Soul Walk: Gateways, Sculpture and Wayfinding

The City of Tampa is seeking to commission multiple artworks for sites and transportation corridors as part of Soul Walk, a celebration of cultural heritage. These commissions will connect existing artworks, historic sites, and community spaces to form a cohesive cultural heritage trail that recognizes the significant value and contributions of Tampa's African American community. The initiative aims to increase community engagement and outreach, provide must-see destinations, and develop a source of community pride.

Developing themes and areas of primary content include: intersections of cultures and the African diaspora; the African American Business and Entertainment District known as Central Avenue and the Longshoreman's trade; the music scene nourished by this district and the chitlin circuit; foundational African American neighborhoods including The Scrub, Roberts City, and Dobyville; essence and character of community such as perseverance, resilience, strength, independence, faith and family; work and livelihood including education, sports, labor, and community service; and social themes such as equity, social justice, cultural erasure, and Jim Crow/segregation. Selected artists will have access to archives, historians, archaeologists, anthropologists, musicologists, planners, and architects. Budgets range from $5,000 to $600,000 and include artist design fees, project management fees, artwork transportation, fabrication, installation, insurance, and professional consultants for services including lighting, engineering, or conservation.

Applications must include: artist statement, 10-15 images (up to 6 videos also accepted), work sample descriptions, current professional resume (limit three pages emphasizing public art experience), and letter of interest (not exceeding 3,000 characters) describing why these opportunities are appealing and relevant to your work, including experience with public art, diverse communities, and placemaking. Artist teams may submit up to 15 work samples total with resumes for each member and a joint letter detailing previous collaboration experience. Do not submit proposals or visual illustrations with your application; artists who do will be disqualified. The selection process includes two phases: Phase I develops a prequalified pool of artists through this RFQ; Phase II considers artists in the prequalified pool for specific opportunities. Finalists will be asked to interview with selection panels. Notification of selected artists is anticipated between 1Q 2022 and 4Q 2022, with design development from 3Q 2022 to 1Q 2024 and artwork implementation from 3Q 2022 to 4Q 2026.