The Howard County Arts Council (Arts Council), in collaboration with Howard County, MD (County), is seeking responses from qualified, experienced public Arts consultants (Consultant) to plan, manage, and implement the commission of up to four (4) permanent artworks at up to four (4) County-owned facilities, parks, and community spaces.

Qualified Consultants are firms or individuals that have successfully managed large-scale public Arts commissions for government or private agencies and have demonstrated experience in public Arts planning and community outreach. The total project budget is $1.5 million with approximately $1 million designated for the four (4) artworks, $400k to cover the costs for the public Arts consultant, extensive community engagement activities, artwork concept fees, marketing and promotion, and a project manager consultant to oversee the fabrication and installation of the artworks, and $100k for HCAC temporary staff and contingency.

Anticipated Consultant start date is September 2024.

Anticipated installation date of one (1) or more public art installations is Fall 2026.

The selected Consultant will enter into an agreement with the Arts Council to provide the scope of services outlined in this RFP.

Project Description

In May 2024, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced a partnership with the Arts Council to create a new public Arts program to commission permanent public Arts installations from visual artists nationwide. Our aspiration for the new Arts For All program is to create a sense of place through iconic public artworks that will captivate and inspire residents and visitors for years to come. An online survey has been created to begin gathering feedback on the themes, types, and locations for the Arts For All program. Learn more about the Arts For All launch and the survey at:

Website Link: https://www.howardcountymd.gov/county-executive/Arts-all

Survey Link: https://form.typeform.com/to/MTjwb50G

Pictures from Announcement (including boards): https://www.flickr.com/photos/hocogov/albums/72177720317031363/

Through the Arts For All program, up to four (4) artworks will be commissioned for County-owned sites, yet to be determined. Artworks could include: Murals, Iconic Sculptures, Interactive Installations, Environmental Arts, Functional Arts, and More. Sites could include: Community and Senior Centers, Libraries, Government Buildings, Facades, Bridges, Gateways, Parks, Trails, and Open Spaces.

About the Howard County Arts Council

Since 1981, the Arts Council has served as the cornerstone of the arts in Howard County. Our mission is to enrich and uplift our communities by advancing the arts, artists, and arts organizations for the benefit of all. We accomplish our mission by providing a broad range of programs and services that ensures public access to diverse arts experiences. We are a multi-faceted arts agency that advocates for the arts, awards nearly $1 million in grants annually to arts organizations and artists, and operates a multi-disciplinary Arts center where we provide year-round arts programming and affordable studio, rehearsal, and performance space. Learn more about our programs and services at: https://www.hocoarts.org/about-us/