City of Wichita O.J. Watson Park Seasons Venue Sculpture RFQ

The City of Wichita invites professional artists and artist teams with a demonstrated history of completing complex, permanent, outdoor public art projects to submit their qualifications for a $45,000 public art commission for the O.J. Watson Park Seasons Venue. The start of this project is scheduled to begin in Fall of 2026. It is anticipated that the installation of the art will be completed in Fall of 2027. Emerging artists are encouraged to apply.

Introduction

The City of Wichita invites professional artists and artist teams with a demonstrated history of completing complex, permanent, outdoor public art projects to submit their qualifications for a $45,000 public art commission for O.J. Watson Park. The start of this project is scheduled to begin in Fall of 2026. It is anticipated that the installation of the art will be completed in Fall of 2027. Emerging artists are encouraged to apply.

O.J. Watson Park Background

O.J. Watson Park is one of Wichita’s most beloved and heavily visited public parks, encompassing approximately 119 acres along the Arkansas River corridor in south Wichita. Originally developed from a former sand pit, the park has evolved into a regional destination that combines natural landscapes, recreational amenities, and community gathering spaces. The park features a large central lake, mature trees, open lawns, fishing areas, playgrounds, picnic shelters, and an extensive network of walking paths. Family-oriented attractions—including a miniature train, pedal boats, miniature golf, pony rides, volleyball courts, and seasonal events—draw visitors of all ages throughout the year.

As a destination for recreation, celebrations, and outdoor experiences, O.J. Watson Park welcomes a diverse audience that includes families, tourists, event attendees, recreational users, and community organizations. The park’s blend of natural beauty, active programming, and year-round visitation offers a unique opportunity for a landmark sculpture that can serve as a visual destination, create memorable visitor experiences, and strengthen the park’s identity as one of Wichita’s premier public gathering places.

Art Goals or Criteria

The City of Wichita seeks an artist or artist team to create a signature public artwork that serves as an iconic landmark for O.J. Watson Park and Seasons Venue. The artwork should establish a memorable sense of place, celebrate the spirit of gathering and recreation, and create a lasting visual identity for one of Wichita's most beloved destinations.

The selected artwork should be bold, welcoming, and highly visible, capable of becoming a recognizable symbol for the park and venue while enhancing the visitor experience. Artists are encouraged to consider how the work can engage diverse audiences, inspire curiosity and discovery, and create opportunities for interaction, reflection, and photography.

The artwork should respond thoughtfully to the site's natural setting, recreational character, and role as a destination for celebrations, family activities, and community events. While artists are not expected to illustrate specific themes or histories, proposals should demonstrate an understanding of the unique qualities of the site and create a compelling landmark that resonates with residents and visitors alike.

The City welcomes innovative and durable artistic approaches that contribute to the long-term cultural identity of O.J. Watson Park and Seasons Venue, creating a destination artwork that will be enjoyed for generations.

Artwork Location: Seasons Venue

Seasons Venue is a contemporary event facility located within O.J. Watson Park. Designed as a year-round destination for weddings, celebrations, corporate events, and community gatherings, the venue accommodates up to 100 guests and features a modern rustic aesthetic that complements the surrounding park landscape. Large floor-to-ceiling windows provide expansive views of the park’s lake, trees, and recreational amenities, creating a strong visual connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.

The venue serves a wide range of visitors celebrating significant life events, from weddings and anniversaries to business meetings and community functions. Its setting at the heart of one of Wichita’s most popular parks offers artists an opportunity to create a sculpture that enhances the arrival experience, serves as a recognizable landmark and gathering point, and reflects themes of connection, celebration, nature, and community. The artwork should complement the venue’s architecture while engaging visitors throughout the year and across a variety of public and private events. For more information on the Seasons Venue click here.

Site Location

The park is located at 3022 S McLean, Wichita, KS 67217. The Seasons Venue is located on the west side of the park adjacent to the lake.

Final artwork location will be located on the grounds of the Seasons Venue, with the precise location determined in consultation with the artist and project team. 

Project Budget

ART BUDGET: $45,000

The art budget is inclusive of all costs and fees for the artist to execute the project from design through structural engineering, fabrication, site preparation, transportation/delivery, and installation to the site. Installation, structural engineering, site preparation, and delivery will be coordinated with the project team.

Design Proposal Fee

Finalists will be paid $1,000 to develop proposals.

Project Timeline

• RFQ open via CAFE̒ online application system: 07/20/2026
• Artists questions due: 08/07/2026, 4:00 p.m. CDT
• Qualifications due: 08/17/2026, 11:59 p.m. CDT
• Review of qualifications: 08/24/2026 – 09/04/2026
• Notification of finalists: 09/11/2026
• Finalist concept proposals due: 10/12/2026, 4:00 p.m. CDT
• Review of proposals: 10/13/2026-10/23/2026
• Notification of award: 10/28/2026
• Installation: Fall 2027

*All dates are approximate and subject to change.

Selection Process

Applicants will be reviewed and ranked by a selection committee comprised of City staff and relevant stakeholders.  Interviews are not anticipated to be a part of the selection process but may be used to in the event of a narrow margin between rankings. 

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

Questions

All inquiries should be emailed to Ranim Abiali at rabiali@wichita.gov by 08/07/2026, 4:00 p.m. CDT.

Each artist or artist team must submit an entirely digital application via CaFÉ (callforentry.org). Incomplete applications will not be considered.

1. Six (6) to ten (10) total images of past 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, may also be submitted, but is not required.

3. A one (1) page Letter of Interest (LOI) stating why this opportunity is meaningful and appropriate for the applicant’s work, as well as potential approach to this project. 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.

4. Resume or CV not to exceed 2 pages. If applying as an artist team, provide a resume/CV for each team member and a list of key team members and their roles/affiliations in one PDF.

5. Three (3) professional references.

Professional artists living and working in the United States are eligible to apply. The City of Wichita has many local firms that can assist with the development, fabrication, and installation of the artwork. The committee prefers to have local firms involved in the project 
when possible and will give preference to artists who plan to utilize these local resources. This could include:

• Engineers for developing stamp drawings
• Concrete firms for pouring footers
• Fabricators
• Installation crews
• Lighting specialists
• Landscape architects

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.