Pima County, AZ - Himmel Park Library - Public Art Opportunity RFQ

In partnership with Pima County, SAACA is seeking a Public Artist or Artist Team to create a site-specific public artwork for the newly renovated Himmel Park Library in the historic Sam Hughes neighborhood. This project, funded through Pima County’s 1% for Public Art program, offers a $35,692 budget to design and install an engaging, durable piece that enhances the library’s outdoor reading porch or surrounding exterior spaces. Artists are encouraged to consider designs that reflect the library’s mission of education, inspiration, and community connection while complementing the character of the park and neighborhood. Open to all artists worldwide. The project will begin in June 2025, with completion anticipated by November 2025.

CALL TO ARTISTS

In collaboration with Pima County, the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA) is seeking a qualified Public Artist or Artist Team for commission, through a Request for Qualifications application process (RFQ). This is a request for qualifications only. Do not submit proposals for artwork at this time.

1% FOR PUBLIC ART

Pima County’s 1% for Public Art program, established in 1990, is dedicated to enhancing public spaces with meaningful artworks that reflect the county’s unique character and cultural heritage. By setting aside 1% of funds from eligible capital projects, this program brings art to parks, libraries, roadways, bridges, and other community spaces, creating daily opportunities for residents and visitors to experience creativity in their surroundings. Facilitated by the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA), the artist selection process brings together local artists and community representatives to ensure each piece resonates with the diverse voices of our region. Today, with over 100 permanent installations, Pima County’s public art collection enriches public life, celebrating shared stories and inspiring connections across our communities.

ARTWORK MEDIUM AND LOCATION

Sculptural work is preferred for this opportunity. Artwork should be primarily composed of durable metal or similarly resilient materials that are resistant to graffiti, theft, and tampering. All materials must be appropriate for long-term exposure to the elements and able to withstand the challenges of the Sonoran Desert climate, including intense sunlight, heat, and seasonal monsoons. For wall-mounted or integrated pieces, artists will need to consider the weight-bearing capabilities of the building’s existing or planned construction. These factors will be reviewed in coordination with the County’s architectural and construction teams.

Because the library’s renovation will be underway during the art development phase, final placement of the artwork will be determined in collaboration with the selected artist, design team, and project stakeholders. 

One proposed location is the new reading porch on the south side of the building, which will be enclosed by a fence. Artwork could potentially be incorporated into the fence structure, offering visibility both from within the library and from the surrounding park. Additional possibilities include a freestanding piece placed inside the patio area, or mounted sculptural work on key architectural walls—such as the west-facing wall of the patio or the lobby wall opposite the service desk.

Please refer to the attached floor plan, where potential art locations are shaded in red, as well as architectural renderings that show the evolving design of the space.

Artwork Locations in Red

• View Site Details

BACKGROUND AND ARTWORK THEME

The Himmel Park Library is a beloved neighborhood resource that serves as both a gateway to the Pima County Public Library system and a vibrant community gathering space. Nestled in the northeast corner of Himmel Park, at First Street and Treat Avenue, the library is located in the heart of the historic Sam Hughes Neighborhood. While the library building itself is not a contributing structure to the historic district, it is deeply connected to the character and spirit of the area.

The site is frequented by a wide range of community members—from young families and children to longtime residents and seniors—making it a multigenerational hub for learning, connection, and creativity. Several community groups, including the Sam Hughes Neighborhood Association and its Beautification Committee, are actively engaged in the library’s development and stewardship.

The current renovation project will preserve the library’s historic reading room while creating a new, expanded facility that better serves the evolving needs of the community. New features will include a larger children’s area, a flexible multi-purpose room with a new AV system, a computer commons with a laptop bar, and inviting outdoor spaces like a reading porch and staff patio. Enhanced staff areas will support expanded programming and improved service delivery.

Artists are encouraged to consider work that reflects the library's role as a welcoming, intergenerational space that fosters community, imagination, and shared experience. Artwork should consider the deep neighborhood roots of the location and highlight the vital connection between the library, the park, and the people who use them.

ARTWORK BUDGET

The all-inclusive budget of $35,692 for artwork must cover all costs related to: design, materials, production, transportation and installation of the artwork; permits, taxes, and insurance that may be required by the City of Tucson or Pima County; soil analysis, engineering, and mounting for the artwork. 

CONSTRUCTION PROJECT TIMELINE

The library is currently in design and construction is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2025 and last approximately 20 months. 

TIME FRAME

Public art project timelines follow the schedule of the larger improvement. Dates are subject to change.

PUBLIC INTERFACE AND EXPECTATIONS

The selected Artist/Artist Team will be contracted directly with Pima County to produce the artwork. Once under contract, the Artist/Artist Team will work collaboratively with Pima County, SAACA, and a seven-person Public Art Panel (the Panel) to develop a conceptual design for the artwork. 

During the Artwork Design Phase, the Artist/Artist Team will work closely with the Panel on a conceptual design before approval of a  final design by the County Risk Manager, and then enter into the production phase. The Artist/Artist Team may be expected to attend one or more public meetings to present conceptual artwork designs to the broader community (to the extent practicable as determined by the County) during the design process. The Artist/Artist Team will adhere to the criteria outlined in Pima County Administrative Procedure, 3-16 section VI and detailed in the Artist Contract EXHIBIT ‘A’ SCOPE OF WORK, EXHIBIT ‘B’ PAYMENT, and EXHIBIT ‘C’ PUBLIC ART BUDGET/SCHEDULE FORM. (See supplementary Resources links provided at the top of the Guidelines to view Pima County Administrative Procedures and Artist Contract Template.)

