The City of South Salt Lake and South Salt Lake Arts are requesting qualifications from artists or artist-led design teams to design and fabricate a permanent, large-scale artistic shade structure. This signature piece will serve as the functional and aesthetic anchor for the lawn portion of the Water Tower Plaza.
Location: Water Tower Plaza, 195 West Oakland Ave, South Salt Lake, UT 84115.
Target Area: Approximately 1,025 SF of lawn space.
Community Context: This is a highly visible public space designed for multi-generational use. The installation must be safe, durable, welcoming, and provide shade.
Commission Budget Up to: $90,000
**Links to the Architectural and Structural drawings can be found on the RFQ at sslarts.org/public-art
Deadline for Submissions: by 5pm MT on October 30, 2026
Qualifications must be submitted to the City of South Salt Lake by Friday October 30, no later than 5:00 pm MST (“Submission Deadline”). City is not responsible for proposals delivered incorrectly or for failure to receive.
Submissions shall be submitted through Jotform. Separate documents or attachments will not be accepted. Proposers wishing to verify receipt of the proposal may contact Ariel Andrus at aandrus@sslc.gov.
Submissions that are late, incomplete, or do not meet submission format and contents as described in this RFQ will not be accepted. The City reserves the right to reject all submissions or to waive any informality in any submissions if deemed in the best interest of the City. The City does not guarantee that a contract will be awarded following the submission deadline.
Project Goals & Vision
We are looking for an art piece that transcends traditional shade structures. The ideal installation will:
Provide Functional Shade: Offer relief from the sun for the 1,025 SF lawn area, making the space usable during hot Utah summers.
Act as a Landmark: Create a visual "destination" that complements the iconic water tower while establishing its own identity.
Incorporate Light & Shadow: We encourage designs that play with shadow patterns on the lawn during the day and integrated lighting for evening ambiance.
Ensure Durability: Withstanding Utah’s seasonal weather (wind, snow load, and UV exposure) with minimal long-term maintenance.
Project Scope
The selected Artist or Artist Team will be responsible for the end-to-end delivery of the artistic shade structure. This project requires a high degree of collaboration with City stakeholders and the architectural design team to ensure the artwork is seamlessly integrated into the Water Tower Plaza’s infrastructure.
1. Research
Site Analysis: Review existing site plans, structural drawings, and the architectural vision for the plaza to ensure the structure complements the surrounding environment.
2. Design & Development
Concept Integration: Collaborate closely with City staff and the project’s architectural team to ensure the design aligns with the plaza’s overall aesthetic and functional flow.
Schematic Design: Provide detailed renderings, material samples, and a site-specific plan for the 1,025 SF coverage area.
Final Design Approval: Refine the design based on feedback from South Salt Lake Arts, South Salt Lake Public Art Board and City leadership.
3. Engineering & Permitting
Certified Engineering: The Artist is responsible for providing stamped structural engineering drawings (licensed in the State of Utah).
Safety & Compliance: Ensure the structure meets all local building codes, including wind load, snow load, and seismic requirements. (Details below)
Utility Coordination: Coordinate with the architectural team regarding footings, foundation requirements, and integrated electrical/lighting needs.
Clearance Height: Bottom of the art structure must maintain a minimum 10-foot vertical clearance.
Attachment & Loading: Structural design must utilize the center line of the beams as the primary attachment point and withstand a minimum live/dead structural load requirement of 3 lbs/psf, subject to formal review and stamping by a Utah-licensed structural engineer and approval by the City structural engineering team.
4. Fabrication & Transport
Execution: Oversee the entire fabrication process, ensuring high-quality craftsmanship and the use of durable, weather-resistant materials.
Logistics: Manage the transportation of all components to the site at 195 West Oakland Ave.
5. Installation & Project Closeout
On-site Management: Oversee the installation of the structure in coordination with the City’s general contractor and architectural team.
Maintenance Manual: Provide a comprehensive long-term maintenance plan, including cleaning instructions and material specifications for future repairs.
Unveiling: Participate in the project's grand opening in May 2027 (date subject to change).
