Request for Qualifications (RFQ): University Avenue Underpass Mural Project

Basin Arts, in partnership with Lafayette Consolidated Government (LCG), invites qualified artists or artist teams to submit qualifications for the design and implementation of a large-scale public mural at the University Avenue underpass, 339 N. University Avenue, Lafayette, La 70506.

This project seeks to transform a key gateway corridor into a vibrant, welcoming landmark that invites locals and visitors towards vital education and public service institutions along the roadway, including the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette City Hall, the Lafayette Regional Airport, the Lafayette Police Department, Lafayette Elementary School, Truman Early Childhood Education Center, alongside historic neighborhoods, and a multitude of local businesses from Interstate 10 to Highway 90.
 

Request for Qualifications (RFQ): University Avenue Underpass Mural Project

Issued by Basin Arts and Lafayette Consolidated Government

Release Date: November 14, 2025
Submission Deadline: December 15, 2025

PROJECT OVERVIEW:

Basin Arts, in partnership with Lafayette Consolidated Government (LCG), invites qualified artists or artist teams to submit qualifications for the design and implementation of a large-scale public mural at the University Avenue underpass, 339 N. University Avenue, Lafayette, La 70506.

This project seeks to transform a key gateway corridor into a vibrant, welcoming landmark that invites locals and visitors towards vital education and public service institutions along the roadway, including the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette City Hall, the Lafayette Regional Airport, the Lafayette Police Department, Lafayette Elementary School, Truman Early Childhood Education Center, alongside historic neighborhoods, and a multitude of local businesses from Interstate 10 to Highway 90.

Learn More About the University Ave Public Art Initiative Here: https://www.basinartslafayette.com/universityavepublicart

The selected artist will be commissioned to create an original mural that enhances the visual identity of the University Avenue corridor. The mural should celebrate the history and stories of the surrounding neighborhoods, honor the role of education and public service towards a thriving Lafayette, and contribute to the broader revitalization efforts along this important public thoroughfare for generations to come. 

The purpose of this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is to identify artists with demonstrated experience in large-scale mural design and installation, as well as the ability to successfully manage a public art project in coordination with municipal partners, community stakeholders, and project engineers. Additionally, artists with a demonstrated practice of historical research and oral interviews as part of their public art concept and implementation process will be strongly considered. 

SITE DESCRIPTION:

The mural site encompasses two concrete retaining walls and support structures of the University Avenue underpass located near Cameron St. The site includes a northbound wall with an entrance at Midway St. and a southbound wall with an entrance at Dorothy St. Designs should be engaging on a vehicular scale so as to not invite excess pedestrian traffic to the busy roadway. Each retaining wall is 734.5 linear feet with varying elevations 

View Site Details Here: https://www.basinartslafayette.com/_files/ugd/8f619f_c0efb2fcbd40426685a70e8cbe5b1b84.pdf 

Artists should anticipate working in an active traffic corridor with coordination and safety oversight from LCG and project engineers.

BUDGET:

The total project budget is $100,000, inclusive of all artist fees, design and planning, materials, equipment rental, surface prep, anti-graffitti coating, insurance, additional consultants (artists, historians, etc), travel, and any other associated expenses. The project budget does not need to include traffic control or safety barricade costs within the artistic scope. 

PROJECT TIMELINE:

RFQ Released: November 10, 2025
RFQ Submissions Due: December 15, 2025
Finalists Announced: January 15, 2026
Finalists Proposals Due: February 15, 2026
Artist Selection & Contracting: March-April 2026
Community Research/Design Finalization: May-July 2026
Installation Period: September - November 2026
Project Completion: December 2026

 

Each application must include:

• Letter of Interest (max 2 pages): Describe your artistic practice, interest in this project, statement of approach for this project, and relevant experience.
   
• A professional résumé highlighting mural experience.
   
• A minimum of five images/maximum of 10 images of past work (completed within the past seven years) that demonstrate the artist’s ability to complete mural projects of similar scale. Include titles, locations, dates, and brief descriptions for each project.
   
• Contact information for two professional references of related past projects. Artists must include the reference’s name, title, phone number, email, and affiliation with the reference.

Artist applications must be submitted through CaFE (www.callforentry.org). Interested artists must create a FREE artist account at www.callforentry.org to submit an application.

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Artists should not submit mural proposals to this RFQ. Proposals will be requested only from selected finalists. Proposals submitted as part of this application will not be juried.

SELECTION PROCESS & CRITERIA:

This is a Request for Qualifications (RFQ), not a Request for Proposals.

A selection panel composed of representatives from LCG and community stakeholders, as facilitated by Basin Arts, will review submissions.

Based on qualifications, up to three finalists will be invited to develop site-specific concepts.

Each finalist will receive a design stipend of $1000 to prepare conceptual renderings and budgets. 

Applications will be scored on the following criteria:

• Aesthetics: Alignment with the community and project vision.
• Experience: Demonstrated ability to complete murals of similar scope, scale, and complexity.
• Feasibility: Understanding project objectives, budget, and timeline.
• Materials: Safe and durable for a public setting.
• Availability: Ability to complete installation between September and December 2026. Artists should be available to work in a concentrated manner over a 3-4 week period.

This opportunity is open to professional artists or artist teams with demonstrated experience in large-scale mural design and installation. Artists must be 18 years of age or older. Preference may be given to artists with a connection to Lafayette or the Acadiana region. 

If selected for this project, the artist will need to meet the following insurance qualifications:

General Liability - $1,000,000
Workers’ Comp - $1,000,000
Auto Liability - $500,000