Selection Committee, and proposals will be displayed at the Meadowbrook Clubhouse for public comment before final selection.