Historically Black Public Mural Park Artists Commission RFQ

Location: MN — Twin Cities Metro
Type: Call for Submissions
Categories:
Public Art

Deadline: 03/10/2025

Apply

PROJECT: Historically Black Public Mural Park Artists Commission RFQ
ISSUE DATE: Wednesday, February 5th, 2025
DEADLINE: Monday, March 10th, 2025, no later than 11:59 pm CT.
ARTIST FEE: $4,000 per artists (materials included)
COMMISSIONS AVAILABLE: up to 4 (open to artist teams)

RONDO CLT BACKGROUND
Rondo Community Land Trust (CLT) is a community based affordable housing and commercial land trust operating in St. Paul and Suburban Ramsey County. Rondo CLT builds community wealth and neighborhood stability through the development and stewardship of permanently affordable homeownership opportunities, rental housing, commercial space, and other community assets. Learn more about the Rondo Community Land Trust at: rondoCLT.org

RONDO NEIGHBORHOOD BACKGROUND
Gaining our name (Rondo CLT) from St. Paul’s historic Rondo neighborhood, our origins and ethos are tethered to the widespread impacts of our communities’ mass displacement following the construction of I-94 from St. Paul to Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Rondo neighborhood was a thriving and predominantly African American community in the mid-20th century, known for its cultural vibrancy, tight-knit relationships, and flourishing businesses. The Rondo neighborhood was a place where Black families and individuals could find relative stability, cultural connection, and opportunity during a time when systemic racism limited housing and economic options elsewhere in the Twin Cities.

The construction of interstate highway 94, beginning in the late 1950’s and cut the Rondo neighborhood in half lengthwise, east to west. I-94 resulted in the destruction of over 700 homes and 300 businesses in the Rondo neighborhood. Families were forcibly displaced, often receiving inadequate compensation for their properties. Dozens of commercial establishments that once thrived in the Rondo neighborhood hadn’t survived the freeway construction and is a big reason as to why organizations like Rondo CLT exist. Despite this injustice and many more like it (Memphis V. Greene – African American citizens objected to an interstate highway that was to be placed between Black and White neighborhoods). Rondo alumni often report that growing up in Rondo was in some ways wonderful – that the result of being forced together was a self-contained, self-sustaining, tight-knit community where people worked hard, fought injustice and looked out for each other. The Rondo neighborhood’s history is a poignant reminder of the deep injustices Black communities have faced and their resilience in the face of systemic harm. It also serves as a call to action for more equitable city planning and reparative justice. To view images of the historical Rondo Neighborhood and the placement of Interstate I94 visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rondo_neighborhood

HISTORICALLY BLACK
The Rondo Community Land Trust (CLT) and the Office of Cultural Work (OCW) are committed to ensuring that this project is deeply rooted in authenticity and historical context by exclusively seeking historically Black artists. A “historically Black artist” is defined as a Black individual who is a descendant of African people kidnapped and subjected to chattel enslavement in the Americas. This ancestry-based eligibility criterion underscores the importance of selecting artists who embody a direct connection to the history and culture being celebrated, amplifying the voices of those whose stories resonate with the Rondo community’s past and present. The mural will not only serve as a vibrant artistic expression but also as a means of storytelling and healing, fostering a deeper understanding of the struggles and triumphs of Black Americans.

PROJECT OVERVIEW
The Office of Cultural Work (OCW) is an arts management consultant based in St. Paul, Minnesota. As a partner to artists, community-centered nonprofits, and aligned housing developers, we provide essential support to lift up and embrace the power of culture building. In collaboration with the Rondo Community Land Trust (Rondo CLT), OCW aims to bring murals and community engagement to the Selby Avenue corridor, paying tribute to the Rondo community’s enduring legacy. Through the lens of Black history and experiences, these projects will honor the resilience, creativity, and contributions that define Rondo’s rich African American heritage. OCW seeks artists to honor the stories, struggles, and triumphs of Rondo’s history, creating a lasting tribute to its cultural legacy.

The OCW team will be facilitating the curation and commissioning process for the creation of up to four murals to be installed at a public mural park in the Rondo neighborhood. Artists are expected to live paint and complete their murals over the course of the 2 day event taking place July 12th-13th. These murals will be part of the Arts and Cultural Corridor debut and event. The goal of the selection process is to engage historically Black artists or artist teams with a strong background in public art.

OCW and Rondo CLT aim to create artwork that authentically represents the cultural pride, historical significance, and aspirations of Rondo’s residents. This process will include public engagement to ensure the murals reflect the collective spirit of the community, transforming the public mural park into a dynamic space that celebrates the history, culture, and future of Rondo.

BUDGET
$4,000 (Per artists) (Up to 4 artists will be selected)
This not-to-exceed fee covers artist time, materials, installation, and any required engineering and/or other costs associated with the project.

ELIGIBILITY
This RFQ is open to established / late career artists or artist teams who live within the geographical boundaries of Minnesota.
What is an established/late career artist? Established artists are recognized by their peers and arts professionals nationally or internationally, have produced an independent body of work and have a record of commissions, projects, or exhibitions.

Applicants must be 18 years or older and have proven experience with public art and public engagement. The OCW and Rondo CLT team will select artists without regard to sexual orientation or gender identity; familial, marital status, or pregnancy; guide dog or support animal; race, color, religion, ancestry, or national origin; gender, age; handicap or disability; possession of GED.

