The City of Pasadena’s Cultural Affairs Division seeks qualifications from professional public art consultants to establish a diverse Prequalified List of individuals/firms with experience in the field of public art to provide curatorial and project management services for private development public art projects.
The purpose of this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is to enhance and add to the City’s existing list of Prequalified Public Art Consultants as part of its Private Development Public Art Program. Private developers/property owners within the City of Pasadena who intend to pursue an on-site public art commission, to fulfill their obligation as part of the public art ordinance, are required to select a consultant from the Prequalified List. Consultants are hired by and contract directly with private developers/property owners, not the City of Pasadena. Placement on the Prequalified List is not a guarantee of future work or consultant services.
Applicants who demonstrate professional-level experience and capability will be added to the Prequalified List. Staff conduct regular evaluation of consultants on the Prequalified List to ensure professional standards are maintained and up to date with best practices in the field.
Individuals/firms interested in applying are encouraged to:
- Review the City’s Private Development Public Art Guidelines (https://www.cityofpasadena.net/planning/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/Guidelines-for-New-Private-Development.pdf?v=1754069939172) and Public Art Master Plan (https://www.cityofpasadena.net/planning/arts-and-cultural-affairs/public-art-program/public-art-master-plan/)
- Submit application questions well in advance of the deadline to: Corey Dunlap, Public Art Coordinator, cdunlap@cityofpasadena.net
- Carefully review this RFQ and submit a completed application using the link provided prior to the posted deadline.
PUBLIC ART CONSULTANT SERVICES
A successful candidate for the Prequalified Public Art Consultant List will possess a broad understanding of public art and contemporary visual arts; proven top-notch organization skills; excellent oral and written communication skills; and ability to use Microsoft Office and Adobe products.
Consultants must have established experience working with private developers/business owners in the public art development process, identifying qualified public artists with demonstrated experience, issuing artist RFPs, managing artist contracts, oversight of fabrication and installation, public art project management services, and a track record of successful permanent public art exhibitions.
ELIGIBILITY
This opportunity is open to arts professionals, public art consultants and/or firms, based in the United States, with demonstrated experience managing successful public art projects. Qualified applicants must possess at least five (5) years of experience providing public art project management services for municipalities or other public art agencies, and be eligible to work in the United States. BIPOC and Pasadena-based consultants are encouraged to apply.
EVALUATION
The purpose of this application is to gather information that will be used to evaluate the applicant’s qualifications and alignment with the City’s established Public Art Program Guidelines. Cultural Affairs Staff will review and evaluate all completed applications for consideration. Qualifying applicants will be added to the Public Art Consultant Prequalified List. All applicants will be notified of the evaluation results.
Note: Placement on the Prequalified List is not a guarantee of future work or consultant services. Individuals/firms may be removed from the Prequalified List at the City’s discretion.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Consultants may only submit one application for consideration. Consultants must submit their complete application package through the application listed below.
The application package will require the following information:
- Consultant Identification:
a) Provide the name of the individual or firm, principal place of business, website, business social media account (if any), name of the primary contact person, email, and phone number.
b) Provide the names of principals that will perform the services and their resumes. Include previous projects, experience, education, credentials, etc. - Letter of Interest:
Submit a brief letter of interest outlining relevant experience completed within the past ten years that best represents the anticipated services listed in this RFQ (2 page maximum). Applicants are encouraged to highlight experience working with a diverse group of stakeholders including developers/business owners, design teams, architects, City staff, Arts Commissions, selection panels, artists, and community members. - Related Project Information / References:
Present at least three (3) comparable projects completed for municipalities or other public agencies within the past ten years that best represent your experience. Include specific project name, dimensions, medium, location, public art budget, brief description of project, client name/organization and contact person together with title, telephone number and email. - Rate Sheet:
A sample rate sheet that shows the different types of services offered and compensation, such as required project percentage, hourly rate, or flat rate for each.
DEADLINE
Applications must be received by 5PM PST on Saturday, November 1, 2025.
Submissions will only be accepted through the following online application at the bottom of this page.
The City of Pasadena, as a municipality, must abide by this application deadline in the interest of fairness in public processes. Submissions will only be accepted through the Jotform page listed above. Incomplete and/or late applications will not be considered. Emailed, faxed or paper applications will not be accepted. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit well in advance of the deadline to prevent missing the deadline.
For questions and additional information about this opportunity, contact: Corey Dunlap, Public Art Consultant, at cdunlap@cityofpasadena.net or 626-744-7547
