Midvale Main Street Entryway Sculpture: Midvale Public Art

The Redevelopment Agency of Midvale City is announcing a call for artists based in the United States, or artist teams, interested in submitting their qualifications for the design and construction of a public art feature that will serve as an entryway feature to the north entrance of the Midvale Main Arts & Culture District and will be a focal point in the newly constructed plaza.  

Timeline   

• Request for Qualifications Opens – September 19, 2025 @ 11:59 PM MST
• Application Deadline – October 17, 2025
• Design Advisory Board Meets – October 21, 2025
• Notification to Finalists – October 21, 2025
• Proposals Deadline – November 11, 2025 @ 11:59 PM MST
• Final Proposal Presentation by Artist -- November 18, 2025
• Final Selection and Artist Notification – November 20, 2025
• Installation of Artwork by April 24, 2026

Project Description  

Midvale Main Street is a historic corridor deeply rooted in the industrial heartland of the American West. Originally known as Bingham Junction, the city's growth was inextricably linked to the booming mining industry. From 1871 to 1987, numerous smelters, refineries, and mills operated just west of Main Street, processing precious metals and minerals extracted from the nearby Bingham and Little Cottonwood canyons. This industrial behemoth fueled Midvale's growth, with Main Street emerging as its vibrant commercial and social center. However, the decline of the mining industry, coupled with the subsequent construction of I-15, freight and commuter railways, and the environmental challenges posed by the former smelter operations, isolated Main Street and hindered its progress. Despite these obstacles, Midvale retains a rich cultural heritage and a strong community spirit.  

The city recently constructed a new plaza that serves as a community gathering space. This plaza is part of an overall plan to create a vibrant entryway to Midvale Main Street and encompasses the open spaces surrounding the Midvale City Hall campus. As part of the site plan, permanent sculptural artwork will be installed at the intersection of Midvale Main Street and Holden Street. This iconic piece will symbolize the city's transformation and will provide a memorable experience for residents and visitors alike.  

This sculptural art piece will go through two separate artist selection committee meetings. The initial selection will result in no more than three finalists. Once the finalists have been selected by the appointed committee, the finalists will be required to create and present their proposals in-person during the second selection meeting. In the second meeting, one design will be chosen for installation. The sculptural design will then be taken to a City Council meeting to move forward with their recommendation per the Public Art Guidelines.   

Criteria required for consideration will be as follows: previous experience on projects of similar scope and scale, willingness to collaborate with Midvale City RDA staff, and ability to work within the desired time constraints. This call is open to all U.S.A.-based artists or teams regardless of race, creed, gender, gender variance, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, political opinion or affiliation, or disability.  

Project Budget  

The RDA has a total project budget of $80,000.00 including design, supplies, fabrication, installation, travel, and any other expenses the artist may incur. If selected to create a proposal, each proposal will receive compensation of $200.00 regardless of final design selection.  

Artwork Goals  

The selected artwork should:  

• Honor Midvale Main Street's past as an industrial hub while embracing its vibrant future as a thriving arts and culture district, representing innovation, creativity, and community.
• Create a sense of place: Foster a strong connection between the artwork and the surrounding environment, enhancing the overall experience of Midvale Main Street.
• Be visually compelling: Engage and inspire viewers with a striking and memorable design.
• Consider durability and maintenance: The artwork should be constructed to withstand the elements and require minimal upkeep.

Selection Process  

The Design Advisory Board is an advisory group of staff, residents, and a City Council representative selected to oversee the Agency’s public art program. They are selected for their related expertise and willingness to serve the community. The Design Board is directed to make recommendations to the Agency Board of Directors for final approval on artist selection for each public art project.  

Depending on the scope of the project and associated selection process, the Design Advisory Board may select a short list of semi-finalists who will be invited to interview and present a full proposal.      

The Redevelopment Agency of Midvale City reserves the right to reject any or all applications, to reissue the “Call for Artists”, or to terminate the selection process or project at any time without prior notice.  

Selection Criteria / Eligibility  
The Midvale City Design Advisory Board will review the materials submitted and forward a recommendation to the Agency Board of Directors for approval of the commission. The Advisory Board is comprised of five members comprising of RDA personnel and local community partners including, but not limited to:  

• RDA representative
• City Planner
• City Council Member
• Arts Community representative (Arts Council, Artist, Performer, outside Arts representative)
• Community/property owner representative

 In selecting the artist/team for this project, the following criteria will be applied:  

• Artwork that is one-of-a-kind, site specific, and meets the project goals.
• Artistic excellence, innovation, and originality as evidenced by representations of past work and other supporting material.
• The artist’s work has the potential to contribute to a sense of place, relating to historic and cultural context, and relationship to surrounding building design.
• The artist’s professional experience is adequate to meet the demands of the project including the ability to work with others on the design and construction teams.
• Assessed ability to meet deadlines and budget, and to perform work in timely, professional manner.
• The artist’s work meets all operational, maintenance, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), safety, schedules, and stated budget requirements.
• Artist will be required to provide proof of insurance and enter into a written agreement with the RDA of Midvale City for the installation for the project.

RFQ Submission Guidelines and Requirements  

Applicants are required to submit all necessary information by the set deadline of October 17, no later than 11:59 PM MST. All submissions must include the following (page max):  

• Letter of interest; including artist’s name, email, mailing address, any other necessary contact information, interest in the project, and a brief biography of the artist (1 page).
• Artist resume or CV. Artist teams must provide one resume per member of the team (2 pages).
• 5-10 images of ​previous​ work that exemplifies skills relevant to this project including titles, completion dates, materials, client, and budget (5 pages).

If selected to create a proposal after the initial selection process, the proposal must include:  

• Visual rendering and written description of the proposed artwork along with in-person PowerPoint presentation. Be sure to include detailed dimensions, medium, and materials to be used in the piece (6 pages).
• A detailed breakdown of proposed budget for the artwork, not to exceed $80,000.00 (1 page).
• A Maintenance Plan, including a schedule with recommended specifications and cost estimates for regular and annual maintenance based on the function, aesthetics, and materials of the Artwork. Annual maintenance shall include reapplication of protective coatings, replacement or reapplication of parts, fixtures, paint or patina touch-ups as well as cleaning procedures. The Maintenance Plans shall also address concerns regarding vandalism mitigation (1 page).

Please do not include supplemental materials beyond the above-listed requirements.    

This call is open to all artists 18 years of age and older. While welcoming artists of all skill levels and backgrounds, applicants must have prior sculptural experience to be considered. Midvale City is dedicated to fostering art-focused careers and providing transparent opportunities for the art community. All artists, regardless of background or identity, are encouraged to apply.