Call Description

*SEE FULL RFQ AT THE VIEW SITE DETAILS LINK*

Please watch the Pre Submittal Info Webinar Here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q_PzyB6vcUNiK3hw7P2nxdqNwyIgO0qn/view?usp=drive_link

ANNOUNCEMENT 

Request for Qualifications (RFQ)  

Stagville Memorial Project Public Art for Durham Rail Trail Gateway Plaza 

Durham, North Carolina 

The Stagville Memorial Project (SMP), in partnership with the City of Durham and Durham County, are looking for an artist or artist team to design and install a series of public artworks at specified locations within the Durham Rail Trail Gateway Plaza that uplifts and honors the story of those descended from enslavement at Stagville plantation and their impact on Durham’s community and culture. 

Project Goals 

The goals of this public art project include: 

1. 
    Offering art in downtown Durham that highlights the history of Stagville and its descendants, incorporating elements that resonate with descendants and the diverse communities in Durham.
2. Functioning as a place of gathering, rest, and contemplation of Durham’s unique history.
3. Complementing the public art plan of the Durham Rail Trail.
4. Building awareness about this part of Durham’s history and inspiring people to visit Historic Stagville State Historic Site.
5. Ensure durability and safety: utilize materials and design solutions that are durable, safe, and suitable for a high-traffic public space.
6. Enhance the visitor experience. 

Project Description 

This Stagville Memorial Project Public Artworks (SMPPA) encompasses 3 cohesive public artworks to help accomplish these goals: 

Creative Elements on Stairs with Seatwalls: A series of creative elements (concrete stamping, engraving, stenciling etc.) Each step can feature bold patterns, designs, symbolic motifs and phrases drawn from the history and information shared in community engagement events.

Contemporary Sculpture: A large-scale contemporary sculpture will be in the near- center of the plaza functioning as a focal point and primary art piece of the project. This piece will reflect the culmination of experiences, stories and data uncovered through descendant and other Durham community engagement efforts, as well as information from published local history works. Material options may include bronze, stainless steel, tempered glass, ceramics, durable composites, or other durable materials suitable for permanent outdoor installation with minimal required maintenance. 

Creative Wayfinding Pedestal: This creative take on a traditional pedestal will creatively combine art, history, and wayfinding into one creative installation. Through text, imagery, and creative design, the work will guide visitors through questions to consider as they experience the space. Content to be displayed will be written and created in collaboration with the Stagville Memorial Project and partners.  

Upon completion of the Stagville Memorial Project Public Artworks, the artworks will be conveyed to the City of Durham’s Public Art Collection who will assume responsibility to manage and maintain the artworks.

Durham’s History 

Durham has a unique and storied history. Widely known as a tobacco cultivation and  manufacturing hub where companies like Bull Durham Smoking Tobacco, and later Liggett and Myers grew to become massively influential organizations; or known as the home of North Carolina Central and Duke Universities, or more recently as home of the technology hub, Research Triangle Park. What many might not know, is that prior to Durham’s incorporation in 1869, the surrounding area that became part of the city of Durham was home to Stagville Plantation.

Stagville Plantation 

In 1860, Stagville was one of the largest sites of plantation slavery in North Carolina, where the Bennehan and Cameron families enslaved over 900 people across 30,000 acres covering parts of modern Durham, Granville, and Wake counties. Before emancipation, some enslaved families at Stagville had been held in bondage for four generations since 1776. After emancipation, newly freed people went on to establish many of the historically Black neighborhoods that are still in existence today like Bragtown. 

Hayti was another neighborhood that was established post emancipation, in part by Stagville descendants. Up until urban renewal between 1949 and 1973, Hayti served as a thriving hub for Black businesses and community. One example of this, is the founding of the Carolina Funeral Home in 1933, (later known as the Amey Funeral Home.) Stagville descendant William A. Amey co-founded the business to provide “kind and sympathetic” services for the bereaved in the Black community. Additionally, this institution offered florist services and served as a social center that supported Black Durham through sponsoring children’s activities, choirs and a women’s softball team. 
 

However, in recent years, many Black folks living in historic Black neighborhoods like the ones listed here, have been displaced, due to the many consequences of gentrification. Many new people taking advantage of comparatively lower housing prices in these areas are moving into Durham without knowledge of the communities that were created prior. Most relevant to our efforts, many do not know of the contributions those descended from Stagville’s formerly enslaved have made on Durham’s wider history and culture, or why they are important for our collective memory. 

