City of Wichita Downtown Sculpture Purchase Initiative

The City of Wichita seeks to expand its public art collection by purchasing permanent outdoor sculptures for 14 existing pedestals in downtown Wichita, Kansas. The pedestals are located throughout the Old Town, Downtown, and Delano districts. Artists at all stages of their careers are invited to submit existing or conceptual sculptures for consideration with a budget of $8,000-$14,000 per artwork.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The City of Wichita seeks to expand its public art collection by purchasing permanent outdoor sculptures for 14 existing pedestals located throughout Wichita’s central core districts of Old Town, Downtown, and Delano. The brick and concrete pedestals are owned by the City of Wichita and located on publicly accessible pedestrian walkways and plazas near residential buildings, small businesses, green spaces, Intrust Bank Arena, and Equity Bank Park baseball stadium.

Artists at all stages of their careers are invited to submit existing or conceptual sculptures for consideration with a budget of $8,000-$14,000 per artwork. Selected artworks will be accessioned into the City’s 300-piece Public Art Collection and included in the City’s annual art maintenance plan.

PERCENT FOR ART & CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN

This project is funded through the Percent for Art Ordinance and the City of Wichita’s Capital Improvement Plan. In 2019, the Wichita City Council approved an ordinance that allotted 2% of capital improvement funds to a pool of funding allocated for the commissioning of on-site artworks that then become part of the citywide art collection. The administration of the Percent for Art Program is overseen by the Design Council, an 11-member advisory board.

ART GOALS AND CRITERIA

The artwork should:

• Enhance the aesthetics and character of downtown Wichita
• Create unique and memorable experiences for visitors
• Foster a sense of community and place
• Reflect the cultural heritage of Wichita
• Be durable, safe, and low maintenance

All media in all genres suitable for outdoor public spaces will be considered. Artwork must be structurally sound, permanent, durable, and low maintenance. Artists may submit multiple applications for existing or conceptual sculptures for consideration. If the proposed project is not a finished work, artists must provide renderings to assure the Selection Committee of what it will look like and include information regarding dimensions, materials, fabrication techniques, coatings, as well as examples of past work. The work must be completed and installed as designed by March 2026.

The permanent pedestals are constructed of red brick and concrete and measure 54” W x 54” D. The height of the pedestals range from approximately 21” to 25”. A removable steel plate with gridded holes for attachment measuring 32” x 32” is inset into the top of each pedestal. The pedestal located at Equity Park is constructed of concrete. Images of pedestals are available in the View Site Details link at the top of this page.

ART LOCATION DESCRIPTION

HISTORIC OLD TOWN DISTRICT

Ten pedestals are located along pedestrian pathways in Wichita’s Old Town District, one of the most popular spots in the city. Originally established in the 1860s as a trading post, the area quickly grew into a bustling hub for commerce and industry. By the early 1900s, Old Town had become the center of Wichita’s entertainment scene, with theaters, vaudeville houses, and dance halls attracting crowds from all over the region. In the 1980s a revitalization effort transformed the area into a vibrant cultural hub filled with art galleries, restaurants, bars, and shops. Its historic architecture and charming atmosphere make it a popular destination for both locals and visitors alike.

INTRUST BANK ARENA

Three pedestals are located next to Intrust Bank Arena in the heart of downtown Wichita. The arena is a modern, state-of-the-art sports and entertainment venue with restaurants, shops, and the Commerce Arts District nearby. 

EQUITY BANK PARK

One pedestal is located at the Equity Bank Park, host to Wind Surge baseball games in the historic Delano neighborhood, and adjacent to the Arkansas River, bike/walk paths, and retailers. 

Site map and images are available in the View Site Details link at the top of this page.

BUDGET

Existing or conceptual sculptures that are priced $8,000-$14,000 will be considered for this opportunity. The price of the artwork must include all costs and artist fees, including design, materials, fabrication, insurance, transportation/delivery to the site, and installation.

SELECTION PROCESS

Submissions will be reviewed by a Selection Committee comprised of stakeholders, arts professionals, and City staff. The Selection Committee’s recommendations for the purchase of artworks will be approved by the Design Council and City Council prior to notification of awards. Purchase awards will be determined based on the selection criteria and the full purchase initiative of fourteen artworks may or may not be fulfilled with this call to artists.

PROJECT TIMELINE

All dates are approximate and subject to change.

RFP issued: June 9, 2025

Applicant questions due: June 30, 2025

Qualifications due: July 21, 2025, 11:59 p.m. (MDT)

Review of qualifications: July-August 2025

Notification of awards: September 2025

Installation: March 2026

SELECTION CRITERIA

Applicants will be selected based on a competitive review of the following criteria:

• Artistic excellence, vision, and quality craftsmanship
• Demonstrated ability to conceive and deliver high quality artwork
• Perceived fit for permanent outdoor installation in public spaces
• Durability, site appropriateness, and maintenance requirements

QUESTIONS

All inquiries should be emailed to Jana Erwin (jerwin@wichita.gov) by June 30, 2025, 5:00 p.m. (CDT).

HOW TO APPLY

Application is available via CaFE̒ at callforentry.org. The deadline for submission is July 21, 2025, 11:59 p.m. (MDT).

Each artist or artist team must submit an entirely digital application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

1. Three (3) to six (6) total images of existing or conceptual three-dimensional outdoor artworks for purchase per application. Artists may submit up to five applications. Each sculpture must be submitted as a separate application.

a. If the application is for an unfinished or conceptual sculpture, provide renderings and information regarding dimensions, materials, fabrication techniques, coatings, completion timeline, and three (3) images of past work.

2.Annotated Image List: An annotated image list that includes the title, media, year completed, dimensions, and purchase price for each corresponding image.

a. The annotated image list may include thumbnails of submitted images but does not replace the need to upload individual image files in fulfillment of number 1 above.

b. Image annotations may include very brief descriptions of how the image illustrates one or more of the selection criteria.

3. A one (1) page Artist Statement

4. A two (2) page resume or curriculum vitae (CV).

a. If applying as an artist team, provide a resume or CV for each team member and a list of key team members and their roles/affiliations in one PDF.

This project is open to professional artists at all stages of their career who reside in the United States. Geographic preferences are for Wichita and Kansas based artists. 

It is the declared policy and practice of the City of Wichita to extend equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, political affiliation, sexual orientation, disability, or other non-merit factors.