Project Overview

The City of Merriam’s Public Art Committee is seeking qualifications from professional artists or artist teams for a public art project on the Merriam Community Center campus in Merriam, Kansas. This project aims to beautify and transform the entrance to this public space from the parking structure, specifically on the exterior stairs and/or interior stairwell. Both locations are ripe with opportunity to create a more welcoming and memorable moment at this popular community destination. 
 

About Merriam

Merriam, Kansas, is both bustling and serene. Occupying a four-square-mile sliver of northeast Johnson County, it is one of many communities comprising the Kansas City metropolitan area. Located along I-35 just eight miles south of downtown Kansas City, Merriam is a welcoming, peaceful, tight-knit community that is small in size, but big at heart. 

Our residents enjoy a wide variety of amenities and services including beautiful tree-lined streets, walking trails, plentiful parks, public art, and abundant community events. With affordable housing in safe neighborhoods, an award-winning school district, and our convenient location, Merriam is the ideal community to call home.

Project Goals

The project should foster place-based pride, engage residents and visitors, draw attention to and beautify public space, and position Merriam as a vibrant community supportive of arts and culture. 

Desired placemaking outcome(s): 

• Engagement – Enhance our community’s vibrancy and quality of life by inviting people to engage with art as learners, collaborators, or explorers.
• City Identity – Welcome visitors to our campus
• Health and Safety – Encourage pedestrian exploration, crosswalk safety, and calm traffic.
• Creative Class – Highly visible project that represents values and makes Merriam known for the arts.

Artists are encouraged to review Merriam’s Public Art and Placemaking Master Plan to learn more about the placemaking goals and the themes for artwork preferred by the community. For more information about the City of Merriam and our public art program, visit merriam.org/publicart.

Site

The parking structure for the Merriam Community Center (6040 Slater St., Merriam, KS  66202) and Merriam Plaza Library includes two sets of stairs; an interior stairwell and exterior stairs adjacent to crosswalks. Artist improvements to either or both the exterior stairs and interior stairwell at the parking structure are desired. 

The Merriam Community Center opened in 2020 and includes an art gallery, fitness center, gymnasium, meeting and event space, and indoor and outdoor pools. Merriam Plaza Library opened in 2024 and offers books, computers, storytime, meeting and study spaces, and a convenient drive-thru. The library also features a green roof, and the campus entrance includes native plantings. The courtyard between the buildings is filled with outdoor seating to enjoy this public space. 

Specifications

View the Merriam Community Center Campus Site Information for photos, measurements, and plans. 

Artists are not required to use every wall or surface. Artists can choose to utilize steps, railings, or adjacent surroundings. Artwork must be building code compliant. Measurements are approximate. The awarded finalist will be responsible for making their own measurements.

Artists must consider long-term conservation and maintenance of public art. This project is in a public space and will be exposed to physical stresses and potential vandalism. If paint is used, the artwork should be fabricated of highly durable exterior-grade paint. An anti-graffiti coating will be required. Paint on the ground should be slip-resistant.

Budget

$50,000

The budget for this project is $50,000. The final artist/team selected is responsible for using this contract amount for all costs associated with the project, including, but not limited to: the artist's design fee, artist's assistant costs, other consultation fees, insurance, tools, equipment, materials, supplies, fabrication, transportation, installation, travel to and from the site, per diem expenses, project documentation, a contingency to cover unexpected expenses, and any other costs. The selected artist and any subcontractors they use will be required to have insurance. The amount and type may vary depending on the nature of the proposal.
 

Schedule

All dates except the submission deadline are approximate and subject to change.

Jan. 2: Call for Artists / Request for Qualifications Deadline

February: Select semi-finalists

March: Site visit / briefing session with semi-finalists

April: Semi-finalist presentations/interviews; Select final artist

Application Requirements

Artists or artist teams interested in this project are not being asked to develop a specific proposal at this time. Interested artists should submit the following materials:

1. Artist Statement / Letter of Interest: A brief statement (no more than two pages) outlining your interest in and vision for this project; relevant experience including past public art projects or collaboration with municipal governments; and your conceptual approach to public art.
2. Resume/CV
3. Portfolio: Up to 10 images of previous work, with an annotated image list including title, date, medium, dimensions, location, and project budget.
4. References: Contact information for at least three professional references who can speak to your qualifications and past work experience.

Artist teams should submit one Letter of Interest, a resume for each artist, an artist statement for each artist plus a combined statement, 10 images total, at least one reference per artist. 

Selection Process

Merriam’s Public Art Committee will review the submitted qualifications. The committee will evaluate submissions based on the following criteria:

• Artistic excellence and innovation of portfolio
• Demonstrated experience and professional qualifications
• References and past performance

Up to three semi-finalists will be invited to develop a site-specific proposal for the project and asked to present at an interview. A stipend of $1,000 will be provided for this work. The $1,000 is not included within the project budget. Proposals must include:

• An introduction and big picture overview of your proposal concept and how it will enhance a visitor's experience at the site.
• Detailed images and descriptions of major elements of your initial design. These may consist of working drawings, video animations, maquettes, etc.
• A refined budget and project timeline
• Long-term care requirements. How will your work respond to outdoor elements such as wind, rain, snow, ice, ice-melting chemicals, climbing children, being hit by weed-eater filament or rocks thrown by mowers, tree sap, bugs, etc.

Additional review criteria for semi-finalists include: 

• Ability to work within budget and timeline
• Connection to placemaking outcomes and community vision
• Expression of community values, connections, or engagement
• Creative use of site
• Artwork durability, and project feasibility
   

Final Artist Responsibilities

• Conduct research to better understand the site, the project, the community's history, and current culture, along with any other elements deemed helpful to their creative process
• Develop and present original concepts and renderings for the project site for final design approval
• Work in collaboration with the City of Merriam and the Public Art Committee when finalizing designs for installation
• Source specific materials, prime the installation area, collaborate with fabricators or technicians as necessary, and acquire any equipment needed for installation
• Fulfill the requirements of the City of Merriam’s Professional Services Agreement (including proof of liability and workers compensation insurance) and scope of work responsibilities within the contracted budget and timeline
• Participate in an unveiling ceremony

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all professional and emerging artists, with priority given to those who live, work, or have a meaningful connection to the greater Kansas City region, who are 18 years and older and legally able to work in the United States. 

Artists working in all mediums are welcome to submit their qualifications. These spaces should be considered a blank canvas. The project aims to beautify and transform these popular public spaces, and support the Public Art Committee’s vision of a future in which Merriam is identified by arts and culture.