Request for Qualifications for Public Art: Columns, Mosaic Inlay in Concrete & Playground Sculpture

The City of South San Francisco invites qualified artists or artist teams to submit qualifications for the design and creation of site-specific mosaic artworks at the new Linden and Pine Park (616/700 Linden Ave, South San Francisco, CA 94080). The commission includes three integrated mosaic components: four sculptural mosaic columns (approximately 1.5 feet in diameter and 8 feet tall), a pavement mosaic inlay embedded in concrete, and a mosaic-clad playground sculpture. One artist or artist team will be selected to ensure the artworks are conceptually and aesthetically unified.

The project budget totals $168,000: Concrete Mosaic Inlay $67,500, Four Columns $60,500, and Playground Sculpture $40,000. The mosaic-clad playground sculpture should be appropriately scaled for children ages 2–5, with overall dimensions ranging from approximately 2–5 feet in height and 2–8 feet in length or width. Materials must be durable and weather-resistant; high-fired porcelain, quarry tile, or natural stone installed over reinforced concrete with epoxy thin-set and grout are strongly recommended. The artwork should enhance placemaking, celebrate community identity, and reflect the character of the South San Francisco Old Town neighborhood. Artists are required to incorporate meaningful community input into their creative process through design workshops, input sessions, or participatory elements involving local residents, schools, or neighborhood organizations.

Eligibility is open to all professional artists and artist teams. While the call is open to local, regional, and national applicants, preference will be given to artists with a demonstrated connection to South San Francisco or the greater Bay Area, including current or past residency, completed projects in the region, or deep understanding of the community's cultural, historical, and environmental context. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to successfully complete the project within budget and timeline constraints. Submission deadline: July 18, 2025 (by 5:00 PM PST) or first 250 applicants. Submit 3–10 images of work samples.