Program Schedule (dates are subject to change)
RFQ Opens
October 2, 2026
RFQ Deadline
October 30, 2026
Notifications of Top 3 Finalists
November 19, 2026
Finalist Orientation Meetings
November 23-November 27, 2026
Proposals due from Finalists
December 4, 2026
Community Engagement conducted by City Staff with proposals
December - January 2027
Finalist Awarded
January 14, 2027
Contracting
January - February 2027
Architecture, Design, Engineering Meetings
February - April 2027
Installation (date subject to change)
April - May 2027
How to Apply
Eligibility:
This opportunity is open to all artists and designers, at least 18 years of age, living in the United States regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender. Teams are eligible to apply but must designate a lead applicant for communication purposes. Artists applying as a member of a team are not eligible to also apply as an individual.
This RFQ is open to artists or artist-led design teams with demonstrated experience in:
- Large-scale outdoor installations.
- Working with structural materials (steel, aluminum, high-tensile fabric, etc.).
- Collaborating with municipal departments, structural engineers, civil engineers, etc.
The Water Tower Plaza is the heart of our community's creative district. We are looking for a design that reflects the spirit of South Salt Lake - bold, different, industrious, and inclusive.
Application Materials
1. Letter of Interest (Cover Letter)
Two (2) page max - Your letter should be a narrative introduction to your practice and your vision for the shade structure at the Water Tower Plaza. Please address the following:
Project Motivation: Why are you interested in this specific project and why is South Salt Lake the right environment for your work?
Suitability: Why is your team the most ideal choice for a project of this scale and technical complexity?
Approach: Describe your general philosophy regarding "artistic shade" and how you approach collaboration with city staff and architectural teams.
Relevant Experience: Briefly highlight past projects that demonstrate your ability to manage large-scale, permanent outdoor installations.
2. Professional Resume & References
Resume: Provide a current resume for each member of the artist-led team. Resumes must not exceed one (1) page per person.
References: Include three (3) professional references. References should be from past clients or collaborators on public art projects. For each reference, please include:
Name and Title
Organization/Company
Email Address
Phone Number
3. Image Documentation of Past Work
Applicants may submit a maximum of four (4) images total. These should showcase relevant past work or high-quality renderings of proposed (but uncompleted) projects. For each image, provide a descriptive caption including:
Title of Work
Year Produced
Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth)
Project Budget
Materials
Location (City, State)
Artist’s Role: Clearly define your specific role in the project (e.g., Lead Artist, Fabricator, Design Consultant).
Brief Description: A short one paragraph summary of the project’s concept or impact.
Obligations & Due Diligence
In addition to all other responsibilities and obligations associated with submitting a response to this Request for Qualifications (RFQ), it is the responsibility of each Applicant, before submitting a response, to:
Examine RFQ & Site Documents: Thoroughly review all RFQ documents, and site plans provided by the City.
Site & Environmental Familiarity: Visit the Water Tower Plaza site to become familiar with local physical conditions that may affect design, cost, progress, structural performance, or installation of the shade structure.
Condition Investigation: Investigate all applicable construction, fabrication, logistics, and site access conditions as they affect the cost, schedule, and execution of the Work.
Regulatory & Code Compliance: Consider all federal, state, and local Laws, Regulations, and Utah building codes (including wind, snow load, and seismic requirements) that may impact the execution of the project.
Correlate Observations: Carefully correlate personal observations from site visits and technical reviews with the requirements set forth in the RFQ documents.
Subsurface & Site Data Review: Review all available technical data, structural drawings, and exploration reports concerning surface and subsurface site conditions provided by the City.
Clarifications & Notice of Discrepancies: Promptly notify South Salt Lake Arts in writing of any specific conflicts, omissions, errors, or ambiguities found within the RFQ documents prior to the submission deadline.
The failure or omission of any Applicant to take any of the foregoing actions shall not in any way relieve the selected Applicant or Contractor of their obligations to furnish all required materials, equipment, labor, engineering, and services necessary to complete the contemplated project within the agreed terms.
Artist Selection Criteria
The South Salt Lake Arts Public Art Board, in collaboration with South Salt Lake Arts and City Staff, will evaluate applicants based on their ability to deliver a high-quality, site-specific installation. The selection of the artist or artist-led design team is subject to, but not limited by, the following qualifications:
Proven Professional Experience: A well-developed and successful body of site-specific public art projects of comparable scope and scale, evidenced through visual documentation of past work.
Conceptual Excellence: The ability to create aesthetically beautiful, conceptually rich artwork that actively engages the local community and enhances the public realm.