ARTWORK DESIGN PROCESS

Once the Artist/Artist Team is under contract with Pima County, the Panel will reconvene and meet with the artist on a monthly basis to provide input on the artwork conceptual designs.  

When the Artist/Artist Team’s conceptual artwork design is approved by the panel the design will be submitted to the County for review. Upon acceptance by the county, the Artist/Artist Team may present the conceptual design to the broader public in up to two public meetings (to the extent practicable as determined by the County). The Panel will reconvene to consider any comments from those meetings. The artist will then pursue engineering of designs and the County Risk Managers approval. Upon Risk Managements approval, the conceptual design is officially considered the “Final Design”.

The Artwork Design Phase does not have a limit on the number of monthly panel meetings. Barring any delays on artwork design development on the part of the Artist/Artist Team or delays with the construction project that impact the artwork design, approximately 6-8 panel meetings for the Artwork Design Phase are anticipated for a project of this scope.

ARTWORK FABRICATION

Artwork fabrication/production timeline will be dependent upon the design. The Artist/Artist team and the County will agree on an appropriate schedule and delivery date as described in EXHIBIT ‘C’ PUBLIC ART BUDGET/SCHEDULE FORM of the Artist Contract prior to approval to production. The Artist/ Artist Team will be expected to adhere to the agreed upon timeline. Depending on the nature of the artwork and barring any delays with the fabrication on the part of the Artist/Artist team or delays with the construction project, production is estimated at 10 months for a project of this scope. 

ARTIST SELECTION 

A seven-person Public Art Project Panel will be assembled for the project with representation from the Project Manager of the construction site, the Project Design team, the District in which the project occurs, stakeholder groups/community members residing in the vicinity of the construction project, and arts professionals. The panel will review all qualified applicants, select 3 finalists for interviews and presentations, and select the Artist/Artist Team for the project. A new Panel is convened for each unique Public Art project. All panel meetings will be convened virtually.

The Artist/Artist Team will be selected through an open and competitive process. Selection of artists and artworks will be based upon criteria of artistic quality, demonstrated ability to meet the criteria set forth in the posted guidelines, as well as the goals expressed by the Panel. The Panel will select up to three finalists from the pool of applicants (Art Panel Meeting 1). Exact dates for virtual interviews and presentations will be scheduled once the finalists are determined (Art Panel Meeting 2). (Pima County Administrative Procedure, 3-16, Section V, Selection of Artists and Artworks). 

APPLICANT EVALUATION

All submitted applications undergo a Technical Review by the Public Art Coordinator. At this stage, applications are reviewed for completeness, eligibility based on the published Call to Artist, and compliance with the published guidelines.

The Public Art Panel will score each qualified applicant using criteria including, but not limited to:

• The professional qualifications of the artist(s) as evidenced by the supporting materials.
• Proven ability to undertake projects of the described scope.
• Artistic merit and superior caliber craftsmanship as evidenced by the images.
• Suitability of applicant to project intent and site.

SUPPLEMENTARY LINKS (Hyperlinked)

Questions/Follow Up

Questions regarding this opportunity should be directed to Matt Rolland, SAACA Deputy Director, at 520-274-2758, email: matt@saaca.org.

Please read the following information carefully as incomplete or late submissions will not be accepted. Supplemental information beyond what is requested will not be reviewed by the Public Art Panel. Failure to provide any of the published requirements could result in disqualification from the competition. Duplicate submissions will not be accepted. All materials must be submitted via CaFÉ (callforentry.org) according to the specifications outlined below:

• An artist statement/letter of interest written specifically to address the following: Describe your artwork/approach/style/perspective/background. What excites you about this opportunity? How may you approach this public art project?
• Artist(s) resume or CV, relevant information for any other key team members - Applicants may submit a resume no longer than 2 pages in length. Artists teams may submit an additional 1-page resume per artist team member. The resume is an overview of your work and accomplishments in list form. Prioritize your accomplishments, commissions, and professional experience as it relates to this opportunity, with the most recent, relevant and strongest categories at the beginning. Do not include portrait photographs in the resume.
• Between Six and Ten images and up to five videos of artwork PREVIOUSLY created (portfolio) that showcases your artwork/style/perspective. Complete image citations will be required; including artwork title, medium, height, width and depth, price or value, year completed, and description. Please review and adhere to the Image and Media Preparation page on CaFÉ when formatting your images or videos. Tutorials can be downloaded using the links near the bottom of the page. By default, CaFÉ will organize the images in your submission alphabetically. If you wish to present the images to the committee in a different order you must prioritize the images before submitting an application.

The Public Art opportunity is open to professional Artists and Artist Teams including but not limited to individuals or teams who are engaged full-time or part-time in the production of eligible works of art, teachers of art, and emerging professional artists (Pima County Administrative Procedure, 3-16, Section II)

Artists using artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the creation of their proposal must identify the use of AI in the information accompanying each image. The sculpture must be an original creation by the artist(s). 

Note: Artist Teams are required to select a team lead as a point of contact for all communications. If selected for the project, team members will need to form an LLC or may designate the team lead as signatory in order to contract with the County. If selecting the team lead as signatory, the County will contract with them directly as the “Vendor/Contractor”. Subcontracting and performance of team members is the exclusive responsibility of the Vendor/Contractor. Artists applying as a member of a team are not eligible to also apply as an individual.