• Request for Qualifications: (Un)Known Project Call for Artists 

  • Project Vision and Sculpture Park Overview

    The (Un)Known Project Sculpture Park will stand as a testament to the resilience, humanity, and stories of those whose names and lives have too often been erased. The site will embody remembrance, justice, and hope, while creating space for reflection, dialogue, and healing for generations to come.

    This RFQ seeks qualified artists for two sculpture commissions connected to the (Un)Known Project Sculpture Park:

    1. America 250 – A monumental sculpture honoring and depicting the widespread contributions enslaved people made to the shaping of America, with roles including builders, farmers, seamstresses, artists, cooks, brewers, and more.

    • Apprenticeship Component: The selected lead artist will mentor a paid apprentice (emerging artist or fabrication intern) throughout design, fabrication, and installation. The selected artist will be involved in the apprentice selection process, either recommending someone to be engaged or working with (Un)Known Project to identify an apprentice. The goal is to support and cultivate the next generation of artists.
    • Artist Stipend: $35,000, Rest and Recovery Stipend $1,000
    • Apprentice Stipend: $10,000, Rest and Recovery Stipend $1,000
    • Materials/Installation/Transportation budget: $150,000

    2. Broken Wings Still Fly – A powerful, multi-generational depiction of Black women’s resilience, hope, and leadership. Inspired by (Un)Known Project’s original play of the same name, rooted in the lived experiences of enslaved women in Kentucky. 

    • Artist Stipend: $25,000, Rest and Recovery Stipend $1,000
    • Materials/Installation/Transportation Budget: $100,000

    Who Should Apply 

    • Artistic Practice: Large-scale, outdoor sculpture and/or 3D design.

    • Geography: Artists should live within 500 miles of Louisville, KY.  

    We welcome applications from: 

    • Professional artists, collaborative teams, or collectives with experience in large-scale public art. 
    • Artists with a deep commitment to historical truth, racial justice, and community engagement. 
    • Scope of Work (for Commissioned Artist)  

    • Scope of Work (for Commissioned Artist) 

      1. Research & Community Engagement 

      • Engage with (Un)Known Project partners and community stakeholders; review relevant archival and oral histories. 
        • Partners could include Roots 101 African American Museum, Frazier History Museum, Farmington Historic Plantation. 
      • Participate in at least 3-5 community engagement touchpoints (workshops, site walks, listening sessions, community conversations).
        • (Un)Known Project will make introductions and support identification of groups or individuals to be engaged as needed. 

      2. Design Development 

      • Concept drawings/maquettes; materials/specifications; maintenance plan; accessibility and safety considerations; interpretive approach. 
      • For America 250, outline and manage the apprentice’s learning goals and tasks. 

      3. Engineering & Permitting 

      • Provide stamped engineering drawings if required; coordinate permitting and compliance with local authorities (with Owner support). 

      4. Fabrication & Installation 

      • Fabricate to approved specs; coordinate site prep and foundations; install safely and professionally; attend punch‑list and hand‑off. 

      5. Documentation & Maintenance 

      • Deliver high‑quality photos/video; complete as‑built drawings; maintenance manual and plan (materials, finishes, cleaning schedule, coatings) 
    • Artist Selection and Engagement Process  

    • Artist Selection and Engagement Process:  

      Phase 1: Request for Qualifications [See selection timeline below]

      Phase 2: Finalists for each sculpture are provided a stipend of $500 to develop preliminary proposals for art installations. This will include draft designs, materials, scale, installation/transportation and maintenance plan.  

      Phase 3: Sculpture Design and Creation - the artists selected and commissioned to create each public art installation will conduct community engagement and historical research to inform their design. Final designs must be engineered for permanent exterior display, meet all safety codes, consider floodplain/site conditions near the Ohio River where applicable, and be fabricated from durable, low‑maintenance materials (including but not limited to stone, bronze, stainless steel, Corten, high‑performance coatings). Plans must include recommendations for ongoing maintenance and repair. Sculptures will be mounted on cement platforms.  

    • Anticipated Timeline for Both Installations (subject to change)  

    •   
      Anticipated Timeline for both installations (subject to change) 
      This timeline may need to shift due to unforeseen circumstances, weather, permit limitations, etc.  

      • Deadline to Apply: October 27, 2025, at 11:59 PM (ET) 
      • Finalists Notified: November 14, 2025 
      • Finalist Orientation / Site Visit: November 22, 2025  11 am
      • Finalists will present their preliminary draft proposals - Virtual: December 8, 2025. This session will include committee members from the Commission on Public Art 
      • Commissioned Artist(s) Selected: December 11, 2025 
      • Design Development & Approvals: December 2025 – February 2026
      • Present designs for feedback approval: February 23, 2026
      • Designs finalized by March 5, 2026 


      Important dates:

      • Selected artists will present their initial design concepts created through the proposal process to the Commission on Public Art on December 8, 2025 
      • Selected artists will meet with (Un)Known Project team and the Louisville Metro Director of Office of Arts + Creative Industries, the week of January 12 and February 2, 2026, to discuss how their plans are evolving and for input as part of the process. Team will be available throughout the development phase to support the artists.  
      • Selected Artists will present their final design plans to the Commission on Public Art in February 2026 as part of the finalization process. 
      • Fabrication: March – August, 2026 (Regular check-in with (Un)Known Project Team)  
      • Installation & Dedication of both installations: September – October 2026 
    • (Un)Known Project Artist Application 
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    • References  
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    • Additional Notes  

    • Insurance: Commissioned artist(s) must carry general liability and workers’ comp (or equivalent) during fabrication and installation; proof required prior to contracting. Artists and any subcontractors will need to list Louisville Metro and IDEAS xLab as 'additionally insured' while completing any work on Metro property and for the duration of the engagement. 


      Please note: Applicants are not required to send a design proposal at this time. Selected artist(s) will be offered a stipend to develop a proposal as part of the final selection process. 

      A Selection Committee will review RFQ submissions and identify up to three finalists per project. Each finalist will receive a stipend to develop a detailed proposal (concept, materials, engineering/installation approach, community engagement plan, timeline, and refined budget). One finalist per project will be awarded the commission. 

    • IDEAS xLab/(Un)Known Project  does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, height, weight, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, and/or marital status.  


      More information about the project or to submit your application, please visit www.ideasxlab.com/unknown

      Email unknownproject@ideasxlab.com with questions about the Call for Artists. 

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