Public Art on the Merriam Community Center Campus

The City of Merriam's Public Art Committee is seeking qualifications from professional artists or artist teams for a public art project on the Merriam Community Center campus in Merriam, Kansas. The project aims to beautify and transform the entrance to this public space from the parking structure, specifically on the exterior stairs and/or interior stairwell. Both locations offer opportunity to create a more welcoming and memorable moment at this popular community destination.

The project should foster place-based pride, engage residents and visitors, draw attention to and beautify public space, and position Merriam as a vibrant community supportive of arts and culture. Desired outcomes include enhancing community vibrancy and quality of life through art engagement, welcoming visitors to the campus, encouraging pedestrian exploration and crosswalk safety, and creating a highly visible project that represents community values. Artists are encouraged to review Merriam's Public Art and Placemaking Master Plan for more information about placemaking goals and preferred artwork themes.

The budget for this project is $50,000. The selected artist/team is responsible for all costs including design fee, assistant costs, consultation fees, insurance, materials, fabrication, transportation, installation, travel, per diem, project documentation, and contingency expenses. Artwork must be building code compliant and consider long-term conservation and maintenance. If paint is used, it must be highly durable exterior-grade paint with an anti-graffiti coating required. Paint on ground surfaces must be slip-resistant.

Interested artists should submit: an artist statement or letter of interest (no more than two pages) outlining interest, vision, relevant experience with public art projects or municipal government collaboration, and conceptual approach; resume/CV; portfolio of up to 10 images of previous work with annotated list including title, date, medium, dimensions, location, and project budget; and contact information for at least three professional references. Artist teams should submit one combined letter of interest, a resume for each artist, an artist statement for each artist plus a combined statement, 10 images total, and at least one reference per artist.

Merriam's Public Art Committee will evaluate submissions based on artistic excellence and innovation of portfolio, demonstrated experience and professional qualifications, and references and past performance. Up to three semi-finalists will be invited to develop a site-specific proposal and present at an interview. A $1,000 stipend will be provided for this work, not included within the project budget. Semi-finalist proposals must include an introduction and overview of the proposal concept, detailed images and descriptions of major design elements, a refined budget and project timeline, and long-term care requirements addressing outdoor elements such as wind, rain, snow, ice, chemicals, and potential vandalism.

Eligibility is open to all professional and emerging artists 18 years and older who are legally able to work in the United States. Priority is given to those who live, work, or have a meaningful connection to the greater Kansas City region. Artists working in all mediums are welcome to submit. The entry deadline is January 2, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. MST. Work sample requirements: up to 10 images, up to 6 audio files, up to 6 video files, with a minimum of 6 total samples and maximum of 10 total samples.