2nd Street Corridor Public Art Project - Wichita, KS

GFT Infrastructure, Inc., Landworks Studio, and the City of Wichita invite artists and artist teams with a demonstrated history of completing complex, permanent, outdoor public art projects (and/or other relevant experiences) to submit qualifications for the design, fabrication, and installation of interactive public artwork along 2nd Street North, between Main Street and St. Francis Avenue in Downtown Wichita. This project seeks to activate the corridor with innovative, engaging, and sensory-rich public art that may incorporate sound and/or light elements. The public art budget is $175,000. The project will complement and support adjacent development cohesively and seamlessly, creating opportunities for public art to enhance the experience of drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

This initiative is part of Wichita’s broader vision to foster creative placemaking and enhance the public realm through integrated, site-responsive public art.
 

INTRODUCTION

This initiative is part of Wichita’s broader vision to foster creative placemaking and enhance the public realm through integrated, site-responsive public art.

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.

BUDGET

The total budget for public art is $175,000. The proposed artwork commission includes all costs and fees for the artist to execute the project from design through structural engineering, fabrication, site preparation, and transportation/delivery to the site. Installation, structural engineering, site preparation, and delivery will be managed by GFT Infrastructure, Inc. and coordinated with the project construction team. Electricity will need to be coordinated with the design team to be made available.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The selected artist(s) will collaborate with GFT Infrastructure, Inc. (Engineering), Landworks Studio (Landscape Architecture), and the City of Wichita to conceptualize, design, fabricate, and install engaging, site-specific, permanent public art installation(s) at one or more identified locations along 2nd Street North between Main Street and St. Francis Avenue. This commission involves the creation of new, integrated artwork(s) that enhances the functionality and aesthetics of the designated areas. Each new commission should engage the general public and host one changing, perceived changing, or interactive element.The project encompasses the following:

 Design-team collaboration: The artist(s) will work closely with GFT Infrastructure, Inc., Landworks Studio, and the City of Wichita to ensure the seamless integration of the artworks into the overall design scheme of the project.

 Commission of new work(s): The project entails the creation of original, site-specific artworks that respond to the unique context and character of the location.

 Integrated art: The artworks will be thoughtfully integrated into the existing and proposed infrastructure and landscape, enhancing the functionality and visual appeal of the spaces.

The project will be overseen by the City of Wichita’s Design Council, which will provide guidance and feedback throughout the design phase. The City of Wichita, GFT Infrastructure, Inc., and Landworks Studio will manage and oversee both the design and implementation phase. All parties are committed to ensuring that the selected artworks reflect the community's values and aspirations, contributing to a vibrant and engaging public realm along this downtown thoroughfare.

CULTURAL CONTEXT

 The 2nd Street North corridor is emerging as a hub for music industry startups and creative development, making it a natural canvas for sound and light-based public art. The area is also home to Somewhere Fest, an annual multi-day music and arts event that draws over 15,000 attendees, transforming the district into a vibrant cultural destination. See this link for more information:  Somewhere Fest & Conference | Things to do in Wichita, KS

Artists are encouraged to consider how their work can reflect and amplify this creative energy, contributing to the district’s identity as a center for innovation, performance, and public engagement.

SITE CONTEXT

2nd Street North is a key westbound corridor in Downtown Wichita, connecting civic, cultural, and commercial destinations. The project area includes future multi-family housing and many established existing businesses. This latest project improves sidewalks for multi-use, pedestrian crossings, tree replacements and offers opportunities for both vertical and ground-level installations. Artists should consider how their work can activate the streetscape and engage users during both day and night.

While the entire corridor is open for consideration by artists, the intersection of 2nd Street and Emporia Ave. has been identified by the city and design team as having the greatest opportunity for engaging art compatible with future business development and fewer conflicts. The rendering below illustrates the current intersection with the proposed infrastructure improvements. Although brick is not currently proposed at this intersection, it is the desire of the design team to work with an artist on creative ways to maximize the art’s budget and expand its influence on the site.

2nd Street looking east at Emporia Ave.

SELECTION PROCESS

A selection panel consisting of representatives from the City of Wichita, GFT Infrastructure, Inc., Landworks Studio, and community stakeholders will review all submissions. A total of 3-6 finalists will be selected to respond to an RFP and develop proposals. Finalists will be invited to participate in virtual interviews. The final selection will be based on the criteria outlined below.

Finalists will be awarded a $1,000 stipend for their proposal efforts.

