Overview
The Freeport Art Museum and the family of Jack Myers invite professional artists and artist teams to submit their qualifications to design, create, and install an original work of public art for Arts Plaza that commemorates the life, legacy, and civic contributions of Jack H. Myers — philanthropist, veteran, community leader, and generous donor of the land on which the Arts Plaza now stands.
About the Project
The Arts Plaza is a vibrant public gathering space in historic downtown Freeport that serves as a venue for concerts, festivals, public art, and community celebrations. It is the centerpiece of the Freeport Art Museum’s growing Arts & Culture Campus. The Plaza exists because of the vision and generosity of Jack Myers. His gift of the property, together with his financial support, transformed an underutilized downtown parcel into one of Freeport’s most active civic spaces. The selected artwork should celebrate not only Mr. Myers’ generosity, but also the enduring impact of philanthropy, civic leadership, and investment in community. Rather than functioning solely as a portrait or monument, the committee is interested in artwork that inspires visitors and reflects the values Jack Myers embodied: generosity, vision, community service, optimism, and belief in Freeport’s future.
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)
Jack Myers Memorial Public Art Commission
Freeport Art Museum | Arts Plaza | Freeport, Illinois
Overview
The Freeport Art Museum (FAM) invites professional artists and artist teams to submit
qualifications for the creation of a permanent public artwork honoring Jack H. Myers,
whose extraordinary generosity made the Arts Plaza possible through his donation of the
property and significant financial support for its development.
This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is the first phase of a two-stage artist selection
process. Artists selected as finalists will receive an honorarium to develop site-specific
proposals for review by the selection committee.
Budget
The anticipated commission budget is $15,000–$20,000 for the selected artwork.
The commission budget should include:
• Artist fee
• Design development
• Fabrication
• Transportation
• Installation
• Insurance
• Any required engineering
• All project-related expenses
Finalist honoraria are separate from the commission budget.
Phase I: Request for Qualifications
Artists are not asked to submit design concepts during this phase.
Interested artists should submit:
1. Letter of Interest
A one- to two-page letter describing your interest in the project, your relevant experience
and artistic approach to public art, and a brief statement about why this commission is
meaningful for your practice.
2. Resume or CV
Please include public art experience and relevant commissions.
3. Portfolio
Submit 10–20 images of completed work.
For each image include:
1. Title
2. Date
3. Medium
4. Dimensions
5. Budget (if available)
6. Commissioning organization
7. Brief description
4. References
Three professional references familiar with the artist’s public art experience.
Selection Criteria
Qualifications will be evaluated based upon:
1. Artistic excellence
2. Quality of previous public artwork
3. Demonstrated experience completing projects on schedule and within budget
4. Experience with durable outdoor materials
5. Compatibility of artistic vision with the project goals
6. Ability to collaborate with project partners
Phase II: Invitational Proposal Process
Following review of qualifications, three to five finalists will be invited to develop
conceptual proposals. Each finalist will receive a $750 honorarium to prepare a
proposal.
Finalists may be asked to:
1. Participate in a site visit or virtual meeting
2. Develop preliminary renderings
3. Submit material samples (if appropriate)4. Prepare a written concept narrative
5. Provide a preliminary budget and timeline
6. Present their concept to the selection committee
The honorarium compensates artists for proposal development regardless of whether
they are selected.
Project Schedule (Tentative)
RFQ Released August 2026
Qualifications Due September 2026
Finalists Selected November 2026
Finalist virtual call December 2026
Proposal Submission February 2027
Artist Selected March 2027
Fabrication Spring–Summer 2027
Installation Fall 2027
Eligibility
This opportunity is open to professional artists residing in the United States. Collaborative
teams are welcome to apply, provided a single lead artist is designated as the primary
project manager and point of contact.
Experience with permanent public art installations is required. Applicants must show proof
of experience with structural fabrication, engineering oversight, and compliance with
public safety, accessibility (ADA), and liability standards.
Selection Committee
1. The selection committee may include representatives from the following:
2. Freeport Art Museum
3. City of Freeport
4. Jack Myers family representatives
5. Community stakeholders
6. Arts professionals
7. Project donorsThe committee reserves the right not to award a commission if no submission adequately fulfills the project goals.
Submission Information
Submit a single PDF containing all required materials to:
Jessica J. Modica
Executive Director, Freeport Art Museum
Email: info@freeportartmuseum.org
Subject Line: Jack Myers Memorial RFQ
About Jack Myers
Jack H. Myers (1928–2015) was a lifelong resident of Freeport whose generosity and civic
spirit left a lasting mark on the community. A veteran, businessman, philanthropist, and
supporter of numerous charitable organizations, he believed in investing in the future of his
hometown.
Among his many contributions, Mr. Myers donated the property that became the site of the
Freeport Art Museum’s Arts Plaza and provided significant financial support for its
development. His vision transformed an underutilized downtown space into a vibrant
public gathering place where residents and visitors experience art, music, education, and
community celebrations.
This commission seeks to honor Jack’s life, generosity, and enduring belief that investing in
people and place can enrich a community for generations.
Project Vision
The Freeport Art Museum and the Myers family seek an artist to create a permanent public
artwork celebrating the legacy of Jack Myers and his extraordinary contribution to the City
of Freeport.
The selected artwork should honor Mr. Myers as an individual while reflecting the qualities
that defined his life: generosity, humility, civic leadership, optimism, and a commitment to
strengthening his community. Rather than functioning solely as a traditional monument,
the committee encourages artists to consider how the artwork might express the enduring
impact of one person’s vision and generosity.The committee welcomes proposals that create opportunities for reflection, discovery, gathering, or interaction and that become an integral part of the Arts Plaza experience for generations to come.
Artists are encouraged to think broadly about the idea of legacy—how acts of generosity
can affect places they call home.
Design Considerations
While the committee welcomes a broad range of artistic approaches, artists should consider the following guiding principles:
• The artwork should respectfully honor the life and legacy of Jack Myers.
• The artwork should be welcoming and accessible to visitors of all ages.
• The artwork should be appropriate for a highly visible civic gathering space.
• Artists may choose representational, abstract, symbolic, or interactive approaches.
• The committee is interested in artwork that invites reflection and connection rather
than serving solely as a commemorative marker.
• Durability, safety, and long-term maintenance are essential considerations.
• The artwork should complement the existing character of the Arts Plaza while
establishing a distinct identity within the space.