Art Banners-Suitland Water Tower
Organization:
Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George's County
Location
Suitland, MD
Entry Fee
Free Entry
Deadline
April 26, 2026
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Prince George’s County Planning Department of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is seeking an artist or artist team (collectively, Artist) to lead a collaborative public art opportunity with a cohort of visual arts students from Suitland High School’s Center for the Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA). Through mentorship with the selected Artist, the 11-student cohort will create 8 designs that will be produced in a series of banners for installation on the Suitland Water Tower, 4211 Suitland Rd, Suitland, MD 20746 (Artworks).
The selected Artist will collaborate with students in a series of (6) six studio sessions on a weekly basis from May 13, 2026, to June 17, 2026. The selected Artist must demonstrate proficiency in community engagement through artmaking and/or co-creation practices involving community stakeholders, and candidates should ideally provide examples of prior successful co-design experiences that incorporated community engagement and input.
The selected Artist will be responsible for the design and creation of the Artwork, including all conceptual development, design refinement, and preparation of final digital files suitable for banner fabrication. The assumed final banner size is likely 12’ x 60’ but the design team will confirm with the selected Artist as the process begins. The Artist’s full scope of services will be provided under one contract and one all-inclusive fee, which extends through completion of the artwork installation. The Artist will be supported in this effort by staff from both the M-NCPPC, Designing Local, and Suitland High School/CVPA.
During the fabrication and installation phase, the Artist will be retained in a consultative role only to support coordination activities such as file transfer, confirmation of compatibility with production requirements, and review of final production details. The Artist will not be responsible for fabrication or installation of the Artwork. Fabrication and installation will be administered separately by the M-NCPPC under a different contract and are outside the Artist’s scope of work and fee.
The selected Artist anticipated scope of services includes:
•Mentor youth artists who are designing banners for the Suitland Water Tower during the (6) six studio sessions hosted at Suitland High School
•Register as a volunteer with Prince George’s County Public Schools, undergo a fingerprint background check, and complete online Safe Schools training
•Support co-creation and co-design efforts with the youth artists to achieve a cohesive, complementary visual experience
•Provide guidance to youth artists as they develop and refine concepts
•Produce the necessary digital files with the youth artist’s designs included for banner production, fabrication, and installation
•Meet with the M-NCPPC and other members of the project team on a bi-weekly basis until the project is completed
•Be prepared to interface with all promotional activities for the project as required
PROJECT BUDGET
The selected Artist will receive a fee of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) for their services engaging with Suitland CVPA High School students, co-creating the artwork and producing the necessary files for banner production, fabrication, and installation. This stipend will be paid in three installments: 25% upon contract execution; 50% following successful artwork submission; and the remaining 25% following banner installation.
The $10,000 fee does not include banner fabrication, installation, and ongoing maintenance of the artwork, all of which are outside of the scope of this RFQ.
PROJECT THEME
The most successful application will demonstrate a willingness and desire to uplift the community of Suitland’s shared values, histories, and themes within their work. As an ultimate outcome, the community seeks to have an iconic work of art that acts as the gateway into the Suitland Cultural Arts District and communicates to those who pass by that they are entering a creative community.
The Artist will also demonstrate an enthusiastic approach to co-creation with the Suitland community, particularly young aspiring artists. The Artist acknowledges that their digital design will be reproduced for production on a vinyl or similar material banner, which may be removed, replaced, or repaired for maintenance purposes, at the discretion of the M-NCPPC. The design must be suitable and acceptable for public viewing of all ages.
ANTICIPATED TIME COMMITMENT
This project requires (6) six in-person sessions with Suitland CVPA High School students following the school day. Virtual and in-person meetings with the M-NCPPC Project Manager will be required. The total time requirement for this project between May 11, 2026, and July 31, 2026, is approximately 30 hours.
PROJECT SITE
Suitland Water Tower - 4211 Suitland Road Suitland, MD 20746
Project Site Considerations:
•The Suitland water tower is owned by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC). The land on which the tank sits is owned by the Federal government (U.S. General Services Administration) and is part of the Suitland Federal Center. All artwork designs must receive WSSC and U.S. General Services Administration approval to ensure they do not interfere with the facility’s and the Center’s operational needs.
•The eight (8) art banners will be mounted on the existing metal grates located on all sides of the water tower.
•The installation of the art banners must not affect the tower’s structural integrity or compromise the functionality of the water tank.
•The water tower is scheduled for maintenance within the next 3–5 years. The art banners must therefore be fabricated and installed in a way that allows for easy removal and reinstallation, pending WSSC authorization.
