Bloomington Bicentennial Gateway Public Art Commission — US $125,000
A new civic art commission
The City of Bloomington, Indiana, seeks professional artists and artist teams to create a permanent artwork for the second phase of its Bicentennial Gateway project. The commission, managed by municipal Parks and Recreation and Economic and Sustainable Development departments, is intended to welcome visitors and reflect Bloomington's identity, creativity, history and communities.
Artistic brief and site
Artists may develop an abstract or representational concept that complements the gateway and inspires a feeling of belonging. The selected artist or team will design, fabricate and install a durable public artwork. Technical considerations include the site, foundations, weather exposure, structural drawings, installation access and public safety. This first application is a request for professional qualifications, not a requirement to submit a completed design.
Regional eligibility
The RFQ is open to professional artists and teams aged 18 or older residing in **Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky or Illinois**. Candidates must be United States citizens, lawful permanent residents or otherwise legally authorised to reside and work in the country. Full-time degree or certificate students, certain city selection-panel associates and artists with an active recent Bloomington public-art installation commission are excluded under the official rules. This is not a worldwide-open opportunity.
Commission budget and artist compensation
The total project budget is **US$125,000**. This allocation must cover the artist's design fee as well as engineering, rendering, materials, fabrication, transport, travel, insurance, installation, lighting and necessary site work. It is therefore not equivalent to personal take-home earnings. The city plans to select **five semi-finalists**, each receiving a **US$1,500 honorarium** for a developed site-specific proposal presented during the second stage. The first-stage RFQ itself does not guarantee a fee.
Selection and production timetable
The qualifications deadline is **4 December 2026**. The city expects initial qualification reviews in early 2027, notification of finalists during the week of 8 February, subsequent site visits and detailed proposals by 9 April, finalist presentations in April, selection by 7 May and fabrication or installation during summer or autumn 2027. The timetable may be adjusted by the city.
How to apply
Submit the required professional statement, project portfolio and other RFQ materials through the city's official electronic portal by the closing date. Hard-copy or incomplete applications are not reviewed. Applicants should read the full RFQ for references, images, qualifications and insurance expectations, and should avoid committing design resources beyond what the first stage requests.
About the commissioner
Bloomington is a city in south-central Indiana with public-art and civic-space programmes intended to connect local identity, culture and public life. The Bicentennial Gateway is a major place-making project celebrating the city and creating a memorable entrance for residents and visitors.
Official commission and application
Original opportunity and the full city RFQ linked by Indy Arts Council: https://indyarts.org/opportunity/city-of-bloomington-seeks-bicentennial-gateway-public-art
City of Bloomington civic application and service portal: https://civiform.bloomington.in.gov/
Official commissioning authority and project information: https://bloomington.in.gov/arts/public-art
Important information
This independently edited article is a reference summary of a regionally restricted civic commission. Read the city's official RFQ and portal before applying to verify eligibility, fee and total-budget distinction, engineering, intellectual property, safety, insurance, required documents and deadline. City-issued information takes precedence if any details differ. Reviewed 12 November 2026.