Project Management: Demonstrated ability to meet strict deadlines and budgets while performing work in a timely, professional, and reliable manner.
Collaborative Spirit: Proven capacity to consult and work effectively with City Staff and the project’s architectural team to ensure seamless project integration.
Technical Proficiency: A strong, multi-disciplinary understanding of art, design, engineering, and the complexities of the built environment.
Artist Selection & Proposal Process
From the initial pool of applicants, three (3) finalists will be selected to move forward. The process for finalists includes:
Orientation & Research: All finalists are required to attend an orientation meeting to receive detailed project materials and support. Finalists will have the opportunity to conduct site visits and undertake additional research or outreach to inform their artistic designs.
Proposal Development: Finalists will develop site-specific proposals, communicating their vision through scaled designs, 3D renderings, or physical models. Proposals must include a formal written statement, an itemized budget, and a comprehensive project schedule.
Presentation & Community Voice: Finalists will present their proposals to South Salt Lake Arts, South Salt Lake Arts Public Art Board, City Staff and project partners. To ensure the installation reflects the heart of our city, these proposals will be shared with the public, allowing the community to participate in the final selection to ensure the project reflects their shared values.
Finalist Stipend: Each of the three finalists will receive a $3,000 stipend to cover all costs associated with proposal development, including research, meetings, presentations, travel, lodging, and materials.
*Note: For the artist awarded the final commission, this $3,000 stipend will be considered an advance and will be deducted from the total project commission budget.
Artist Agreement and Project Assumptions
All selected finalists will be required to enter into a formal agreement with South Salt Lake Arts and the City of South Salt Lake specifically for the proposal development phase. This initial contract governs the expectations for site-specific research, community engagement, and the delivery of the final presentation. Please see Example Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A.
Insurance Requirements
Throughout the entire duration of the project, the artist or artist-led team selected for the final commission must carry and maintain all required general liability and professional liability, automobile insurance and endorsements necessary to complete a project of this scale and complexity. Please see standard certificate of insurance requirements attached hereto as Exhibit B. To ensure compliance with municipal standards, the City of South Salt Lake will provide the required insurance templates and coverage upon selection.
Performance and Payment Bonds
The awarded contractor/selected artist will be required to post a Performance Bond and a Payment Bond in the full amount of the project contract prior to the commencement of work. These bonds secure the completion of the project and ensure protection in the event of non-performance by the contractor, or non-payment by the contractor to any suppliers or subcontractors.
Copyright & Ownership of Artwork
The chosen contractor/Artist through agreement will transfer all ownership rights in the artwork to the City of South Salt Lake and South Salt Lake Arts, including all intellectual property, copyright, and trademark rights. The Artist shall not apply for copyright registration for the work. South Salt Lake Arts retains the right to license the artwork at its discretion. The Artist retains the right to use images of the completed artwork in their personal portfolio, website, and promotional materials. The Artist shall not be liable for any unauthorized third-party reuse or modification of the artwork.
E-Verify
The awarded artist/contractor must provide proof of enrollment in E-Verify prior to final contract execution.
Land Acknowledgement
South Salt Lake Arts acknowledges that the land on which South Salt Lake stands is the traditional and ancestral homeland of the Shoshone, Paiute, Goshute, and Ute Tribes.
We recognize the enduring relationship that exists between many Indigenous peoples and their traditional homelands. We respect the sovereign nations and the resilient village communities who have lived here for generations and continue to contribute to the vitality of our region today. In offering this acknowledgement, we affirm our commitment to honor the history and heritage of the original stewards of this land.
City Reservation Right
South Salt Lake Arts retains the prerogative to decline all submissions and reserves the right not to select any artist or proposal for this RFQ.
South Salt Lake Arts Mission
The Mission of South Salt Lake Arts is to enrich the South Salt Lake community by championing artists, creating accessible cultural experiences, and fostering connections that celebrate our unique identity.
South Salt Lake Arts Vision
At South Salt Lake Arts, our work is grounded in Uniqueness, celebrating the distinct industrial and creative character that sets our city apart. We create Opportunity by opening doors for artists and makers to thrive, while providing the Support necessary to turn creative visions into reality. Our goal is to Elevate the voices of our diverse community, ensuring that every project we undertake makes a lasting, tangible Impact on the culture and economy of South Salt Lake