About the Project

Funded through the City of Sacramento’s 2% for public art ordinance, the Sacramento Office of Arts and Culture (OAC) Art in Public Places (APP) program has been tasked with management of a new Public Art Project for the newly renovated Martin Luther King, Jr. Library (MLK Library) located at 7340 24th St. Bypass in Sacramento, CA. The city is soliciting an artist to design and install public art for this library location focusing on the current public entrance to the library, now accessed through the library parking lot. The ideal envisioned proposal and artwork will be three-dimensional sculptural artwork that can be installed on one or two entrance walls leading into the main doors. While the artwork may be figurative, abstract, or non-objective in design, the artwork should speak to the theme of civil rights and may be realized as sculptural relief panels or a series of constructed panels that can be installed directly on the brick walls leading to the front door entrance. Painted murals directly on the brick are not an acceptable medium for this commission opportunity. Professional artists who specialize in sculpture, sculptural relief panels, site specific design, or environmental installations are encouraged to apply. Additional consideration will be given to artists who have prior experience with or connections to the south Sacramento area and communities.

Total Award Amount: $151,500

Deadline for Submissions: Monday, October 26, 2026 at 11:59 PM

Apply Online: https://saccityarts.submittable.com/submit

An Information Session was held Monday, October 12, 2026 from 12pm – 1pm, the recording is in the information packet accessible through the link below.

Questions: app@cityofsacramento.org

FAQ about the Request for Qualifications

Question: Can I schedule a short consultation meeting or send you my application or designs for review?

Answer: NO. Staff is not able to discuss individual proposal ideas, have introductory meetings, or discuss artist's work regarding this commission while the RFQ is still open for submissions. We are available to assist with questions or technical issues when applying via Submittable. 

Question: Is polytab a suitable medium?

Answer: That depends. Polytab (aka parachute cloth) murals applied directly on the wall are NOT acceptable for this call. Polytab as part of a larger mixed media or sculptural project may be acceptable.

Question:  Would the city pay for lighting elements for this installation?

Answer: NO. Any lighting will be considered part of the art installation. All permitting, design and installation of the lighting would be the resposibility of the artist. There are no additional funds for lighting. Additionally, please consider that there is limited programming at the library after dark and the installation site is not visible from the street.

Question:  Can you apply both as an individual and as a team?

Answer: That depends. You can only apply as the SUBMITTER on one application, so if you have applied as an individual and you are also part of a team application, you cannot be the submitter for the team. Team roles and  responsiobilities can be determined by the team independent of who submits the application. For example, the team leader does not need to be the application submitter.

Question: Would a dimensional mixed-media concept meet the project’s requirements, for example, painted/fabricated panels with sculptural relief elements that physically project outward from the wall?

Answer: YES. Relief work is described in the RFQ as one of the types of artwork we are looking fowill be considering.

Question: Will you accept a painted mural design?

Answer: NO, Unfortunately, proposals for murals painted directly on the wall will NOT be accepted for this installation. An image of murals as past work may be submitted in your application for review. No designs are being reviewed for this commission at this time.

Question: Would you consider a mosaic work for this site?

Answer: YES. Mosaics are acceptable for this site.

Question:   What is the difference between a CV (Cirriculum Vitae) and a Resume - and which is required?

Anxwer:   Strictly speaking a Curriculum Vitae is a comprehensive document that outlines your entire academic and professional accomplishments to date. The Latin literally means "course of ones' life" whereas a resume is an abbreviated record of your professional and academic accomplishments often tailored to the specific position for which the person requesting the resume is soliciting. In this case, resume is the appropriate term as you should tailor your resume to those commisions, exhibitions, work accomplishments, and education that best define you for this particular commission opportunity. Do not provide a multipage comprehensive CV. Additionally,, we require that your resume only be two pages maximum for an individual submission, but if you are applying as a team, you and your teammates can each only submit a one-page resume. These details are included beneath the section where you upload your resume. So, the advice is to be thoughtful about what you include that will best represent you for this opportunity.

Question:  If applying as a team, can each person submit a separate resumee?

Answer:  Yes. There is a two-page limit for resumes from individual artists, but each artist from a team submission can and should provide a separate one-page resume.. Be brief and thoughtful about what you chose to include that will best represent you for this opportunity.

Question:  If applying as a team, does each team member submit a separate artist statement?

Answer:  NO. Again, instructions for this section are below the area where you upload. In this case, the team submits one Artist's statement. Per the instructions, "the statement should clearly describe the contribution of each collaborator. Artist Teams may submit one statement with a maximum of 350 words." So, an individual applicant can only submit an up to 250 word statement, but the team statement gives you a bit more space with up to 350.

Question:  Can we only include one slide per project or can we add more?

Answer:  You may have more than one slide referring to the same project, however, YOU SHOULD NOT PUT TWO OR MORE UNRELATED PROJECTS ON THE SAME SLIDE. The application guidelines for this are as follows: "A maximum of ten (10) files: jpg only file format with corresponding file names to match the Support Description list. Each file should document only one project. Teams should show works created as a team, if possible." The key here is not to combine projects in one slide. For example, you could use your entire 10 file submission limit to document only one project. This is NOT recommended, but you would be within the guidelines. If you have an important project, sometimes it makes sense to submit a shot of the final project as one slide/file and then a detail or process slide as a separate file. Especially, if it's an important project for you. That said, you could also have a main image in your slide/file with smaller images of process or details to the side in the same file. All the images in the slide/file are of the same project, so you are within the guidelines.

Question:  Can City Staff be used as a reference?

Answer:  Yes, there is no restriction on listing a city staff member as a reference, if you have done work for them or they know of your work in a professional context. Even if one of your references ended up being a Selection Panel member, that is still fine. The references are only contacted if you have made it to a final selection stage. And, both myself or a panel member can always speak freely about their experience with a particular applicant if the panel has requested that opinion.

Question:  What can I do to make my application more competitive?

Answer: Please read the RFQ carefully. Fill out the application completely. and submit GOOD images of your past work. Also, please try to attend the information session on Monday October 12th from 12 – 1pm. There may be questions and insights from other applicants that you may find useful.