RFQ City of Gainesville's Regional Transit System - Public Art Project From City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs

Applications Closed

  • Type: Public Art & Proposals
  • Geography: National
  • Submission Deadline: May 25, 2026 @ 11:59PM (America - New York)
  • Event Dates: Apr 21, 2026 - May 25, 2026
  • Award: Yes
  • Submission limit: 20 pieces

Submissions Closed

The City of Gainesville Regional Transit System (RTS), the primary public transportation provider for the City of Gainesville and Alachua County, is seeking qualifications from artists or artist teams to create functional public art for the new Eastside Bus Transfer Facility.
 
Since its establishment as a public entity in 1974, RTS has grown from a small private fleet into a high-capacity urban transit network. Today, it facilitates more than 4.8 million passenger trips annually and is recognized as a national model for university–municipal partnerships.
 
The Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (PRCA) Department, in partnership with Art in Public Places Trust (APPT) and RTS, invites professional artists to submit qualifications for this exciting public art opportunity.
 
Through this Request for Qualifications (RFQ), the City will pre-qualify three (3) or more artists or artist teams to develop site-specific proposals for creatively designed, functional artwork. Selected concepts should integrate artistic expression with infrastructure, enhance the pedestrian experience, and reflect the history, character, and values of the Gainesville community, while meeting all applicable safety and durability requirements.

Award Info:

This public art opportunity invites artists and artist teams to help shape a more vibrant and welcoming bus transfer station for the Gainesville community. We are seeking creative, thoughtful designs that integrate art into everyday infrastructure—transforming functional elements into meaningful public experiences. The selected artist(s) will create work that enhances the rider experience while reflecting the unique history, character, and values of Gainesville. This is an opportunity to make art that is not only seen, but used and experienced daily by the community. Potential projects may include, but are not limited to, artist-designed bike racks, benches, seating, decorative fencing, and tree guards—each offering a chance to bring creativity, storytelling, and visual interest into the public realm. Budget: $32,534.38 (all-inclusive) The budget includes artist fees, design, fabrication, permitting, footings and base, transportation, installation, and all associated project costs. Selected artists must carry a $1 million general liability insurance policy, naming the City of Gainesville as additionally insured. HONORARIUM Up to three (3) finalists will each receive a $1000 honorarium to develop and present a site-specific proposal (virtual or in-person).

Eligibility Criteria:

This opportunity is open to professional artists and artist teams with demonstrated experience in site-specific and functional public or private art installations.
 

 

Application Requirements:

Application Requirements:
  • Letter of interest (maximum 500 words) 
  • Current résumé (including name, mailing address, phone number, and email) 
  • Professional credentials, relevant experience, and honors or awards 
  • References for prior public art installations, including contact information and locations where work is currently on public display 
  • Digital Images of Prior Work (5 to 10) digital images of completed outdoor installations.  Images should represent same project and include both close-up and distant views to clearly demonstrate materials, craftmanship, height, scale, and context of work.

Contact

For questions about the application itself (application requirements, terms, etc), please contact us directly at [email protected]

For questions or issues with the application process (setting up an account, submitting to the call, login issues, etc), please contact Artwork Archive or call 720-900-5506

City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs