Call Description

01. CALL SUMMARY 

Project Name: City of Wichita – Integrated Public Art for Planeview Community Center (Graphic Vinyl or Painted Mural Artwork) 

Commissioning Organization: Davis Cohen Art, on behalf of SFS Architecture and the City of Wichita 

Entry Deadline: Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 12:00 PM (CST) 

Project Completion: Fall/Winter 2027 

Budget: $20,000 

Eligibility: National 

Call Type: Public Art 

02. INTRODUCTION 

The City of Wichita, in partnership with SFS Architecture, is developing a new community center in the historic Planeview neighborhood to supplement and replace the existing Colvin Neighborhood Resource Center and to expand recreation, meeting, activity, and social spaces in Planeview Park. The new facility will be adjacent to Colvin Elementary School and will serve Wichita City Council District 3. The project is anticipated to begin construction in Fall 2026, with public art installation targeted for Fall/Winter 2027. 

Davis Cohen Art, on behalf of SFS Architecture and the City of Wichita, is spearheading the process of procuring public art for the project, which is a key component of the project’s placemaking goals and is intended to educate and inspire visitors and neighbors by reflecting Planeview’s rich history and contemporary identity. The community center will support expanded programming in a safe, inclusive, modern environment, alongside site improvements such as parking, pedestrian connectivity, and stormwater-management components. 

Public Art Framework and Goals 

The City of Wichita – Integrated Public Art for Planeview Community Center project is an opportunity to commission durable, thoughtfully integrated artworks that welcome the community, elevate everyday experience, and express Planeview’s characteristics through an impactful graphic vinyl (or comparable material) installation.  

The graphic artwork (or painted mural) will be installed along a long interior corridor connecting the after-school program entry vestibule to the Kids Club rooms, restrooms, water fountains, and gymnasium—serving as elementary-aged children’s primary path of travel within the facility. The artwork should be playful, creative, and contemporary, creating a strong sense of place while evoking feelings of awe, excitement, confidence, and curiosity. 

The City is interested in work that engages the public in meaningful ways while honoring the unique characteristics of the Planeview community. 

Both emerging and professional artists are encouraged to apply, even if they have not previously produced a graphic vinyl project. This project is willing to consider thoughtfully designed painted murals. Davis Cohen Art is available to support emerging artists in translating their designs into fully rendered, fabrication-ready artwork, including connecting teams with vetted local fabricators for the production phase. 

Objectives for the City of Wichita Public Art Program  

• Art is fully integrated into the building design and complements/enhances the architecture.
• Art incorporates opportunities for creative public interaction where appropriate.
• Art strengthens placemaking within the park and surrounding area.
• Art thoughtfully considers and honors Planeview’s unique history.
• Art reflects and reinforces sense of shared community and reflect the area community members.

Project Team and Coordination 

The art consulting team is led by Davis Cohen Art, Consulting & Appraisal, and the design team is led by SFS Architecture and includes engineering and specialty consultants supporting civil, landscape, MEPF, and structural coordination. The public art approach will require close collaboration with the design team and City staff to confirm locations, integration requirements, and a procurement plan that aligns with construction. 

03. USEFUL LINKS 

Frequently Asked Questions / Arts & Cultural Services – Public Art (City of Wichita) 

City of Wichita Public Art Website 

Creating Public Art in Wichita: An Artist Toolkit 

A Brief History of Planeview (Wichita, Kansas) 

Planeview Community Center - Site Plan 

Planeview Community Center - Floor Plan 

Planeview Community Center – Axon View Looking North 

Planeview Community Center - Graphic Vinyl Artwork (Corridor Locations) 

Planeview Community Center – Exterior Elevations 

Planeview Community Center - Kids Club Corridor Interior - Elevation North 

Planeview Community Center – Kids Club Corridor Interior – Elevation South 

Planeview Community Center – Kids Club Corridor Interior – Elevation West 

Planeview Community Center – Kids Club Corridor - East 

Planeview Community Center –Kids Club Corridor - West 

Planeview Community Center – Rendering 1 

Planeview Community Center – Rendering 2 

Planeview Community Center – Rendering 3 

Planeview Community Center – Rendering 4 

04. ARTWORK OPPORTUNTIES AND SITES 

The project envisions a graphic artwork installed along a long interior corridor connecting the after-school program entry vestibule to the Kidz Club rooms, restrooms, water fountains, and gymnasium—serving as elementary-aged children’s primary path of travel within the facility. The artwork should be playful, creative, and contemporary, creating a strong sense of place while evoking feelings of awe, excitement, confidence, and curiosity. 

05. FUNDING SOURCE & BUDGET 

This project is funded through the City’s Percent for Art Ordinance and Capital Improvement Plan, which allocates a portion of eligible capital funds toward commissioning on-site artworks that become part of the City’s collection.  

The budget for the artwork is the following: $20,000 

06. PERCENT FOR ART & CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN 

This project is funded through the Percent for Art Ordinance and the City of Wichita’s Capital Improvement Plan. In 2019, the Wichita City Council approved an ordinance that allotted 2% of capital improvement funds to a pool of funding allocated for the commissioning of on-site artworks that then become part of the citywide art collection. The administration of the Percent for Art Program is overseen by the Design Council, an 11-member advisory board. 

