Call Description

The City of Bloomington’s Office of Creative Placemaking and Parks and Recreation Department, in partnership with the Okodakiciye Dakota Advisory Committee, invites public artists to submit qualifications for the design, fabrication, and installation of a site-specific sculpture at Pond-Dakota Mission Park, a site with deep Indigenous history and connections. This public art installation will enhance the park’s sense of place and identity while reflecting the history, culture, and values of the Dakota people. The design may engage with Dakota culture, history, language, the significance of the site or its connection to other culturally meaningful locations, and perspectives from past, present, or future, providing an opportunity to inform and inspire all who visit, work, and live in Bloomington.

The Dakota have lived in Mní sota Makhóčhe, today known as Minnesota, for thousands of years.  Many Dakota consider the confluence of the Mni Sota Wakpa (Minnesota) and Wakpá Thánka (big river re: Mississippi) rivers to be the spiritual home and origin of their people. Bloomington is home to burial mounds found throughout the bluff, and was home to significant Dakota Villages of the Lower Minnesota River Valley, including Cloudman and Penasha.

Pond-Dakota Mission Park is the site of the historic Oak Grove Mission and the 1856 Gideon and Agnes Pond House.  The historic Pond House was the dwelling of Gideon Pond and Agnes Hopkins Pond from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s. The Ponds served as missionaries to the Dakota Indians, and as farmers and ministers in the young community of Bloomington, Minnesota.  The park features many fun and educational programs held in the house and park throughout the year, including Dakota cultural programs such as an annual Dakota Language camp. The newest addition to the park is an Indigenous Plant Arboretum featuring a wide variety of important Indigenous plants and shrubs.  Projects such as this honor the indigenous history of the site and act as learning tools for visitors to the park.

The Parks and Recreation Department manages an extensive system and hosts numerous activities and events throughout the year. In 2022, Parks and Recreation facilitated the establishment of a Dakota Advisory Group for the City. The group is called the Bloomington Okodakiciye, describing a partnership. The roles of the Bloomington Okodakiciye, as determined by the Dakota members of the group, are:

1. To establish an agreement of consultation and collaboration with the Dakota Community and the City.
2. To implement a process for determining accessibility, land use, and educational interpretation as it relates to the Dakota for land areas within the City of Bloomington.
3. To educate and make explicit that Bloomington is on Dakota homeland with culturally competent historical accounts, Dakota language and signage, religious and cultural accessibility, and other considerations as determined by the Dakota Community and Bloomington with attention to cultural issues of importance. A Dakota public Arts project was determined by the Bloomington Okodakiciye to be a good step in helping tell the Dakota story in Bloomington and the Minnesota River Valley.

Creative placemaking integrates arts, culture, and design to strengthen and connect communities. In 2021 Bloomington’s Creative Placemaking Commission commissioned a South Loop indigenous history report, “Lines on the Land: How Dakota Homeland Became Private Property,” written by Peter DeCarlo, and presented by Dr. Kate Beane and Peter DeCarlo in 2023.  As a result of the report, presentation, and presentation attendee survey responses, the Creative Placemaking Commission prioritized highlighting indigenous history in art projects. Since then, the Bloomington. Tomorrow, Together Strategic Plan, developed by hundreds of community members, prioritized the outcome of expanding Creative Placemaking efforts from South Loop District to citywide. During engagement for the development of the Citywide Creative Placemaking Plan, the desire to highlight the indigenous history of Bloomington was a prevalent theme. This partnership with Parks and Recreation and Dakota Bloomington Okodakiciye, artists and community members aligns with community feedback and creative placemaking goals to acknowledge and honor Native history, culture, and land.

LOCATION

The site of the sculpture will be at Pond-Dakota Mission Park (401 E 104th St, Bloomington, MN 55420), the site of the historic Oak Grove Mission and the 1856 Gideon and Agnes Pond House. The sculpture could be placed either in the area just west of the house or south of the house along the prairie overlook. The area will be determined by the selected artist and approved by the City. 

View photos and maps.

Application Requirements

Step One: RFQ – Submit by April 16, 2026, 4:00 PM Central Standard Time

In addition to your contact information, you will be asked to provide the following:

• A letter of up to one page outlining your interest in the project, approach to design, methods for research and community engagement, relevant experience, and familiarity with Dakota history, culture, and traditions as they relate to your artwork.
• One-page biographical information or resume. If you have multiple team members, please provide brief biographical information on each essential member but do not exceed one page.
• Work Samples: up to 10 images of your recent projects (one of which should be for an artwork you either produced or administered the budget for, valued at $10,000 or more which was completed in the past ten years). Please provide a brief description and final cost for each. Follow CaFE™ image requirements: JPEG format only, 1200 pixels on the longest side, less than 5 MB in size. Visit the CaFE Help Page , for more information on image requirements or for help resizing images.
• One-page listing three references who can speak about your ability as an artist and collaborator. Include an email and phone number for each reference.

Do not submit a project proposal or design at this time.

We encourage interested applicants to learn more about Bloomington Creative Placemaking efforts by visiting blm.mn/placemaking, and the Pond-Dakota Mission Park and its history by visiting blm.mn/PDM.

