RFQ: Public Art on the Turkey Creek Streamway Trail

Project Overview

The City of Merriam and Merriam Public Art Committee invite public artists to submit qualifications for the design, fabrication, and installation of an interactive artistic sculpture which will be located on the Turkey Creek Streamway Trail, serving as a striking focal point within the landscape. The sculpture should be unique and specific to the site. The sculpture should have a theme drawing from nature, providing an opportunity to inform and inspire visitors. The sculpture design must be inclusive, featuring accessible elements that ensure safety and accommodate a wide range of abilities and ages. It should also be engineered to include climbable features that allow for safe interaction by people of all abilities. Materials must be durable and appropriate for exterior applications within the climate of eastern Kansas. Artists should review the Public Art Master Plan to better understand the series of guidelines and recommendation in implementing a successful project.

About Merriam

Merriam, Kansas, is both bustling and serene. Occupying a four-square-mile sliver of northeast Johnson County, it is one of many communities comprising the Kansas City metropolitan area. Located along I-35 just eight miles south of downtown Kansas City, Merriam is a welcoming, peaceful, tight-knit community that is small in size, but big at heart. 

Our residents enjoy a wide variety of amenities and services including beautiful tree-lined streets, walking trails, plentiful parks, public art, and abundant community events. With affordable housing in safe neighborhoods, an award-winning school district, and our convenient location, Merriam is the ideal community to call home.

Project Goals

The project should foster place-based pride, engage residents and visitors, draw attention to and beautify public space, and position Merriam as a vibrant community supportive of arts and culture. 

Desired placemaking outcome(s): 

• Engagement – Enhance our community’s vibrancy and quality of life by inviting people to engage with art as learners, collaborators, or explorers.
• City Identity – Welcome visitors to the Streamway Trail.
• Inclusivity -  Feature accessible elements that ensure safety and accommodate a wide range of abilities and ages.

• Creative Class – Highly visible project that represents values and makes Merriam known for the arts.

Artists are encouraged to review Merriam’s Public Art and Placemaking Master Plan to learn more about the placemaking goals and the themes for artwork preferred by the community. For more information about the City of Merriam and our public art program, visit merriam.org/publicart.

Site

The Streamway Trail site is located near 6901 Knox St., Merriam, KS 66203. The sculpture will be located in the open field next to the butterfly garden, across from the Merriam Public Works facility.

Specifications

View the area across from Merriam City Public Works facility next to the Turkey Creek Streamway Trail. 

Artists must consider long-term conservation and maintenance of public art. This project is in a public space and will be exposed to physical stresses and potential vandalism. 

Budget

$250,000

The budget for this project is $250,000. The final artist/team selected is responsible for using this contract amount for all costs associated with the project, including, but not limited to: the artist's design fee, artist's assistant costs, other consultation fees, insurance, tools, equipment, materials, supplies, fabrication, transportation, installation, travel to and from the site, per diem expenses, project documentation, a contingency to cover unexpected expenses, and any other costs. The selected artist and any subcontractors they use will be required to have insurance. The amount and type may vary depending on the nature of the proposal.

Schedule

All dates except the submission deadline are approximate and subject to change.

June 5, 2026: Call for Artists / Request for Qualifications Deadline

Late June: Select semi-finalists

Mid July: Site visit / briefing session with semi-finalists

Late July: Semi-finalist presentations/interviews; Select final artist

Application Requirements

Artists or artist teams interested in this project are not being asked to develop a specific proposal at this time. Interested artists should submit the following materials:

1. Artist Statement / Letter of Interest: A brief statement (up to one page) outlining your interest in and vision for this project; relevant experience or collaboration with municipal governments, approach to design and reference to the how the art meets the guidelines and recommendations of thePublic Art Master Planand your conceptual approach to public art.
2. Resume: One-page biographical information or resume.
3. Portfolio: Up to 10 images of recent relevant art projects (one of which should be for an outdoor art sculpture completed within the last 10 years with a budget of $20,000 or more). Please provide a brief description of the projects and final cost for each.
4. References: Contact information for at least three professional references who can speak to your qualifications and past work experience.

Artist teams should submit one Letter of Interest, a resume for each artist, an artist statement for each artist plus a combined statement, 10 images total, at least one reference per artist.