REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

Project Overview

During the Request for Qualifications, RFQ Phase, PHASE I, an Art This Way jury review panel will evaluate initial RFQ application responses according to the criteria outlined within the Prospectus. Up to ­­­­3 artists or groups of artists whose proposed qualifications demonstrate, in the review panel’s sole opinion, the qualifications that best fulfill the purposes of this project will move to the finalist selection phase, PHASE II. In PHASE II artists will be hired to create proposal concepts based on the project theme. Those proposals will undergo a jury review. The selected artist in PHASE II will be contracted to implement their mural concept in Fort Wayne, IN in 2026. If a satisfactory design concept is not approved by the jury review committee and/or the Fort Wayne Public Art Commission, this project may not move forward.

 

Applicant Eligibility

• Applicant(s) must be willing to sign an indemnification agreement, a hold harmless waiver, and a photo release waiver;
• Applicant(s) must be prepared to provide proof of insurance;
• Applicant(s) must be 18 or older;
• Applicant(s) must be able to travel to Fort Wayne, IN to install the mural in 2026;
• Applicant(s) must be able to provide tax documentation and be eligible to work in the USA in 2026;
• Applicant(s) must be willing to participate in a dedication ceremony, interviews, an artist talk, and/or conduct demonstrations/presentations.

        Art This Way, Inc. and  Downtown Fort Wayne are an equal opportunity employers.

 

Statement of Work

The scope of work for the selected artist or artist team may generally include, but not limited to, the following:

PHASE I RFQ Applicant:

• Submit RFQ to Art This Way before the deadline (see project timeline below).

PHASE II Finalists:

• Provide a fully rendered, in color, design proposal for the site by the deadline.
• Prepare and present, as necessary, the design concept, budget, timeline for installation, materials, and equipment needed.

PHASE III Finalist(s):

• Enter into a contract with Downtown Fort Wayne.
• Install the mural in the fall of 2026.
• Install the mural in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract. The Artist or Team will work collaboratively with Art This Way and Downtown Fort Wayne to ensure that the mural is installed correctly and in a timely manner.
• Artist(s) may be asked to work with local volunteers and/or local artists while implementing the mural.
• Artist(s) will attend a dedication ceremony at the mural site during or after the mural installation.

 

Project Timeline *

MARCH 2026	RFQ release
APRIL 6, 2026	Phase I: Deadline for RFQ submissions
APRIL - MAY 2026	Phase I: Review RFQs;
	Phase II Finalists selected and notified; all applicants will be notified about the status of their application.
JUNE 1, 2026	Phase II: Deadline for finalist(s) design proposals
JUNE 2026	Jury review of finalist(s) design proposals; Finalist is selected;
	Proposal Review by Fort Wayne Public Art Commission; all finalists will be notified about the status of their application.*
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 1, 2026	Phase III: Mural to be installed

*Dates may be changed; Art This Way  reserves the right to modify this schedule if necessary. *If a suitable application is not received, the project will not move forward.

 

THEME:

This outdoor mural will be a work of original art that considers the following:

We are looking for a vibrant, colorful, and eye-catching design that will attract attention and tell a story. This site welcomes visitors into the Broadway Arts District corridor. This area is full of creatives, makers, galleries, and restaurants. This piece should consider other works within the corridor and the artsy theme of this neighborhood.Keep in mind that all of our projects include a plaque with a QR code which allows us an opportunity to elaborate on the purpose and meaning of the work. Art This Way, Inc. reserves the right to update or change the theme requirements during Phase II of the mural project.

MURAL LOCATION

This site welcomes visitors into the Broadway Arts District corridor. This area is full of creatives, makers, galleries, and restaurants. The mural is on the side of esisting art galleries and the Abstract restaurant. 

 

INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS & DESIGN PARAMETERS

• Commissioning Body will hire a contractor to apply the appropriate masonry primer on the surface prior to painting. Artist may be asked to choose a color for the prime coat;
• Selected artist will paint the entire area as indicated in Phase II specifications.
• Our program requires the use of high-quality spray paint, Nova Color paints (https://www.novacolorpaint.com/) or similar high-quality exterior product. After the artist agreement is signed, the muralist may choose to purchase their own supplies and be reimbursed, or Art This Way can order the necessary supplies for the artist. Any supplies not used remain the property of the Art This Way program.
• Public art proposals should be family friendly, secular, and apolitical; murals depicting violence, salacious imagery, expletives or hate speech will not be considered.

 

MURAL BUDGET & ARTIST PAYMENT

Phase I:

• There is no fee for RFQ applicants to submit their qualifications in Phase I.

Phase II:

• A review committee will select the Phase II finalist(s) from the RFQ applicants. Phase II finalist(s) will enter into a proposal contract with Downtown Fort Wayne, provide a signed Form W-9, and issue Downtown Fort Wayne an invoice for a design fee of $350.00. Phase II finalist(s) proposal must align with the project theme and be submitted by the deadline for the artist to receive payment.
• Phase II artists must create a fully rendered, in color design concept proposal.
• A Phase II finalist may be selected to install their proposal concept.

Phase III:

• Phase III finalist, the selected muralist(s), will sign a mural contract and waivers. The budget for the mural project is negotiable based on scale and intricacy of design. Supplies and permits will be paid for by the FWDID/Art This Way program. Baseline Artist Stipend: $9,000.00. The budget is to cover all costs associated with the mural, inclusive of, but not limited to, artist fee, materials, insurance, project documentation, associated project equipment rentals and purchases and the contingency to cover unexpected expenses and any other costs related to the mural not covered in the preceding list. The muralist will be given 25% of the budgeted amount upon signing their contract and providing any necessary documentation. Upon completion of the mural and a final review by Art This Way, the artist will receive the final artist stipend. Travel and lodging may be covered by the program. Food will not be paid for by the program.

 

Funding for this project is provided by Knight Foundation and Downtown Fort Wayne.

 

APPLICATION CHECK-LIST:

ENTER ALL INFORMATION INTO THIS JOTFORM. Partial applications or ineligible applicants will not be considered. Prepare the following items for your application:

• FOUR jpeg images of artist's previous work (each image should not exceed 5MB and the file name should include applicant's name) 
• Please fill out the image description: title of work, medium, size, and location of artwork; ex.  'Waterfalls, Oil, 50x69ft, Namibia')
• In 200 words or less, explain your interest in this project.