City of Fairhope, Alabama Public Art Sculpture RFQ

The picturesque coastal City of Fairhope, Alabama is planning two high-profile public sculpture projects.  Qualified artists are sought to apply for consideration to be invited to participate in the Request for Proposal process for the two sculptures. This call serves as Phase 1 of the project as a Request for Credentials (RFQ).

The City of Fairhope, Alabama is seeking qualified artists to submit credentials for the creation of two distinct, high-profile public sculpture projects. Leading this call is the Committee on Public Art, a committee of the 501c3 nonprofit Eastern Shore Art Association, Inc. This call serves as the initial Request for Credentials (RFQ). 

Fairhope is a picturesque coastal town on Alabama’s Mobile Bay. It is renowned for its charming downtown, flower-lined streets, and scenic bay views. Fairhope offers panoramic views of the bay from the bay front parks and piers, its bluffs, and promenades. Offering a relaxed coastal lifestyle, the city is characterized by unique boutiques, art galleries, cafes, and bookstores. It is considered a haven for artists and writers, and has a history of supporting artists with public art sculptures throughout the town. Fairhope is proud of its welcoming spirit and blends a relaxed coastal lifestyle with historic charm. Residents and visitors enjoy a coastal environment known to be one of the most biodiverse in the world.

Sculpture #1, located at the roundabout intersection of Veterans Dr, Scenic 98, Hwy 104 and Section St, adjacent to the Nature Preserve Park and the Flower Clock, will serves as the northern gateway to the City downtown district.

Sculpture #2, located at the roundabout intersection of Hwy 13 and Hwy 32, with close proximity to the Fairhope Airport, Sports Complex, and surrounded by agriculture, will serve as a southern and eastern gateway to the City.

Scope of Work

Artists are asked to submit examples of past work that demonstrate artistic merit, technical ability, and experience with large-scale or comparable projects. Initial applications will be reviewed by a stakeholder panel that includes representatives of the City of Fairhope and the Committee on Public Art, a committee of the 501c3 nonprofit Eastern Shore Art Center in Fairhope.

The total artist budget for Sculpture #1 is $100,000 - $125,000. The budget for Sculpture #2 is $75,000-$100,000. These budgets are inclusive of all artist-related costs. The budget must cover all aspects of the artist’s scope of work, including design, materials, fabrication, installation of sculpture, protective coatings, insurance, travel, and any other project-related expenses.

This RFQ is for review of qualifications only. Artists are not asked to submit concepts at this stage.

Semifinalists (5 for each project) selected to participate in the Request for Proposal (RFP) will receive a $500 stipend to develop detailed conceptual proposals. Semifinalists will receive the detailed RFP and will have the opportunity to question stakeholders and receive input related to the site, building context, and community considerations to prepare their detailed proposal.

Finalists (2 for each project) selected will each receive a $1000 stipend to create a detailed maquette of the sculpture and provide further scope of work details and a final, comprehensive budget.

Applicants must submit all materials through CaFÉ (callforentry.org). Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Applications must include:

Letter of Interest (1–2 pages) Describe your artistic background, interest in this project, and your approach to public art. Describing your interest in this specific project, your knowledge of the area or community, and what this opportunity means to you.

Artist Statement  Describe your personal artistic approach. Your narrative should be written authentically and reflect your voice as an artist.

Professional Résumé  For artist team applicants, include all key members of the team.

Work Samples  Submit 8-10 images of completed relevant works, particularly including examples of large-scale public sculpture.

Include title, materials, dimensions, date, and project budget. 

NOTE: Design proposals are not required at this stage.  

This Call for Artists is open to:

•          Professional artists or artist teams residing in the states of Alabama, Mississippi or Florida with demonstrated experience completing comparable public sculpture projects.

•          Artists formerly local to the Mobile Bay Area that demonstrate a strong, familiar, and meaningful connection to the Alabama coastal region will also be considered.

•          Artists must legally be able to work in the United States.