Barney Allis Plaza RFQ

The City of Kansas City, Missouri’s One Percent for Art program, in partnership with Petrichor Projects, HOK, and the McCownGordon Design-Build Team, invites artists to submit their qualifications for a monumental public art commission at the reimagined Barney Allis Plaza, a one-square-block park in the heart of downtown Kansas City. As the city’s Front Door, this revitalized urban hub will celebrate culture, community, and civic pride, creating a dynamic gathering space that welcomes both residents and visitors.

This rare and prestigious opportunity invites an artist or artist team from around the globe to transform Barney Allis Plaza into an iconic cultural landmark. The selected artist(s) will develop a cohesive, site-wide artistic vision that integrates artworks into the park’s design, fostering an immersive and unified experience.

Petrichor Projects, led by Tiffany Meesha Thompson, EMBA, will serve as the curatorial arts consultant, working closely with HOK and McCownGordon Construction to ensure art is thoughtfully embedded throughout the site. Designed to inspire joy and connection, the project provides a unique platform for artistic innovation—positioning Barney Allis Plaza as a must-visit destination and a lasting symbol of creativity, community, and Kansas City’s forward-looking spirit.

Project Overview

The redevelopment of Barney Allis Plaza and the new Auditorium Plaza Garage will provide essential infrastructure while serving as a platform for public art. This site-specific commission will be a cornerstone of the transformation, elevating the plaza into a landmark space that reflects the spirit and ambition of Kansas City.

The reimagined plaza will feature green spaces, a dog park, an all-ages play area, flexible lawn spaces, and event plazas designed to accommodate both small gatherings and large-scale events. The commissioned artworks should enhance the site’s architectural and landscape design, creating an immersive experience that speaks to the power of public art to shape place and identity.

Shortlisted artists will be encouraged to consider both the plaza and the Auditorium Plaza Garage, exploring opportunities to integrate art across the entire site. The commission presents a global call to visionary artists who can challenge expectations, engage diverse audiences, and leave a lasting mark.

The artwork should be designed for all abilities, ensuring that Barney Allis Plaza remains an inclusive, welcoming space where people connect through shared experiences.

Selection Criteria

• Artistic Excellence: The artist’s portfolio should demonstrate originality, innovation, and exceptional quality, showcasing an ability to create enduring works of art that captivate the imagination and inspire audiences. The applicant's work should contribute to shaping the park into an iconic, globally recognized destination that attracts visitors from around the world.
• Relevant Prior Experience: The applicant has experience with projects of a similar scale and budget and has coordinated with multiple stakeholders.
• Site-Specific Sensitivity: The portfolio reflects the applicant’s ability to create work that responds thoughtfully to the site's social, economic, cultural, historical, and physical context.
• Endurance and Suitability: The portfolio demonstrates the applicant’s ability to create durable, long-lasting works designed for permanent outdoor environments, utilizing materials and processes suited to public art longevity.

Artists without this expertise are encouraged to collaborate with partners skilled in these practices.

Selection Process

Petrichor Projects, in collaboration with Kansas City’s Public Art Administrator, will oversee the artist selection process. Submissions will be reviewed by a Shortlist Panel composed of museum professionals, art curators, and public art experts, who will evaluate candidates based on their qualifications.

Shortlisted artists will receive a proposal fee and be invited to submit a detailed proposal (RFP). The final selection will be made by a Selection Committee, which will include stakeholders and community members.

Budget

The total minimum art budget for this project is $2,180,000.

A single artist or artist team will receive a minimum total fee of $2,180,000 to develop and implement a cohesive, site-wide artistic vision across Barney Allis Plaza and the Auditorium Parking Garage. The artist may allocate this budget to support multiple artworks within the site.

This all-inclusive budget covers artist fees, materials, fabrication, installation, and all associated implementation costs.

Information Sessions

An Information Session will be held at the Crossroads Hotel to provide an overview of the Barney Allis Plaza project and answer any questions about the RFQ. This session offers artists an opportunity to learn more about the project’s vision, scope, and expectations while engaging directly with representatives from Petrichor Projects and the City of Kansas City’s Art Administrator.

