Request for Qualifications for Public Art: Columns, Mosaic Inlay in Concrete & Playground Sculpture

The City of South San Francisco invites qualified artists or artist teams to submit their qualifications for the design and creation of a cohesive suite of site-specific mosaic artworks at the new Linden and Pine Park. The commission will include three integrated mosaic components: four sculptural mosaic columns, a pavement mosaic inlay, and a mosaic-clad playground sculpture. One artist or artist team will be selected to ensure the artworks are conceptually and aesthetically unified. This project is envisioned to enhance the park’s visual identity, serve as a backdrop for performances and community gatherings, and foster a strong sense of place through a site-responsive mosaic design.

Introduction
The City of South San Francisco invites qualified artists or artist teams to submit their qualifications for the design and creation of a cohesive suite of site-specific mosaic artworks at the new Linden and Pine Park. The commission will include three integrated mosaic components: four sculptural mosaic columns, a pavement mosaic inlay, and a mosaic-clad playground sculpture. One artist or artist team will be selected to ensure the artworks are conceptually and aesthetically unified. This project is envisioned to enhance the park’s visual identity, serve as a backdrop for performances and community gatherings, and foster a strong sense of place through a site-responsive mosaic design.

Project Overview

Project Background

The new Linden and Pine Park represents South San Francisco’s ongoing investment in accessible, inclusive public spaces that bring people together. Located at the intersection of two key neighborhood streets, the park is being developed on formerly underutilized parcels and will showcase this corner of the city into a welcoming community hub.

Once complete, the park will provide open space for leisure, recreation, and celebration—serving as a flexible gathering place in one of the city’s most diverse and evolving neighborhoods.

South San Francisco, historically known as the “Industrial City,” has grown into a dynamic and culturally rich community—home to working families, biotech pioneers, and multigenerational residents. The Old Town neighborhood surrounding Linden and Pine reflect this vibrancy and resilience, and the new park is envisioned as a central green space where that spirit can be expressed and experienced.

In support of this vision, the City is commissioning a permanent public artwork consisting of sculptural columns, mosaic inlays in concrete and a playground sculpture, which together will define a performance zone and serve as a backdrop for community events and everyday moments. Artists are invited to create a site-specific work that reflects the character of the neighborhood, celebrates cultural identity, and invites connection—helping establish this new park as a place for joy, creativity, and belonging.
 

Project Goals

The public artwork should:

• Enhance Placemaking: Create a distinctive visual identity for Linden and Pine Park that contributes to a strong sense of place and reflects the neighborhood’s cultural richness and diversity.
• Unify Art and Function: Integrate sculptural columns and mosaic inlays into the park’s layout to frame a flexible performance area, supporting both everyday use and community programming.
• Celebrate Community Identity: Reflect the unique character, history, and aspirations of the surrounding South San Francisco Old Town neighborhood through engaging, site-specific design, and engage the community through the design or creative process.
• Ensure Durability and Longevity: Use durable, weather-resistant materials designed for long-term outdoor display, prioritizing low maintenance and public safety. Recommended materials include high-fired porcelain, quarry tile, or natural stone, installed over reinforced concrete using epoxy thin-set and grout.
• Align with the City's public art master plan and curatorial guidelines.  Link:  public art master plan
• Encourage Artistic Diversity: Welcome a wide range of artistic styles and approaches—including abstract, representational, decorative, and functional—to ensure the final artwork reflects the richness of artistic expression and resonates with a diverse community.

Artistic Theme & Community Engagement

The artwork should celebrate the cultural vibrancy, neighborhood identity, and evolving character of South San Francisco. Artists are encouraged to create a design that is visually compelling, enhances the park’s role as a community gathering space, and fosters a sense of belonging and pride.

Artists are required to incorporate meaningfully community input into their creative process. This could include hands-on design workshops, community input sessions, or participatory elements that involve local residents, schools, or neighborhood organizations. The goal is to ensure that the artwork not only reflects the community’s voice but also strengthens the connection between the space and those who use it.

Proposals that demonstrate meaningful and thoughtful strategies for community involvement during the design or fabrication process will be prioritized.

Scope of Work

The selected artist or team will be responsible for:

• Develop and present a cohesive design concept for sculptural columns, integrated mosaic inlays, and a mosaic-clad playground sculpture that aligns with the project goals and responds to the site’s role as a performance venue, gathering space, and play area.
• Fabricating and installing the artwork—including vertical elements (columns), horizontal components (mosaic inlays), and a climbable, child-safe playground sculpture—in accordance with all City of South San Francisco standards, safety regulations, and site specifications.
• Ensuring the use of durable, outdoor-appropriate materials—especially for high-traffic and interactive surfaces—such as frost- and slip-resistant tile, grout, adhesives, and protective finishes suitable for long-term public exposure.
• Coordinating with the City and construction teams on all site logistics, including installation timelines and integration with the park’s development schedule.
• Providing a protective coating for all components that meets City of South San Francisco standards (e.g., Coval anti-graffiti coating or approved equivalent). Final product selection will be reviewed and approved during the contracting phase.
• Submitting a detailed maintenance plan outlining recommended care, cleaning, and anticipated longevity for both the mosaic and sculptural elements.
• Incorporating community engagement into the design process, where feasible, through workshops, input sessions, or participatory design elements that reflect community voice and strengthen neighborhood connection to the artwork.

