Art Curator

Location: MN — Twin Cities Metro
Type: RFP / RFQs
Categories:
Arts Administration

Deadline: 06/13/2025

Apply

Founded in 1982, Simpson Housing Services (Simpson) is a Minneapolis-based nonprofit that partners with people experiencing and transitioning out of homelessness. Programs include an extended stay shelter, which supports more than 300 adults individuals per year; supportive housing programs for more than 600 households per year including single adults, youth, and families; and developmental and educational services for children. In FY2024, 1503 individuals were assisted in Simpson’s shelter and housing programs.

Simpson’s mission is to house, support, and empower people impacted by homelessness.

Core values:
• We believe that everyone has the right to safe and affordable housing.
• Racism is a key cause of homelessness; therefore, we work to dismantle racism on individual, organizational, and systemic levels.
• We honor the inherent strengths and dignity of each person and promote the power of self-determination.
• We are driven by compassion and accountability as we build authentic relationships to strengthen our community.

In December 2025, Simpson is opening the Simpson Community Shelter & Apartments, a new, innovative facility which will provide shelter for 72 individuals along with 42 units of deeply affordable housing for people transitioning out of homelessness. Located on the legacy site of Simpson’s shelter at 2740 1st Avenue South in the Whittier Neighborhood of Minneapolis, the project incorporates a shelter model designed to improve service delivery and outcomes for shelter guests. Relying on trauma-informed design principles with significant input from staff, volunteers, and current and former shelter guests, it is meant to be a reproducible model that takes a holistic approach to partnering with people experiencing homelessness at a scale that is therapeutic, allows for the development of community, and provides a path to stability.

To celebrate this milestone and visually reflect the values of home, hope, healing, and community, Simpson seeks proposals from an artist or organization to run the RFP process curating art for the new facility.

Project Overview and Scope of Work
• Develop an art acquisition strategy, create an RFP for artists, and proactively engage the regional artist community to receive proposals.
• Emphasis on reaching art communities representative of the shelter community.
• Evaluate RFP proposals and provide initial guidance on art selection.
• Engage Simpson team in all aspects of art curation, Simpson team to make final decisions regarding art selections. Ensure artworks align with the building’s design and purpose, and Simpson Housing Services’ values.
• Work with the selected artist(s) and Simpson team for community engagement to craft the final art plan.
• Gather insurance certificates from all artists.
• Get W9 and detailed invoices.
• Develop safety protocols for art installation.
• Act as the liaison with the artists before and during installation.
• Inspect art for quality, completeness, and proper installation that does not interfere with ADA and other accessibility laws.
• Gather documents necessary for art care, warranty, and insurance purposes.
• Coordinate with the Simpson team for the Open House and unveiling of the installed art.

Simpson Responsibilities
• Ensure that anyone paid by the agency has not been debarred.
• Payment to artists: Half in advance, remainder upon completion and inspection.
• Engagement and decision making.

Type of Art to be Requested:
1. An original 3D exterior sculpture on the corner of 28th Street West and 1st Avenue South.
2. An original visual artwork composed of vinyl clings on 3-story tall windows on 1st Avenue side of the building.
3. An original artwork or collection of artworks for an interior hallway approximately 20’ long.
4. Procure printed artwork reproductions for common areas of the building that are consistent with the building’s aesthetic and organizational values. Common areas include 2 lounges, 1 small meeting room, 1 medium sized medium room, a volunteer room, and hallways.

Curator Eligibility and Proposal Requirements
• Open to local and/or regional individuals or organizations.
• Prior experience in community-centered public art is strongly preferred.
• Proven project management and communication skills are important.

Timeline
• Art Curator RFP Deadline: Friday, June 13, 2025
• Art Installation: November/December 2025
• Unveiling Celebration: Spring 2026

Budget
Simpson’s total budget for the original art and art curation is approximately $100,000

Submission Instructions
Please submit a proposal containing the following information:
• Individual/Team biography and relevant experience, including experience with community engagement (max 2 pages)
• Statement of interest (max 2 pages)
• Two references
• Approximate budget request

Submit your proposal by June 13, 2025
To: Wendy Wiegmann
Email: wwiegmann@simpsonhouising.org
Subject Line: Simpson Community Shelter and Apartments Proposal – [Your Name]
Questions may be directed to Wendy Wiegmann

Additional Information
• Simpson will retain promotional rights (photography, communications) while the artist retains creative credit.
• The final design must be approved by Simpson Housing Services before installation.
• We are committed to accessibility and equity throughout this process.
• For more information on the Simpson Community Shelter and Apartments, please visit our website at www.simpsonhousing.org