The successful artist or collaborator will work with the City’s design team, including engineers and landscape architects, for input and refinement throughout design development.  This will allow the design team to provide creative site solutions within their scope of work, influenced by the selected artist’s proposal.  The selected artist is expected to provide regular updates to the team on their progress through the fabrication and installation process. Presentations to the City’s Design Council can be expected at the concept and final stages of design.  These presentations can be made virtually. 

SELECTION CRITERIA

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

 Artistic excellence: demonstrated vision, professional process and presentation, and quality craftsmanship in examples of past work; examples provided should be relevant to how the artist will approach this public art opportunity.

 Creative process: examples of past work should illustrate the artist(s) unique approach to their artistic design process; examples provided should be relevant to how the artist will approach this public art opportunity and demonstrate a pragmatic approach to project development and installation.

 Ability: demonstrated experience with artistic medium and fabrication (or management of fabrication and production) and executing large-scale outdoor artwork (or other relevant experience), effective communication strategies including updates with all key stakeholders, delivering contractual milestones, and managing allocated budgets in a timely fashion.

 Meaningful relationship with the creative and conceptual aspects of their artistic process and the purpose of this project as expressed in the Letter of Interest (LOI).

GOALS, CRITERIA AND CONSIDERATIONS

The artwork should:

• Create a sense of place that reflects the cultural vibrancy and creative momentum of the 2nd Street corridor.
• Encourage public interaction through responsive or participatory elements that may involve sound and/or light.
• Enhance pedestrian and driver experience with artwork that is either freestanding or integrated into sidewalks or pedestrian infrastructure.
• Ensure durability and safety in a high-traffic urban environment.
• Celebrate the area’s music and arts culture, especially its connection to Somewhere Fest, previously Elsewhere Fest, and creative industries.

PROJECT TIMELINE

**All dates are approximate and subject to change.

 RFQ open via online application system: December 5, 2025

Artist questions due: December 19, 2025

Qualifications due: January 5, 2026, 11:59 pm CST

Review of qualifications: January 7-14, 2026

Notification of finalists and RFP distributed: January 16, 2026

Finalists’ design proposals due: February 27, 2026

Finalists’ presentations/ interviews: Week of March 2-6, 2026

Final artist(s) selection: March 10, 2026

Contract: April 7, 2026

Estimated Installation: Early 2028

SUBMITTAL CONTENT

Each artist or artist tram must submit an entirely digital application.  Please submit the following information:

Each artist or artist team must submit an entirely digital application.

1. Six (6) to ten (10) total images of past large-scale public art (or other relevant projects) and infrastructure projects by the artist or artist team’s lead artist(s).
2. Optional: One (1) video, edited to no more than two (2) minutes in length.
3. Annotated Image List: An annotated image list that includes the title, media, year completed, dimensions, location, project budget, timeline, and client or commissioning entity for each corresponding image.
   1. 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.
   2. Image annotations may include very brief descriptions of how the image illustrates one or more of the selection criteria.
   3. If a video is submitted, please include two to three (2-3) sentences to describe its context. 
4. A one (1) page Letter of Interest (LOI) stating why the 2nd Street N. Public Art opportunity is meaningful and appropriate for the applicant’s work, as well as potential approach to this project. In this letter, please outline what area/location you are most interested in and why.  If the artist does not have a demonstrated history of public art, please share your ability to conceptualize, communicate and support the delivery of a public artwork.
5. A resume or curriculum vitae (CV) (not to exceed 2 pages).
   1. 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.
6. Three (3) professional references

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

ARTIST ELIGIBILITY

The 2nd Street North Public Art Project welcomes submissions from artist and artist teams based nationally. The project encourages participation from artists with:

●        A demonstrated history of completing complex, permanent, outdoor public art projects of comparable budget, scale, and scope (and/or the ability to conceptualize, communicate and support the delivery of a public artwork).

●        A strong understanding of public art considerations including materials, fabrication, installation, maintenance, and public safety.

●        A demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with communities, stakeholders, and project teams.

●        A commitment to creating engaging, inclusive and accessible artwork.

 The City of Wichita boasts a vibrant arts community and numerous local firms capable of assisting with the development, fabrication, and installation of public art. The selection committee values local involvement and will give preference to artists who demonstrate a plan to utilize these local resources, which may include:

●        Engineers for developing stamp drawings

●        Concrete firms for pouring footers

●        Fabricators

●        Installation crews

●        Lighting specialists

●        Landscape architects 

The City of Wichita is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment. 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.