3-D Opportunity, 135th & Holmes streetscape project

Overview

The City of Kansas City, Missouri One Percent for Art program seeks qualifications for a professional visual artist or artist team based in the United States to design, fabricate, and install permanent 3-D public art for a streetscape project at 135th & Holmes in the historic Martin City neighborhood. Two to 5 semifinalist artists will advance to the RFP phase and propose designs.

Key dates

• Questions due to james.martin@kcmo.org by Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 5:00 p.m. Central
• Virtual Q&A sessions: Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 5:30 p.m. Central and Thursday, July 16, 2026, 5:30 p.m. Central
• Submission deadline: August 10, 2026

Eligibility

Professional visual artist or artist team, at least 18 years of age, based in the United States. Collaborators and teams are eligible; resumes/CVs of all collaborators must be uploaded as a single PDF. All applications must be submitted through CaFÉ.

Media & format

• Images: 5–10 required
• Video: up to 6 files
• Total submissions: 5–16 files

Space requirements

All art must fit within a 20' diameter reserved space on the southeast corner of 135th & Holmes.

Budget & awards

• Minimum project budget: $270,000
• Semifinalist design proposal stipend: $4,000
• Expenses may include artist fees, travel, fabrication, materials, labor, permits, insurance, installation, and more

Selection process

The Kansas City Public Art Administrator will recommend panelists to the Municipal Art Commission. The selection panel will review resumes, portfolios, and letters of interest to select 2–5 semifinalists. Semifinalists will be paid a $4,000 design proposal stipend. The panel will interview semifinalists, review proposals and budgets, and select a finalist and one alternate. The finalist's proposal goes to the Municipal Art Commission for approval before contract development.

Questions

Contact the KCMO Public Art Administrator at james.martin@kcmo.org (816-513-3422) with any questions about the project.