In-Person Session
March 3, 2025 | 6:00 PM CST
Crossroads Hotel – Private Dining Room, 2101 Central St, Kansas City, MO 64108

For those unable to attend in person, a virtual session will also be available via Zoom.

Virtual Session
March 3, 2025 | 9:00 AM CST
JOIN THE MEETING
 

Office Hours 

As part of Petrichor Projects' commitment to community engagement, Office Hours is a program designed to connect artists with public art opportunities at Barney Allis Plaza and beyond. Offered by Founding Director Tiffany Meesha Thompson, these free one-on-one mentoring sessions provide guidance and support to artists, helping them navigate the public art process. This mentorship opportunity is open to artists interested in applying for the Barney Allis Plaza commission or those looking to participate in future public art opportunities.

Tiffany will assist artists with:

• Portfolio reviews
• Refining submission
• Navigating the RFQ/RFP process

Details
Office Hours will take place over three days at the following locations in Kansas City:

• Thursday, February 27, 2025, 9AM-4 PM | Zhou B Art Center
• Wednesday, March 5, 2025, 12PM-5 PM | Charlotte Street
• Thursday, March 6, 2025, 9AM-4 PM | Line Creek Community Center

Local artists will have priority scheduling through February 25th. After this date, any remaining slots will be available to artists from any location. Artists interested in participating must register in advance for a 1-hour time slots. To sign up, please visit the following link:

SIGN UP FOR OFFICE HOURS 

About Barney Allis Plaza

Barney Allis Plaza is Kansas City’s front door—a place where the community and visitors from around the world are welcomed into the heart of the city. This one-square-block urban park, elevated above the Auditorium Parking Garage, is undergoing a complete redesign and reconstruction, transforming it into a beacon of creativity and civic pride. Framed by the Kansas City Convention Center, the historic Folly Theater, and a skyline of hotels and offices, it will become a central hub of activity and connection.

At the center of this ambitious reimagining is a rare and prestigious commission for a single artist or artist team to shape the plaza’s identity. This commission will integrate art throughout the design of the plaza, creating a cohesive experience that transforms the space into a cultural landmark. 

New amenities will enhance public life, transforming Barney Allis Plaza into a vibrant hub for community and culture. With a dog park, an all-ages play area, and flexible event spaces, it will be a lively destination for gathering, recreation, and cultural events in downtown Kansas City.

With its high visibility and central location, Barney Allis Plaza will stand as a beacon of Kansas City’s creativity and forward-thinking spirit, welcoming all who come to explore, gather, and celebrate.

Learn more at barneyallis.org.
 

About Petrichor Projects 

Petrichor Projects delivers monumental public art initiatives around the globe. Its dynamic team specializes in strategic planning, curatorial expertise, and comprehensive project management, establishing creative partnerships with leading cultural institutions, corporations, and civic organizations worldwide.

At the forefront of transformative public art initiatives, Petrichor Projects brings innovative approaches to cultural placemaking. They activate public spaces and bring museum-caliber projects to life. Excelling in steering art initiatives that range from intimate encounters to awe-inspiring civic experiences, Petrichor Projects leaves an indelible mark on the global artistic landscape.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit the following:

• Letter of Interest: A statement describing interest in the project and relevant experience.
• Portfolio of Past Work: Up to 20 images
• Image or Video List & Descriptions: Include a short description (Maximum 5 sentences) for each project, detailing: Title, date, medium, dimensions, total project budget, and collaborators.
• CV: A single resume showcasing professional experience, accompanied by a link to an online website or instagram. If collaborators are involved, include their resumes as additional pages.
• Professional References: Contact information for 3 references who have direct experience working with you on art or public art projects.

Eligibility Criteria

This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is open to professional artists or artist teams internationally. Applicants with experience creating public art projects of various scales and budgets, as well as coordinating with multiple stakeholders, are encouraged to apply. Artists without direct experience in these areas may apply as part of a collaborative team.

Applicants must demonstrate:

• A proven record of professional artistic practice, demonstrated through a portfolio of original, high-quality, and innovative work.
• Experience executing complex projects, including a strong understanding of fabrication and installation processes.
• The ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams, coordinate with designers and engineers, and oversee subcontractors or consultants as needed.