REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)
Murals and Rapid-Deployment Public Art in
Downtown Saint Paul
Date Issued: April 11, 2025
Summary
The Saint Paul Downtown Alliance is seeking qualifications from artists, muralists, and creative teams interested in shaping the future of downtown through public art. This RFQ is the first step in building a roster of pre-qualified artists who will be considered for upcoming opportunities to create murals and other forms of fast-deploying public art in Saint Paul’s city center.
As downtown continues its recovery and reinvention, the Downtown Alliance is committed to helping it thrive as a vibrant, welcoming, and expressive place. Through this ongoing initiative, we anticipate projects that may emerge on a rolling basis—sometimes quickly—driven by new partnerships, property owner interest, seasonal activations, or evolving urban conditions.
Artists selected through this process will be eligible for consideration in a variety of future projects, including short-notice installations that respond to the rapidly changing landscape of our downtown.
Project Goals
- Introduce high-impact, high-quality public art to key areas in downtown Saint Paul
- Support a more visually engaging and people-friendly street experience
- Respond creatively to changing opportunities and temporary or underused spaces
- Reflect the energy, diversity, and culture of the Saint Paul community
- Strengthen the identity of downtown as an exciting place to live, visit, and invest in
Potential Public Art Formats
We are looking for artists with the ability to create and install public-facing work quickly and professionally. Examples include:
- Murals (painted, printed, vinyl, or mixed media)
- Temporary or semi-permanent installations
- Modular or sculptural elements
- Interactive or light-based works
- Storefront or window activations
Final formats will vary depending on the opportunity and site constraints.
Potential Locations
Sites will be identified in coordination with partners and may include:
- Alleyways and building façades
- Construction fencing or plywood barriers
- Blank or underutilized storefronts
- Plazas, sidewalks, and parklets
- Infrastructure and utility elements
Some opportunities will be known in advance; others may develop quickly. Artists should be prepared to respond flexibly to both types.
Budget
Project budgets are expected to range from $5,000 to $25,000, depending on scale and complexity and will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Submission Requirements
Please submit the following as a single PDF to publicart@downtownstpaul.com:
- Artist Statement (1 page max)
- Describe your artistic approach and any relevant experience working on public art projects, particularly those requiring quick execution or public engagement.
- Resume or CV
- Highlight previous public art, mural, or community-based work.
- Portfolio
- Include 5–10 images of past public art projects with brief descriptions (title, date, location, size, materials, budget).
- References
- Provide contact information for two individuals familiar with your work in public or commissioned art.
Selection Process
Submissions will be reviewed based on:
- Artistic quality and originality
- Ability to execute projects efficiently and on time
- Experience working in public, urban, or collaborative settings
- Flexibility and responsiveness to site-specific needs
- Professionalism and communication
Artists selected through this RFQ will be placed in a pre-qualified pool and may be contacted as future opportunities arise.