Project Background 

The Stagville Memorial Project became a 501(c)3 in the summer of 2022, this was after years of a few deeply engaged community leaders and Stagville descendants having many conversations about how to tell Stagville’s story in a rapidly changing Durham community. After receiving support from Durham Board of County Commissioners and staff and later from the Durham City Council and City staff, the Stagville Memorial Project was given the greenlight to establish public art in service of this mission at the upcoming Durham Rail Trail Gateway Plaza. 
 

The Site Durham Rail Trail Gateway Plaza

The Durham Rail Trail is a planned 1.78-mile rail trail-linear park in the heart of downtown Durham, with neighborhood connections, art components, storm water treatment, road crossings, trail heads, and site amenities. 

Detailed engineering and landscape architectural design for the Durham Rail Trail is full steam ahead after the City Council approved the project for advanced design and significant construction funding in June of 2024.The Durham Rail Trail is currently in the design phase, with construction slated to begin in fall 2026, and completion expected by spring 2028.

In response to community feedback, the trail includes:

• A wide path with separate biking and walking zones where possible
• Enhanced road crossings and traffic calming
• Connecting paths to neighborhoods and destinations
• Bicycle and pedestrian improvements on West Chapel Hill Street
• Lighting and wayfinding
• Public art
• Native planting
• Green stormwater infrastructure
• Areas for rest, play, and gathering
• A Gateway Plaza and Trailhead at Main Street

Durham Rail Trail Public Art Vision Plan 

The Stagville Memorial Project Public Artworks is part of the broader Durham Rail Trail Public Art Vision Plan and is scheduled for completion in Phase 1. Review the full plan here: 

https://www.durhamnc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/60860/Durham-Rail-Trail-Public-Art-Vision-Plan

Budget 

The budget for this project, including all three proposed public artworks detailed in this RFQ, will not exceed $269,000. This budget is inclusive of all costs associated with this public art project including, but not limited to: artist fees, other subcontractors’ fees, insurance that meets the standards of the City and County of Durham, engineering, materials, fabrication costs, transportation, installation of the artwork, community engagement participation, and documentation of the artwork on site. The selected artist(s) is expected to be under contract through 2028.

The selected artist(s) will sign a contract with the Stagville Memorial Project not to exceed the amount of $269,000.The actual budget will be determined in collaboration with The Stagville Memorial Project, project partners and the artist. 
 

Scope of Work 

Services and Scope to be performed include but are not limited to the following:  

Design Phase 

• The artist shall consult with local planning and inspections departments to ensure that the artwork design, fabrication and installation will conform to all building codes and ordinances.
• Final design shall conform to both aesthetic and structural requirements of the site.
• The artist shall collaborate with an Artist Mentee (an emerging artist or individual over the age of 18, with preference for an artist or individual residing in the County of Durham, that shall participate in the project as an apprentice/intern to the Artist, with the objective of receiving arts related educational enrichment and skill building opportunities) who will be selected collaboratively by the artist, City, County and the Stagville Memorial Project. The Artist Mentee shall be determined after the artist is selected.
• The artist shall collaborate with the Community Engagement Strategist to lead, facilitate and document community engagement activities and in-person sessions.

The artist shall submit an Initial Design Proposal including the following: 

• a written description of the Artwork(s) as it is to appear on the Site;
• a visual, representative rendering of the Artwork as it is to appear on the Site;
• a detailed description of the Artwork elements, materials, and method for fabrication and installation at the Site;
• a description of the proposed means of attaching and securing the Artwork to the Site, including any required Site preparations or modifications (description should include the proposed methodology for attachment and requirements);
• a description detailing the expected maintenance and operational requirements for the Final Artwork;
• a schedule for the design and budget of the Final Artwork; and
• a written description of the community engagement completed in collaboration with the Stagville Memorial Project and the Community Engagement Strategist, including the number of community members involved in the process.

Fabrication Phase 

• The artist will provide a written report of the Proof of Fabrication (includes photographs, shop drawings, invoices, and receipts for the fabrication process).

 Installation Phase 

• The artist is responsible for ensuring the installation of the artworks and abiding by all permits and laws as required.
• Submit final documentation, including requested documentation and permits.

Application Requirements

Submission Requirements

Application materials will only be accepted via the Call For Entry portal. 
 

