Bryant Park Sculpture

The City of Bloomington’s Office of Creative Placemaking and Parks and Recreation Department invite public artists who are residents of Minnesota to submit qualifications for the design, fabrication, and installation of an interactive artistic sculpture which will be located at Bryant Park, serving as a striking focal point within the landscape. 

The City of Bloomington’s Office of Creative Placemaking and Parks and Recreation Department invite public artists to submit qualifications for the design, fabrication, and installation of an interactive artistic sculpture which will be located at Bryant Park, serving as a striking focal point within the landscape. The sculpture should be unique and specific to the site. The sculpture should have a theme drawing from nature, highlighting the importance of wetland and water quality improvements, providing an opportunity to inform and inspire visitors. The sculpture design must be inclusive, featuring accessible elements that ensure safety and accommodate a wide range of abilities and ages. It should also be engineered to include climbable features that allow for safe interaction by people of all abilities. Materials must be durable and appropriate for exterior applications within the climate of Minnesota.

PROJECT BUDGET: The total budget for this project is $150,000.00. This not-to-exceed total must cover all design modifications, fabrication, engineering, installation, foundation, site preparations, site visits, transportation of artwork, insurance, and other related expenses including expenses related to the design, fabrication, and installation of the sculpture. More information about the site and sculptural requirements will be made available to the finalists.

WHERE AND WHY? Bryant Park in Bloomington, Minnesota, is undergoing a significant transformation as part of an initiative driven by community input and a comprehensive park master plan. The newly redesigned space will feature a fully accessible playground, a central park shelter, a skate spot, and improved circulation, all focused on inclusivity and sustainability. As part of the reimagined park, a sculpture will be integrated to reflect the park's values of nature education, community connection, accessibility, and engagement, creating a lasting symbol for both residents and visitors. The Bryant Park renovation incorporates significant enhancements to natural resources, focusing on wetland and water quality improvements. The park’s ponds, which play a crucial role in filtering water from surrounding areas, will undergo dredging to remove sediment, optimizing their function. Restoration of the pond banks will also be part of the project, ensuring that these natural features continue to serve as an environmental asset while complementing the park's new amenities. This commitment to sustainability will help create a harmonious balance between recreational spaces and the park's natural ecosystem. For complete details and regular updates on the project, visit blm.mn/park-improvements.

Bryant Park Sculpture Timeline:     

• Deadline to Submit Questions:   August 29, 2025 by 5 p.m.
• RFQ – Qualification Proposals Due:  September 5, 2025, 10:59 PM CST (online via CaFE™)(Do not submit a project proposal or design at this time.)
• Artist Applicant Notification and Finalists Selected by: September 22, 2025
• Site Meeting for Finalists: To be determined with finalists and staff week of September 29, 2025.
• In-person Design Presentations by the Finalists: Week of October 13, 2025
• Selection of Artist/Team By:  October 20, 2025
• Installation of Sculpture:  Spring 2026

*Dates subject to change.

Step One: RFQ – Submit by September 5, 2025, 10:59 PM Central Standard Time

Please apply online through CaFE™.

In addition to your contact information, you will be asked to provide the following:

• Up to one-page letter describing interest in the project and goals, relevant experience, and approach to design.
• One-page biographical information or resume. If you have multiple team members, please provide brief biographical information on each essential member but do not exceed one page.
• Work Samples: up to 10 images of recent relevant art projects (one of which should be for an outdoor art sculpture completed within the last 10 years with a budget of $20,000 or more). Please provide a brief description and final cost for each. Follow CaFE™ image requirements: JPEG format only, 1200 pixels on the longest side, less than 5 MB in size. Visit the CaFE Help Page , for more information on image requirements or for help resizing images.
• One-page listing three references who can speak about your ability as an artist and collaborator. Include email and phone number for each reference.

Do not submit a project proposal or design at this time.

Step Two: Selection Criteria for Artists – Notification by September 22, 2025

The submitted qualifications will be evaluated by a selection panel composed of stakeholders, staff, community members, and public art professionals. The panel will select three finalists based on the following criteria:

1. 40%: Quality of the letter of interest including an understanding of the project description and goals, and approach to design.
2. 40%: Artistic quality and relevance of artwork samples.
3. 10%: Demonstrated experience with a parks-based project, or collaboration with the public sector or community organizations.
4. 10%: Understanding of and/or connection to Bloomington.

Step Three: Selection of artist/team to create Bryant sculpture Notification by October 20, 2025

Three finalists will be selected and scheduled to present their concept design proposal in person to a selection panel the week of October 13, 2025. Specific information on the presentation will be provided to the three finalists. Finalists will also be required to attend an onsite meeting with City staff. Each finalist/team will receive a $2,000 design payment inclusive of any travel expenses. Payments are only available via check. A basic, digital design image and description will be requested and distributed to the panel one week prior to scheduled presentation. The concept design presentation should include visuals in the form of digital presentation, a scale model, drawings, or a combination of formats. The presentation should also include a detailed description of how the design meets the goals of the project, key team members, past experience, a project timeline, ongoing maintenance needs and related estimated costs, and a budget outlining how the proposed sculpture will fit within budget parameters. The ideal anticipated installation date of the Bryant Park sculpture is in Spring 2026. If the artist/team requires more time, they should state that in their presentation. The panel will consider the following criteria when selecting the artist/team:

1. 40%: Artistic quality and structural integrity. Is the concept design visually engaging, and does it fit well within the project theme, goals, and context of the park? Will the sculpture engage a broad audience in a meaningful way? Does the sculpture design consider safety and accessibility? Does the artist address if the materials are durable and appropriate for Minnesota climate?
2. 30%: Experience and qualifications. Does the artist/team have experience with sculpture projects including those working with parks, municipalities, or community organizations? Does the artist demonstrate the technical ability to execute a project of this scale and complexity?
3. 20%: Timeline, budget, and maintenance needs are clearly outlined and appropriate.
4. 10%: Communication and collaboration skills. Ability to communicate design concepts clearly. Artist/team demonstrates professionalism and spirit of collaboration.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

We encourage interested applicants to learn more about Bloomington Creative Placemaking efforts by visiting blm.mn/placemaking, and the Parks & Recreation Department and its history by visiting blm.mn/parks.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to inquire about any portion of the RFQ that is not fully understood or susceptible to more than one (1) interpretation. Written inquiries are required. Oral communications will not be accepted, except to confirm delivery of proposal or written correspondence.

All inquiries, questions, or clarifications must be submitted not later than seven (7) calendar days prior to the due date of this RFQ. Those inquiries, questions, or clarifications submitted after this date will not be answered. All inquiries will be responded to within three (3) business days.

Please direct questions to: Kathryn Murray, Creative Placemaking Specialist at placemaking@bloomingtonmn.gov. Any questions concerning the RFQ must reference the page number, section heading, and paragraph. Questions may be submitted via email. Please place “Bryant Sculpture RFQ Question” in the subject line.

Please do not ask other City personnel questions, as information gathered from other sources may not reflect the correct position or interest and could result in disqualification.

A Question and Answers addendum related to this RFQ will be updated as questions come in and can be found at https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/pl/bryant-park-sculpture-rfq. The last date that answers will be posted is September 2, 2025.

Upon request, this information can be available in Braille, large print, audio tape and/or electronic format.

This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is open to experienced public artists and artist teams who have completed at least one commissioned outdoor public art sculpture with a budget of $20,000 or more in the past ten years. Applicants must be 18 years or older and residents of Minnesota, with priority consideration given to teams who include a Bloomington resident.