The City of Durham’s Cultural and Public Art Program (referred to as “City”) is seeking an Artist, Artist Team, or Artist and Fabricator Team (referred to as “Candidates”) with experience in creating site-specific public art installations at the upcoming Aquatics Center, located at the former Wheels Fun Park site on North Hoover Road in Durham, North Carolina, 27703. This project is part of a broader initiative to revitalize East Durham and Merrick-Moore Park, transforming the area into a vibrant recreational hub. The total budget allocated for this public art installation is $375,000, encompassing all aspects of the project from design through to installation. The selected artist will be under contract from 2026 through 2030.
The selected Artist(s) may be encouraged to propose more than one artistic element as part of a cohesive site-wide vision. Multiple installations, such as a combination of sculptural works, mosaics, fountains, or interactive components, may be proposed throughout the site, provided the total cost remains within the all-inclusive budget. Material options may include bronze, stainless steel, tempered glass, ceramics, durable composites, or other materials that fit the project requirements.
The goals of this public art installation are to:
• enhance the visitor experience: Create an engaging and visually striking art installation that complements the aquatic environment and enhances the overall visitor experience;
• reflect community identity: incorporate elements that resonate with the diverse communities of East Durham, celebrating local culture, history, and values; and
• ensure durability and safety: utilize materials and design solutions that are durable, safe, and suitable for a water-rich, high-traffic public space.
The selected Candidate(s) will work to:
• engage the community and residents of all of Durham with a focus on East Durham through in-person engagement sessions;
• develop community-informed designs for public artwork that visually connects to the site and/or recognizes historical and/or cultural aspects of the site;
• aim to beautify areas that are collaboratively identified by the community, City staff, and the artist(s);
• identify and hire 3–5 local emerging or mid-career artists to collaborate on design, fabrication, and community engagement; and
• design, fabricate, and install site-specific artwork that is integrated into the site.
For more information on this project visit: https://www.durhamnc.gov/5442
Request for Interest (RFI) document & questions
To read the Request for Interest (RFI) document, visit: https://www.durhamnc.gov/5442
This RFI and addendums are posted on the City Purchasing Division's webpage, here: https://www.durhamnc.gov/bids.aspx
Deadlines
November 10, 2025 -- RFI Opens
November 17, 2025 -- Interpretation and Translation Services Deadline
December 4, 2025, at noon, 12 p.m. ET -- Virtual Pre-Submittal Meeting for Potential Applicants, Register here
December 5, 2025, by 5 p.m. ET-- All questions due in writing
December 8, 2025, by 5 p.m. ET -- Addendum posted to the RFI
December 15, 2025, by or before 11:59 p.m. ET -- DEADLINE TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATIONS VIA SUBMITTABLE
Receipt of application
Applicants will receive confirmation application receipt via email from the Project Manager and/or Submittable upon submission. If a respondent does not receive confirmation of submission from the Project Manager and/or Submittable, it is the responsibility of the Candidate to contact the Cultural & Public Art Program prior to the RFI deadline to submit.
Questions?
Questions about the RFI process and forms must be submitted in writing by December 5, 2025, by 5 p.m. ET, to the Project Manager:
Stephanie Minor, Public Art Project Manager
City of Durham, General Services Department, Cultural and Public Art Program
The City of Durham’s Cultural and Public Art Program invites artists and artist teams to submit portfolios as an entry to join the City of Durham Pre-Qualified Artist Registry. This registry will serve as a resource for the program’s selection of artists and artist teams to create City cultural and public art projects. Access to a predetermined network of qualified artists saves artists and staff members valuable time by making the process for responding to the numerous calls issued by the City more efficient. It also strengthens and streamlines the program by maintaining a database of artists in the community with particular skill sets.
The application process does not have a deadline.
Candidates are eligible regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender identification, military status, sexual orientation, marital status, or physical ability. Artists who are selected to join the City of Durham Pre-qualified Artists Registry are encouraged to apply to any additional open calls issued by the City of Durham Public Arts Program, provided they meet eligibility requirements.
El Programa Cultural y de Arte Público de la ciudad de Durham invita a los artistas y equipos de artistas a presentar sus portafolios con el fin de inscribirse en el Registro de Artistas Precualificados de la ciudad de Durham. Este registro será usado por el programa como un recurso para la selección de artistas y equipos de artistas para la creación de los proyectos de arte público y cultural de la ciudad. Contar con un acceso a una red preestablecida de artistas cualificados le permite a nuestro personal ahorrar tiempo valioso al hacer más eficiente el proceso de respuesta a las numerosas convocatorias realizadas por la ciudad. Además, fortalece y agiliza el programa al mantener una base de datos de artistas en la comunidad con habilidades particulares.
El proceso de solicitud no tiene una fecha límite.
Los candidatos son elegibles sin importar su raza, color, religión, nacionalidad, identificación de género, situación militar, orientación sexual, estado civil o capacidad física. Se invita a los artistas seleccionados para el Registro de Artistas Precualificados de la ciudad de Durham a que apliquen a cualquier convocatoria abierta adicional emitida por el Programa de Artes Públicas de la ciudad de Durham, siempre y cuando cumplan con los requisitos de elegibilidad.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
If you have questions about the application process, please email dcab@durhamnc.gov.
Para más información sobre el proceso de solicitud para miembros del Comité de Arte Público, puede comunicarse con el personal del Programa de Cultura y Arte Pública al teléfono 919-560-4197 o al correo electrónico dcab@durhamnc.gov.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
If you have questions about the application process, please email dcab@durhamnc.gov.
Para más información sobre el proceso de solicitud para miembros del Comité de Arte Público, puede comunicarse con el personal del Programa de Cultura y Arte Pública al teléfono 919-560-4197 o al correo electrónico dcab@durhamnc.gov.