Budget

The maximum project budget is $168,000, which must cover all project-related costs, including design, materials, fabrication, community engagement, labor, transportation, installation, insurance, and any other associated expenses. Cost-effective and innovative approaches are strongly encouraged, as long as they maintain a high standard of artistic excellence, durability, and alignment with the goals of the Linden and Pine Park project.

Eligibility Requirements

Artists or teams must:

• Have demonstrated experience creating similar-scale public artworks, particularly sculptural or mosaic-based installations.
• Be able to meet project deadlines and adhere to budget constraints.
• Possess knowledge of durable materials suitable for exterior, high-traffic, and/or outdoor conditions (as applicable).
• Provide a minimum of three (3) professional references from relevant projects that attest to the artist's ability to successfully complete similar work.

Selection Criteria

The City of South San Francisco invites qualified artists or artist teams to submit their qualifications for the design, fabrication, and installation of a site-specific public artwork at Linden and Pine Park. This integrated project—featuring sculptural columns, mosaic inlays in concrete, and mosaic-clad climbable playground sculpture—aims to enhance the park’s identity as a community gathering space, celebrate the cultural richness of the surrounding neighborhood, and create a visually engaging performance backdrop.

Artists should demonstrate a strong alignment with the project goals, including the ability to deliver a cohesive, creative, and durable artwork within the established project timeline and budget. Proposals will be evaluated based on artistic excellence, experience with similar public art projects, understanding of materials and site conditions, and a thoughtful approach to community engagement and collaboration.

The City of South San Francisco reserves the right to reject any or all submissions, and final approval will be subject to compliance with City standards and contracting requirements.

Timeline

• Deadline for Questions: July 10, 2025
• Submission Deadline: July 18, 2025 (by 5:00 PM PST) or first 250 applications
• Shortlist Announced: Aug 1st, 2025
• Finalist Concept Proposal Deadline: Sept 5, 2025
• Presentation to the Cultural Arts Commission: September 23, 2025
• Final Selection: October 3, 2025
• Contracting: Oct 8 -19, 2025
• Design Development: Oct  22 – Jan 24, 2025/26
• Installation Window: June-September 2026
• Final Completion: October 2026 

Submission Process

The three highest-ranking artists or teams based on total score will be shortlisted to submit a complete site-specific concept. Each shortlisted artist or team will enter into an agreement for SSF Public Art Concept Submission (Exhibit B).  Upon receipt and approval of the complete site-specific concept, the artist will receive a $1,000 stipend. As part of the final process, the selection committee may request interviews or additional materials prior to making a final recommendation. Final approval will be subject to the City’s contracting process and compliance with all applicable requirements.  Once an artist is selected, City and artist will enter into a SSF Public Art Agreement (Exhibit C). 

Questions contact:

• Ann Berchtold
• SSF Public Art Consultant
• aberchtold@migcom.com

All materials must be received by July 18, 2025. Late submissions will not be considered.

Legal and Insurance Requirements

The selected artist(s) will be required to abide by all terms of the SSF Public Art Agreement as shown in Exhibit C.

All design concepts and renderings must be original works. If AI-assisted tools are used, the artist must ensure that the final design does not infringe on third-party copyrights and reflects substantial human creativity and authorship.

Additional Information

The commissioning entity reserves the right to reject any or all submissions and to modify or cancel the project.

Questions regarding this RFQ must be submitted to Ann Berchtold at aberchtold@migcom.com by July 10, 2025 (by 5:00 PM PST)

South San Francisco Cultural Arts Programs:  www.ssf.net/culturalarts

Linden and Pine Park Project Information:  www.ssf.net/parkprojects

SSF Cultural Arts Program & Orange Memorial Park Aquatic Center Details:

• www.ssf.net/CulturalArts
• www.ssf.net/ParkProjects

Exhibits

• Exhibit A: Mosaic Inlay Pattern & Column Position
• Exhibit B:  SSF Public Art Concept Submission Agreement
• Exhibit C:  SSF Public Art Agreement

Applicants must submit the following:

• Letter of Interest: A one-page letter describing your interest in the project and how your work aligns with its goals.
• Resume or CV: Include a summary of relevant experience and accomplishments for all team members.
• Portfolio: Submit a digital portfolio containing three to ten high-resolution images of previous public artworks, particularly mosaics, sculptures, or similar installations. Include details such as dimensions, materials, location, budget, and context. Hard copies will not be accepted.
• References: Contact information for three professional references who can attest to your abilities.
• Community Engagement Plan

Artists or teams must:

• Have demonstrated experience creating similar-scale murals.
• Be able to meet project deadlines and adhere to budget constraints.
• Possess knowledge of durable materials suitable for interior, high-traffic, and/or outdoor conditions (as applicable).
• Provide a minimum of three (3) professional references from relevant projects that attest to the artist's ability to successfully complete similar work.