ARTWORK SITE
The artwork site will be located at the intersection of Grotto Street and Selby Avenue in St. Paul, situated on an empty grass patch of land as indicated in the images below titled “artwork site”. Artists are expected to live paint and complete their murals over the course of the 2 day event taking place July 12th-13th. This space will be activated during the Arts and Cultural Corridor debut. Artists are expected to paint and complete their artworks/boards over the course of the two-day event, allowing the community to witness the creative process in real-time. The Rondo CLT and OCW team envision this site as a vibrant hub for creativity and community engagement. Artists should take into account the open nature of the space when designing their pieces, ensuring that the work is suitable for outdoor display and complements the cultural significance of the Rondo neighborhood. Further details about the site and installation parameters will be provided.

ARTWORK SITE IMAGES
Located at 739 Selby ave in St. Paul, MN

IN PERSON SITE VISIT AND Q & A
Artists who receive this RFQ will be expected to attend an in-person site visit to familiarize themselves with the location setup and get a first look at the 8×6 foot boards they will be painting as part of the Arts and Cultural Corridor debut. A site visit will be held the week of July 7th, at 10:00am CT, in person. Attendance is encouraged. We encourage all attending artists or artist teams to come prepared with questions regarding site-related details and/or any other project considerations.

SELECTION PROCESS AND CRITERIA
Submissions will be pre-screened to ensure all applicants meet eligibility requirements. The Rondo CLT and OCW team will review eligible applications, and our team will select four awardees to participate in the Public Mural Park. These awardees will be chosen based on the following criteria:
Letter of Interest: The quality, clarity, thoughtfulness, and alignment with the project’s background expressed in the artist’s letter of interest.

Connection to the Rondo Community: The artist should demonstrate a genuine understanding of and connection to the historical Rondo community in St. Paul. The artists should show their dedication to researching and learning more about the History and context of the neighborhood and use their data to inform their design process, while ensuring their final designs reflect the voices, experiences and history of the communities located within Rondo. This should be expressed in their letter of interest.

Portfolio Work Samples: Evaluation of the artist’s portfolio to assess the technical skill, innovation, and aesthetic appeal of their previous work. Work samples should demonstrate the artist’s professional experience working on public art projects of a similar scope and commission.

Management and Execution Capability: This focuses on the artist’s practical ability to deliver the project, including their professional experience, organizational skills, access to necessary resources, and past success in completing similar projects on time and within budget. It’s about assessing their overall capacity to handle the scope and logistics of the commission. This should be written into the artist’s letter of interest. This should be shown in your CV or resume (you can additionally reiterate this in your letter of interest).

DESIGN CONCEPTS (FOR SELECTED AWARDEE’S) MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
A design concept that embodies a welcoming into Rondo and honoring of the Historic Black community as a theme which is approachable, fostering a sense of inclusivity, belonging and accessibility for both visitors and residents.
An artwork that considers the context of the Rondo Community Land Trust mission and its connection to the Rondo neighborhood.
An artwork that highlights, honors and reflects the unique character of the Historic Rondo neighborhood, Black experiences and African American heritage.
An artwork that captivates attention and sparks ongoing interest for the Rondo neighborhood’s future, with the spirit of Sankofa.
An artwork that establishes a tangible connection between the building, public space and the Selby Avenue corridor, ensuring cohesion and avoiding visual clutter.
An artwork that serves as a catalyst for community identity, potentially becoming a cherished neighborhood landmark and photo opportunity.
An artwork that is impactful and requires minimal upkeep to ensure long-term enjoyment and preservation.

TIMELINE
February 7th, 2025: Artist call opens
March 10th, 2025: Artist call closes, at 11:59 pm CT.
Week of March 24th, 2025: Rondo CLT and OCW team will review submissions and vote on four awardees. Four awardees will be notified
May – Beginning of June 2025: Artists begin research and ideating design concepts
Late June, 2025: Artists submit preliminary design concepts to Rondo CLT and OCW team for final review and approval
The week of July 7th, 2025: In person Site visit and Q&A at 10am CT.
July 12th-13th, 2025: Mural are live painted during Rondo art and cultural corridor activation event
Disclaimer: The timeline provided is contingent upon the number of submissions received for the artist call. Any adjustments to the timeline may occur based on the volume of submissions and the subsequent review process. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility in this matter.

HOW TO SUBMIT
Individuals or teams are asked to submit the following below materials, combined into a single PDF document to the Rondo CLT and OCW team at: office@officeofculturalwork.org

1. Letter of Interest: Submit a letter expressing your interest in the project, outlining your design approach and connection to historical Black and the Rondo community. Provide your contact information. The letter should not exceed 300 words.

Note: 300 words typically constitute about half a page of typed text, assuming standard formatting (such as 12-point Times New Roman font and 1-inch margins).

2. Statement of Qualifications and Work Samples: Include information about your qualifications and experience in public art (this can be reiterated in your letter of interest). Examples include a resume or CV. Provide up to 10 work samples from previous and recent projects that demonstrate your expertise and experience working on projects of a similar scope. Individuals and teams are limited to a maximum of 10 images. Include all images and label each with your full name, followed by a number corresponding to the list of work samples. PDF portfolios are acceptable within the limitations above.

3. Work Sample List: Prepare a one-page listing of each work sample, providing a brief description and budget for each. For example: work sample 1, description, budget and so on. This list should correspond to the images submitted as part of your statement of qualifications and work samples or be included within a PDF portfolio of work samples.

4. References: Provide a list of three references (name, title, email & phone number).

Ensure all materials are clearly labeled and submitted according to the specified guidelines.

NOTE: Do not submit a proposal for artworks at this time.
If you need clarification or further information, contact the Rondo CLT and OCW team at office@officeofculturalwork.org

Deadline: Monday, March 10th, 2025, at 11:59 pm CT.
Late applications will not be considered.