Mural Opportunity in Kansas City
Barney Allis Plaza (apply via link)
APPLY HERE -- https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=14936 -- The City of Kansas City, Missouri’s One Percent for Art program, in partnership with Petrichor Projects, HOK, and the McCown Gordon Design-Build Team, invites artists to submit their qualifications for a monumental public art commission at the reimagined Barney Allis Plaza, a one-square-block park in the heart of downtown Kansas City. As the city’s Front Door, this revitalized urban hub will celebrate culture, community, and civic pride, creating a dynamic gathering space that welcomes both residents and visitors.
This rare and prestigious opportunity invites an artist or artist team from around the globe to transform Barney Allis Plaza into an iconic cultural landmark. The selected artist(s) will develop a cohesive, site-wide artistic vision that integrates artworks into the park’s design, fostering an immersive and unified experience. -- PROJECT OVERVIEW --
The redevelopment of Barney Allis Plaza and the new Auditorium Plaza Garage will provide essential infrastructure while serving as a platform for public art. This site-specific commission will be a cornerstone of the transformation, elevating the plaza into a landmark space that reflects the spirit and ambition of Kansas City.
The reimagined plaza will feature green spaces, a dog park, an all-ages play area, flexible lawn spaces, and event plazas designed to accommodate both small gatherings and large-scale events. The commissioned artworks should enhance the site’s architectural and landscape design, creating an immersive experience that speaks to the power of public art to shape place and identity.
Shortlisted artists will be encouraged to consider both the plaza and the Auditorium Plaza Garage, exploring opportunities to integrate art across the entire site. The commission presents a global call to visionary artists who can challenge expectations, engage diverse audiences, and leave a lasting mark.
The artwork should be designed for all abilities, ensuring that Barney Allis Plaza remains an inclusive, welcoming space where people connect through shared experiences.
Artist Preferences
artist budget
$2,180,000
Artistic Excellence: The artist’s portfolio should demonstrate originality, innovation, and exceptional quality, showcasing an ability to create enduring works of art that captivate the imagination and inspire audiences. The applicant's work should contribute to shaping the park into an iconic, globally recognized destination that attracts visitors from around the world.
Relevant Prior Experience: The applicant has experience with projects of a similar scale and budget and has coordinated with multiple stakeholders.
Site-Specific Sensitivity: The portfolio reflects the applicant’s ability to create work that responds thoughtfully to the site's social, economic, cultural, historical, and physical context.
Endurance and Suitability: The portfolio demonstrates the applicant’s ability to create durable, long-lasting works designed for permanent outdoor environments, utilizing materials and processes suited to public art longevity.
Artists without this expertise are encouraged to collaborate with partners skilled in these practices. -- ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA -- This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is open to professional artists or artist teams internationally. Applicants with experience creating public art projects of various scales and budgets, as well as coordinating with multiple stakeholders, are encouraged to apply. Artists without direct experience in these areas may apply as part of a collaborative team.
Applicants must demonstrate:
A proven record of professional artistic practice, demonstrated through a portfolio of original, high-quality, and innovative work.
Experience executing complex projects, including a strong understanding of fabrication and installation processes.
The ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams, coordinate with designers and engineers, and oversee subcontractors or consultants as needed.
Location Preferences
approximate size
large
wall budget
Inquire for budget
Deadlines
Artist Proposal
03/28/2025Project Completion
12/31/2025Design Information
Reference Link
https://www.kcmo.gov/artAditional Information
The total minimum art budget for this project is $2,180,000.
A single artist or artist team will receive a minimum total fee of $2,180,000 to develop and implement a cohesive, site-wide artistic vision across Barney Allis Plaza and the Auditorium Parking Garage. The artist may allocate this budget to support multiple artworks within the site.
This all-inclusive budget covers artist fees, materials, fabrication, installation, and all associated implementation costs.
