Request for Proposals (RFP) for Public Art Mural Commission
Issuing Agency: Waukegan Park District
Project Location: Bedrosian Park, 201 Liberty Street, Waukegan, Illinois
Total Project Budget: $15,000 (USD, all inclusive)
RFP Release Date: May 26, 2026
Proposal Deadline: June 12, 2026
1. Introduction
The Waukegan Park District invites professional artists and artist teams to submit proposals for a public art mural commission celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States to be installed at Bedrosian Park retaining wall. This project reflects the Park District’s commitment to enhancing public spaces, promoting cultural enrichment, and supporting professional artists through investment in high-quality public art. The funding for the project is provided through an Illinois Arts Council grant.
2. Project Description
The Work of the project includes designing, fabricating, and installing an original work of public art that responds to the identified site; reflects the character, history, diversity, and natural environment of the Waukegan community; and celebrates the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Artwork must be appropriate for a public setting and designed for durability, safety, accessibility, and long-term maintenance within a park district context.
3. Project Goals
• Enhance parks and public facilities through meaningful visual art
• Foster community engagement and sense of place
• Support professional artists through a funded commission
• Ensure public safety, accessibility, and durability
4. Site Information
• Location: Bedrosian Park
• Setting: Outdoor Retaining Wall
• Environmental Conditions: Exposed to weather
Wall at Bedrosion Park is approximately the following:
• 246 feet long
• 6.5 feet max height in middle
• 2 feet high at ends
• Slight arc shape
Additional technical details will be made available to the selected artist.
5. Budget
The total budget for this commission is $15,000, not to exceed.
This amount is all-inclusive and must cover all costs associated with the project, including but not limited to:
• Artist fees and design costs
• Materials and fabrication
• Transportation and installation
• Equipment, permits, and insurance
• Any subcontracted or professional services
No additional funding will be provided.
6. Eligibility
This opportunity is open to:
• Individual artists and artist teams
• Emerging and established professional artists
• Artists must reside in the State of Illinois
The Waukegan Park District encourages applications from artists of all backgrounds and perspectives.
7. Scope of Work
The selected artist will be responsible for:
• Final design development in coordination with Park District staff
• Fabrication and installation of the artwork
• Compliance with all applicable safety, structural, and accessibility standards
• Completion of the project by the agreed-upon deadline
• Providing post project maintenance and care recommendations
• Design and fabrication of the artwork to withstand normal wear and tear presented by outdoor/public display conditions for a minimum period of 5 years from the date of Final Acceptance. The artwork must be structurally sound and fabricated using materials and finishes suitable for long-term durability, resistance to weather, vandalism, and normal wear and tear typical of the installation site.
8. Safety During project
Selected artist is responsible for maintaining a safe environment at all times including but not limited to the following:
• Inform Waukegan Park District when Artist will be on site
• Place notifications to the public while working to not enter workspace
• Remove all equipment at the end of each workday
• Safely use equipment
• Park vehicle and/or trailer on the roadway and materials/equipment carried to site
Special Note: Failure to comply with this section in particular can result in termination of contract.
9. Public Contact
On occasion, the Artist may be contacted in some manner by residents/users of the park.
The Artist shall be instructed to inform citizens to direct their comments or questions to the Manager of Cultural Arts by calling 847-360- 4744.
10. Failure To Perform
The Waukegan Park District may terminate services automatically in the event of Artist’s failure to perform its obligations in strict accordance with the performance specifications by giving notice of such termination to Artist In such event, Artist shall be entitled to receive payment for services properly performed but unpaid prior to termination.
11. Method of Payment
Payment will be made within 30 days of receiving an invoice. If payments go to more than one artist, the invoice can reflect how much is paid to each individual or organization. A W- 9 must be submitted for each person/organization being paid.
12. Submission Requirements
Proposals must include:
1. Letter of Interest (not to exceed 2 pages)
2. Project Proposal (concept, materials, dimensions, installation approach)
3. Project Budget totaling $15,000
4. Work Samples (5 to 10 images of relevant work)
5. Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
13. Selection Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on:
• Artistic quality and originality
• Suitability for an outside location in a public park
• Feasibility within budget and timeline
• Demonstrated experience and capacity
• Completeness and clarity of submission
14. Acceptance or Rejection of Proposal
The Waukegan Park District may accept the proposal of, and award the contract to, the most qualified proposal as determined by and in the sole discretion of the Waukegan Park District.