• Statement of Intent: Please describe your interest in this project, experience and artist modality in 300-500 words. Artist teams should explain in 500-750 words. If applying as a team, identify if the team has worked together in the past.

• *Images: Submission should include visual representations of past artwork that demonstrate your qualifications for this project. Applicants must upload up to ten (10) high-resolution images from preferably (3) different projects completed after 2018. Videos will count as one of the ten (10) images. Artist teams’ images should include examples from each team member.

• Project Summary for Each Work Example: Include location of the artwork, title of the work, overall dimensions including weight if applicable, materials/media used and methods of fabrication, and total budget of project. If applying as a team, or using work samples from previous team projects, please describe each team member’s contribution to the work sample provided.
   
• Resume: Experience being commissioned to create public artworks and leading sincere engagement with historically marginalized communities is required. If an artist team is applying, each resume should reflect this experience. 
   
• References: Artists should provide at least three (3) current references (non-familial) or recommendation letters with contact information (email address and phone number) for each reference, who can speak to the Candidates’ work ethic, skills and strengths. Community references will be accepted but prior commissioners references are preferred. Artist teams may submit a total of three (3) references collectively.

Selection Process

The Stagville Memorial Project Artist Selection Panel, composed of Stagville descendants, City and County staff representatives, a Stagville Memorial Project board representative, working artists, and other experts who will individually and collectively review all applicants, choose a first round of shortlisted  semi-finalists and participate in virtual interviews with selected candidates. 
 

Selection Criteria 

Statement of Intent (5 Points)

Thoughtfulness + Preparedness + Alignment with SMP Goals

Is there evidence of engaging with the subject matter material in the RFQ in this statement?

Does the artist’s modality align with the project’s vision? 

Is there evidence of a personal connection to Durham or Stagville, and/or personal motivation for applying to this RFQ?

Images + Project Summary for Each Work Example (5 Points) 

Evidence of Quality + Prior Work on Similar Themes 

Is there evidence of creating high-quality work from the last 5-7 years? Including but not limited to: sculpture, concrete stamping, creative wayfinding? 

Is there aesthetic cohesion of past projects?

Is there evidence of working on a public art piece with similar themes?

Are all the elements we requested included here?: location of the artwork, title of the work, overall dimensions including weight if applicable, materials/media used and methods of fabrication, and total budget of project.

Resume (5 Points) 

Experience with projects of this size (budget) and scale 

Does this artist show evidence of working with marginalized populations in previous artworks? 

Is there evidence of community engagement in the public art process?

Is there evidence or interest in mentoring emerging artists?

Is there evidence of working with public art? 

Is there evidence of working with municipalities? 

Is there evidence of prior work experience with external contractors like structural engineers and fabricators? 

References or Recommendation Letters (5 Points) 

Are the references from previous commissioners? 

Did the artist deliver all requirements we asked for? (Artists should provide at least three (3) current references (non-familial) or recommendation letters with contact information for each reference, who can speak to the Candidates’ work ethic, skills and strengths. Community references will be accepted but prior commissioners references are preferred. Artist teams may submit a total of three (3) references collectively.   

Short-listed Semi-Finalist Interviews & Semi-Finalist Presentation Invitation 

Up to 10 artists or artists teams may be invited to a 30-minute virtual interview. Up to 3 semi-finalists will be invited to share an in-person initial presentation to the selection committee in Durham, NC. Each semi-finalist individual or team will receive a $1,000 stipend to cover all presentation related fees including any and all design fees, rendering costs, and travel-related expenses. These initial presentations will be the semi-finalists first chance to show the selection committee their ideas of how The Stagville Memorial Project Public Artworks (SMPPA) could take shape. It is crucial to outline how the artist or artist team proposes to engage with Stagville’s history in their approach to the public artworks

Eligibility Criteria

This RFQ is open to all public artists legally authorized to work in the United States. Preference will be given to experienced public artists who have a familiarity with Durham either through residing in Durham or North Carolina or otherwise have strong ties to the community. Previous work with municipalities and local government committees is a plus but not a requirement. An understanding of the history of Stagville Plantation and of Stagville descendants is crucial. Engaging with Stagville descendants and Durham community members is required. 

Applications will only be accepted via callforentry.org from September 15th, 2025 to  October 17th, 2025 11:59pm EDT.