 It is the responsibility of the applicant to inquire about any portion of the RFQ that is not fully understood or susceptible to more than one (1) interpretation. Written inquiries are required. Oral communications will not be accepted, except to confirm delivery of the proposal or written correspondence.

 All inquiries, questions, or clarifications must be submitted by email not later than seven (7) calendar days prior to the due date of this RFQ – Thursday, April 9, 2026 by 5:00 PM Central Standard Time. Inquiries, questions, or clarifications submitted after this date will not be answered. All inquiries will be responded to within three (3) business days.

Please email questions to: Kathryn Murray, Creative Placemaking Specialist at placemaking@bloomingtonmn.gov. Any questions concerning the RFQ must reference the page number, section heading, and paragraph. Please include “Pond-Dakota Sculpture RFQ Question” in the subject line. Please do not ask other City personnel questions, as information gathered from other sources may not reflect the correct position or interest and could result in disqualification.

A Questions and Answers addendum related to this RFQ will be updated as questions come in and can be found at blm.mn/pondsculpture.

The City of Bloomington does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, this information can be available in Braille, large print, audio tape and/or electronic format.

Step Two: Selection Criteria for Artists – Notification by Friday, May 1, 2026

The submitted qualifications will be evaluated by a selection panel composed of members of the Dakota Advisory Committee, stakeholders, community leaders, and public art professionals. The panel will select three finalists based on equally weighted criteria:

1. Quality of letter of interest including an understanding of the project purpose, and approach to design and engagement.
2. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Dakota history and culture, gained through research, collaboration, past work, or other relevant experience.
3. Demonstrated experience incorporating community engagement into a project.
4. Artistic quality and relevance of artwork samples.

Step Three: Selection of Artist/Team – Notification by Monday, June 8th, 2026

Three finalists will be selected and scheduled to attend an optional in-person site meeting on Monday, May 18, 2026, and present their concept design proposal in-person or virtually to the selection panel the week of June 1, 2026.  Specific information on the design presentation and responsibilities of the artist/team will be provided to the finalists. Each finalist/team will receive a $2,000 design payment inclusive of any travel expenses.  Payments will be made half upon signing an agreement, and half on the day of the presentation.  Payments are only available via check. The concept design presentation should include visuals in the form of digital presentation, a scale model, drawings, or a combination of formats. The presentation should also include: a detailed description of how the design meets the project purpose; team members involved; past experience; a project timeline; ongoing maintenance needs and related estimated costs, a budget outlining how the proposed sculpture will fit within budget parameters; and how the Artist will incorporate engagement into the development of the sculpture design. This project intends to comply with the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990. As such, finalists will be required to document compliance with the requirements.

The panel will consider the following criteria when selecting the artist/team:

1. 40%: Artistic quality, alignment with project purpose, and structural integrity.
   • Is the concept design visually engaging, and does it reflect an understanding of the project’s purpose related to Dakota history, culture, and values?
   • Does it fit well within the theme and context of the area?
   • Will the sculpture engage a broad audience in a meaningful way?
   • Does the design consider safety, accessibility, and material durability suitable for Minnesota’s climate?
2. 30%: Experience and qualifications.
   • Does the artist/team have experience with projects including those working with the Dakota community, municipalities, or community organizations?
   • Does the artist demonstrate the technical ability to execute a project of this scale and complexity?
3. 20%: Timeline, budget, and maintenance.
   • Are project schedule, budget, and ongoing maintenance needs clearly outlined and appropriate?
4. 10%: Communication and collaboration skills.
   • Ability to communicate design concepts clearly.
   • Artist/team demonstrates professionalism and spirit of collaboration.

Pond-Dakota Mission Park Sculpture Timeline

Optional virtual informational meeting: March 26, 2026 at 5:00 PM via WebEx

• Meeting link: https://logis.webex.com/logis/j.php?MTID=m8b7ec8c3613e6b779c749d32f19d477b
• Meeting number: 2869 931 0824
• Password: Pondhouse2026
• Join by phone
  • +1-312-535-8110 United States Toll (Chicago)
  • +1-415-655-0001 US Toll
  • Access code: 2869 931 0824

Submitted questions due: Thursday, April 9, 2026 by 5:00 PM Central Standard Time

RFQ – qualification proposals due: Thursday, April 16, 2026 by 4:00 PM Central Standard Time (online via CaFE™) (Do not submit a project proposal or design at this phase.)

Artist applicant notification and finalists selected by: Friday, May 1, 2026

Optional in-person site meeting for finalists: Monday, May 18, 2026 

Design presentations by the finalists: Week of June 1, 2026

Selection of artist/team by:  Monday, June 8, 2026

Installation of Sculpture: Installation should occur within 2026-2027. Finalists should include their timeline in the presentation.

Eligibility Criteria

This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is open to applicants who meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Applicants must be 18 years or older who reside in the contiguous United States.
• Have demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Dakota history and culture, and experience integrating community engagement into the development of their artwork.
• Experienced public artists and artist teams who have completed or administered the budget of at least one commissioned outdoor public art sculpture with a budget of $10,000 or more in the past ten years.
• A demonstrated experience with or understanding of installations that address the climate and ecosystem specific to Minnesota.
• Finalists must have the ability to attend an interview and presentation of a design concept and approach to the project.