The Waukegan Park District reserves the right to: (1) reject all proposals; (2) reject only certain proposals which are nonconforming or non-responsive to the requirements; (3) award the Contract to the proposal that best meets its overall objectives, as determined solely by the Waukegan Park District.
The Waukegan Park District reserves the right to waive any technicalities or irregularities, and to disregard any informality in the proposal when in its opinion the best interest of the Waukegan Park District will be served by such actions and in accordance with applicable law.
15. Selection Process & Timeline
• RFP Issued: May 26, 2026
• Proposals Due: June 12, 2026, at 11:59pm
• Review & Selection: June 15-18, 2026
• Artist Notification: June 19, 2026
• Contract Execution: June 19-22, 2026
• Project Completion: August 15, 2026
The Waukegan Park District reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or to waive informalities.
16. Ownership, Copyright & Deaccession
Upon completion, the artwork will become the property of the Waukegan Park District. The Artist will retain copyright under the Visual Artists Rights Act (VARA).
The Waukegan Park District retains the perpetual right to photograph and reproduce the artwork for educational, promotional, and archival purposes. The Waukegan Park District reserves the right to relocate or deaccession the artwork at any time, and for any reason.
17. Contract & Insurance
The selected artist(s) will be required to sign the Waukegan Park District’s Contractor Agreement and provide the required insurance.
18. Acceptance And Contract
The acceptance of a proposal will be in writing inviting the applicant to sign the Contractor Agreement and submit proof of required insurance; no other act by the Waukegan Park District shall constitute the acceptance of a proposal. The successful applicant to whom the Contract is awarded by the Waukegan Park District shall sign the Contractor Agreement and submit all required insurance within ten (10) days after presentation of the Contractor Agreement for signature. The Request for Proposal, proposal submission, Contractor Agreement, and proof of insurance comprise the Contract Documents. The acceptance of all Contract Documents by the Waukegan Park District shall bind the successful applicant to execute and perform the Work of the Contract. In case the awarded applicant shall fail or neglect to do so, he will be considered as having abandoned the contract and being in default to the Waukegan Park District. The Waukegan Park District may thereupon re-advertise or otherwise award said contract.
19. Interpretation of the Contract Documents
The Waukegan Park District shall in all cases determine the amount, type, or quantity of Work which are to be paid for under this contract and shall decide all questions which may arise relative to the execution of the contract. The Waukegan Park District shall have the right to make alterations in all portions of the product, including but not limited to concept, size, material used, and overall theme. If such alterations change the quantity of the Work to be done, they shall not constitute a claim for damage or for anticipated profits on the Work dispensed with. If an Applicant is in doubt as to the interpretation of any part of the Contract Documents, or finds errors, discrepancies or omissions from any part of the Contract Documents, he must submit a written request for interpretation thereof not later than five (5) days prior to submission due date. Address all communications to the Waukegan Park District as identified in #21. If an error or omission in the Contract Documents is discovered after the submission opening, the Waukegan Park District reserves the right (i) to determine whether to require the submission of new proposals or, (ii) if the error or omission is of such a nature that it was reasonably discoverable upon a careful review of the Contract Documents, to award the contract to the best applicant, as determined by the Waukegan Park District, and to require that Applicant to perform the Work in accordance with an issued correction by the Waukegan Park District. Such decisions are final and not subject to recourse. Errors and omissions made by the Applicant cannot be corrected by the Applicant after the quote deadline.
20. Submission Instructions
Submit proposals as a single PDF to:
Email: trohrer@waukeganparks.org
Subject Line: Waukegan Park District Public Art RFP – [Artist Name]
Late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted.
21. Questions
All questions must be submitted in writing to:
Ty Rohrer
Manager of Cultural Arts
Waukegan Park District
trohrer@waukeganparks.org / 847-360-4744