The Prince George’s County Planning Department of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is seeking an artist or artist team (collectively, Artist) to lead a collaborative public art opportunity with a cohort of visual arts students from Suitland High School’s Center for the Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA). Through mentorship with the selected Artist, the 11-student cohort will create 8 designs that will be produced in a series of banners for installation on the Suitland Water Tower, 4211 Suitland Rd, Suitland, MD 20746 (Artworks).
The selected Artist will collaborate with students in a series of (6) six studio sessions on a weekly basis from May 13, 2026, to June 17, 2026. The selected Artist must demonstrate proficiency in community engagement through artmaking and/or co-creation practices involving community stakeholders, and candidates should ideally provide examples of prior successful co-design experiences that incorporated community engagement and input.
The selected Artist will be responsible for the design and creation of the Artwork, including all conceptual development, design refinement, and preparation of final digital files suitable for banner fabrication. The assumed final banner size is likely 12’ x 60’ but the design team will confirm with the selected Artist as the process begins. The Artist’s full scope of services will be provided under one contract and one all-inclusive fee, which extends through completion of the artwork installation. The Artist will be supported in this effort by staff from both the M-NCPPC, Designing Local, and Suitland High School/CVPA.
During the fabrication and installation phase, the Artist will be retained in a consultative role only to support coordination activities such as file transfer, confirmation of compatibility with production requirements, and review of final production details. The Artist will not be responsible for fabrication or installation of the Artwork. Fabrication and installation will be administered separately by the M-NCPPC under a different contract and are outside the Artist’s scope of work and fee.
The selected Artist anticipated scope of services includes:
•Mentor youth artists who are designing banners for the Suitland Water Tower during the (6) six studio sessions hosted at Suitland High School
•Register as a volunteer with Prince George’s County Public Schools, undergo a fingerprint background check, and complete online Safe Schools training
•Support co-creation and co-design efforts with the youth artists to achieve a cohesive, complementary visual experience
•Provide guidance to youth artists as they develop and refine concepts
•Produce the necessary digital files with the youth artist’s designs included for banner production, fabrication, and installation
•Meet with the M-NCPPC and other members of the project team on a bi-weekly basis until the project is completed
•Be prepared to interface with all promotional activities for the project as required
PROJECT BUDGET
The selected Artist will receive a fee of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) for their services engaging with Suitland CVPA High School students, co-creating the artwork and producing the necessary files for banner production, fabrication, and installation. This stipend will be paid in three installments: 25% upon contract execution; 50% following successful artwork submission; and the remaining 25% following banner installation.
The $10,000 fee does not include banner fabrication, installation, and ongoing maintenance of the artwork, all of which are outside of the scope of this RFQ.
PROJECT THEME
The most successful application will demonstrate a willingness and desire to uplift the community of Suitland’s shared values, histories, and themes within their work. As an ultimate outcome, the community seeks to have an iconic work of art that acts as the gateway into the Suitland Cultural Arts District and communicates to those who pass by that they are entering a creative community.
The Artist will also demonstrate an enthusiastic approach to co-creation with the Suitland community, particularly young aspiring artists. The Artist acknowledges that their digital design will be reproduced for production on a vinyl or similar material banner, which may be removed, replaced, or repaired for maintenance purposes, at the discretion of the M-NCPPC. The design must be suitable and acceptable for public viewing of all ages.
ANTICIPATED TIME COMMITMENT
This project requires (6) six in-person sessions with Suitland CVPA High School students following the school day. Virtual and in-person meetings with the M-NCPPC Project Manager will be required. The total time requirement for this project between May 11, 2026, and July 31, 2026, is approximately 30 hours.
PROJECT SITE
Suitland Water Tower - 4211 Suitland Road Suitland, MD 20746
Project Site Considerations:
•The Suitland water tower is owned by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC). The land on which the tank sits is owned by the Federal government (U.S. General Services Administration) and is part of the Suitland Federal Center. All artwork designs must receive WSSC and U.S. General Services Administration approval to ensure they do not interfere with the facility’s and the Center’s operational needs.
•The eight (8) art banners will be mounted on the existing metal grates located on all sides of the water tower.
•The installation of the art banners must not affect the tower’s structural integrity or compromise the functionality of the water tank.
•The water tower is scheduled for maintenance within the next 3–5 years. The art banners must therefore be fabricated and installed in a way that allows for easy removal and reinstallation, pending WSSC authorization.