RFP for Public Art at Oliver Kelley Farm

The Minnesota State Arts Board, on behalf of the Minnesota Historical Society, requests proposals from professional public artists or artist-led teams for permanent, site-specific public artwork at the Oliver Kelley Farm in Elk River, Minnesota. This is a two-phase RFP process. Artist qualifications will be evaluated during the first phase, and finalists will receive a $1,500 stipend to develop a proposal for the project during the second phase.

Oliver Kelley Farm is located approximately two and a half miles southeast of downtown Elk River on the east bank of the Mississippi River. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964, the 189-acre property is owned by the State of Minnesota and has been stewarded by the Minnesota Historical Society since 1961. The site is a working farm visited by nearly 30,000 guests each year that tells the story of Minnesota's farming, food, and agriculture industry. A grand opening of the new visitor center and support buildings is planned for spring 2017.

Professional public artists or artist-led teams residing in Minnesota are eligible to apply. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. An all-inclusive budget of $49,500 is available for this project. Up to three artists are anticipated to be selected. The artwork will be located in freely accessible areas of the facility and should help visitors connect with Minnesota's agricultural past, present, and future; provoke thought on the diversity of peoples and practices in agriculture; be compatible with the site's character while being discernible as art; contribute to contemporary art dialogue; and enrich the State's public art collection. Three potential installation areas have been identified: the main entry plaza, interior public spaces of the visitor center, and the picnic shelter. Work sample requirements: 10-18 images and 0-2 videos (10-20 total samples). Proposals must be submitted through CaFÉ no later than 11:59 P.M. (MDT), Thursday, June 9, 2016. Questions should be directed to Ben Owen, Percent for Art program officer, at [email protected] by May 31, 2016.