07. ARTWORK OPPORTUNITY / LOCATION 

Graphic vinyl artwork (or painted mural) within corridor (Budget: $20,000) 

08. REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATION (RFQ) GOALS 

This RFQ invites artists/artist teams to submit qualifications (not project-specific proposals) for graphic vinyl artwork (or painted mural) opportunity at the Planeview Community Center. The goals are to: 

• Identify highly qualified artist(s) with a proven track record delivering creative work that can be produced at high resolution and fabricated/installed as durable, cost-effective vinyl (or similar material).
• Select artist(s) capable of thoughtfully enlivening a long corridor through clear, engaging design at architectural scale.
• Ensure the artwork responds to the purpose of the space, strengthening placemaking and enhancing daily experience.
• Prioritize artist(s) who can collaborate effectively with the art consultant, design team, fabricators, and the City throughout design, fabrication, and installation.
• Select artist(s) with the capacity to meet the project schedule and honor the established timeline and milestones.
• Consider both emerging and professional artists for this opportunity.

09. SELECTION PROCESS 

Submissions will be reviewed and ranked by a Selection Committee comprised of City staff, the design team, and relevant stakeholders. Interviews are not anticipated but may be conducted if rankings are closely aligned or additional clarification is needed. 

• The Selection Committee will evaluate submissions for evidence that the RFQ goals can be achieved. The following criteria will be considered in equal measure:
• Artistic excellence and strength of past relevant work
• Relevant experience delivering high-resolution, fabrication-ready vinyl (or similar) installations of comparable scope
• Delivery capacity to meet budget, schedule, and milestones
• Project fit, demonstrated in the Letter of Interest and understanding of the corridor’s purpose
• Collaboration and professionalism with the consultant, design team, fabricator/installer, and the City

10. TIMELINE 

11. REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS 

Each artist or artist team must submit an entirely digital application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.  

• Artist/Artist Lead Team Bio (Max 2 pages)
  • Provide CVs/Resumes for each team member, highlighting their qualifications and experience. Include a biography detailing each artist's background, artistic career, accomplishments, etc. References may be requested for selected concepts.
• Letter of Interest Featuring Related Experience (Max 1 page)
  • Describe the artist’s/artist team’s experience delivering similar projects or performing related functions. Share your approach to this project (or comparable commissions) so the Selection Committee feels confident in your ability to develop a compelling, site-responsive proposal if selected.
• Images of Past Work/Projects
  • Provide at least 5-10 images of previous work, including dimensions, venue, and year of creation. Include examples from each team member, if applicable, and showcase relevant or similar works.
  • Submit images as jpg or png files, each labeled with dimensions, venue, and year.
• Optional materials are NOT required; however, if available, they may be submitted to supplement your proposal.
  • Optional: Provide maximum of 1 video.
  • Optional: Include a brief description of the conceptual meaning of the projects.
  • Optional: Provide renderings or elevations of past projects as supplemental material.

12. ARTIST EDUCATIONAL SESSION (VIRTUAL) 

A free virtual Artist Educational Session will be held via Zoom for anyone interested in learning more about the project and the application process. Attendance is optional and not required to apply. The session is anticipated to last approximately one hour.  

HERE is a link to the presentation shared during the virtual Artist Educational Session.

Artist Educational Session (Virtual) 

Wednesday, March 11, 2026 @ 6pm (CST) - PASSED

13. QUESTIONS 

If you require further information about this opportunity, please submit your questions by email to Lindsay Davis, Davis Cohen Art (Project Art Consultant), lindsay@daviscohenart.com, no later than Tuesday, March 24, 2026 @ 12:00 PM (CST). After this deadline, a link to all submitted questions and responses will be posted in this section. 

LINK to questions and answers asked thus far. 

Application Requirements

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS 

Each artist or artist team must submit an entirely digital application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.  

• Artist/Artist Lead Team Bio (Max 2 pages)
  • Provide CVs/Resumes for each team member, highlighting their qualifications and experience. Include a biography detailing each artist's background, artistic career, accomplishments, etc. References may be requested for selected concepts.
• Letter of Interest Featuring Related Experience (Max 1 page)
  • Describe the artist’s/artist team’s experience delivering similar projects or performing related functions. Share your approach to this project (or comparable commissions) so the Selection Committee feels confident in your ability to develop a compelling, site-responsive proposal if selected.
• Images of Past Work/Projects
  • Provide at least 5-10 images of previous work, including dimensions, venue, and year of creation. Include examples from each team member, if applicable, and showcase relevant or similar works.
  • Submit images as jpg or png files, each labeled with dimensions, venue, and year.
• Optional materials are NOT required; however, if available, they may be submitted to supplement your proposal.
  • Optional: Provide maximum of 1 video.
  • Optional: Include a brief description of the conceptual meaning of the projects.
  • Optional: Provide renderings or elevations of past projects as supplemental material.

Eligibility Criteria

This opportunity is open to emerging and professional artists and artist teams with proven experience and expertise in public art projects, who live and work in the United States of America.  

It is the declared policy and practice of the City of Wichita to extend equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, political affiliation, sexual orientation, disability, or other non-merit factors.