Patricia's Green Temporary Sculpture Loan: Request for Proposals

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PROJECT SUMMARY AND BUDGET

The San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC) invites artists and artist teams, as well as artists represented by a gallery or other authorized lender, to submit proposals for the temporary loan of an existing freestanding, large-scale sculpture for display in Patricia's Green, a beloved neighborhood park and civic gathering place in Hayes Valley, San Francisco. Eligible works must be fully realized, previously fabricated, and currently located in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The selected work will be loaned to the City for a minimum period of one year beginning December 2026, with the possibility of extension upon mutual agreement of the artist, SFAC, and the SF Recreation and Parks Department. The total project budget may not exceed $30,000 and is inclusive of all project-related expenses, including engineering, General Liability and Fine Arts insurance, any required modifications to prepare the work for outdoor display, round-trip transportation, installation and deinstallation, signage, and periodic maintenance and repair throughout the loan period. All costs are administered and managed by the artist or lender. An artist honorarium/loan fee of no greater than 20% of the total loan amount is included within this budget. Given the budget available, works located outside the San Francisco Bay Area are unlikely to be feasible due to transportation costs. The selected work will not become part of the San Francisco Civic Art Collection. This is a loan agreement only; the artwork remains the property of the artist or lender throughout the display period.

Patricia's Green has been continuously programmed with temporary, rotating sculpture since 2005, supported in part by development impact fees from the Market-Octavia Area Plan. With those fees now sunsetting, this RFP represents the final cycle of SFAC-administered programming at the site for the foreseeable future. SFAC is committed to closing this chapter with a work that honors the program's legacy and the neighborhood's longstanding investment in public art.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility is open to professional, practicing artists, as well as artists represented by a gallery or other authorized lender willing to enter into an Artwork Loan Agreement with the Arts Commission on the artist's behalf. Regardless of where the artist or gallery is based, the proposed artwork must be currently located in the San Francisco Bay Area. Given the project budget, works located outside the Bay Area are unlikely to be feasible due to transportation costs. Entries not meeting eligibility guidelines will be withdrawn from consideration.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The San Francisco Arts Commission is soliciting submissions for an existing, exhibition-ready sculpture to be displayed for one year at Patricia's Green, located in Hayes Valley at Octavia Street between Hayes and Fell Streets.

Patricia's Green is a popular neighborhood destination and one of the primary sources of public open space in Hayes Valley. It includes perimeter landscaping, seating, a lawn area for casual activities, and a children's play area, and spans two city blocks on the north/south axis in the midst of a vibrant commercial and residential neighborhood. The specific site for the sculpture is a round concrete plaza of approximately 26 by 37 feet, at the center of the Green and on axis with Linden Alley.

This newest installation continues a legacy of temporary sculpture at Patricia's Green that began in 2005 with a work by David Best, and reflects the program's long-standing partnership with the Hayes Valley Neighborhood and Merchant Associations, and the community's sustained advocacy for public art in this space.

Scale: Given the site's visibility within the surrounding streetscape and residential and commercial context, submitted works should be a minimum of 12 feet in height. Work of a smaller scale may be considered if its overall height can be achieved through elevation on a pedestal, and where there is a compelling artistic rationale or a meaningful connection between the artist and the Bay Area.

Site Constraints: The sculpture must be freestanding and self-supporting. No below-grade foundations are permitted, and no drilling into or anchoring to the concrete plaza surface will be allowed. Acceptable installation methods include mounting on a steel plate or a freestanding pedestal stabilized with weighted ballasts. Any proposed installation method must be accompanied by signed, stamped engineering drawings demonstrating structural adequacy and ADA compliance.

Maintenance and Conservation: The artist or lender is responsible for the maintenance and conservation of the work throughout the duration of the loan. This includes any periodic cleaning, structural inspection, or repairs required to keep the work in safe and presentable condition. SFAC will not provide ongoing maintenance support.

ARTIST SELECTION PROCESS

Arts Commission staff will review all completed applications based on selection criteria and develop a short list of artworks for presentation to the Artist Review Panel.

Artwork Review Panel: The applications will be reviewed by an Artwork Review Panel consisting of representatives from Arts Commission staff, arts professionals, and representatives from the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association to identify and recommend a specific sculpture for the site.

Arts Commission Approval: The recommended sculpture will be submitted first to the Visual Arts Committee (VAC), a subcommittee of the Arts Commission, and then to the full Arts Commission for approval. All Artist Review Panel recommendations are subject to the Visual Arts Committee and Full Arts Commission.

Recreation and Park Approval: Following Arts Commission approval, the project will be subject to receipt of a permit to display the work from the Recreation and Park Department. Permit approval is contingent upon the submission of signed, stamped engineering drawings and ADA compliance documentation

All Arts Commission meetings are open to the public and are posted on the Arts Commission website at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. To check the meeting schedule for public art projects, please go to our calendar.

ARTWORK SELECTION CONSIDERATIONS

Artwork will be selected in accordance with the criteria below. Per City contracting requirements, artist applicants registered as a Local Business Enterprise will receive a rating bonus of 10% relative to other applicants.

• Complete application submitted prior to the deadline.
  
• Exhibition readiness: The proposed work is ready for outdoor display or requires only minor modifications.
  
• Artistic Merit: Originality of concept and artistic vision; the degree to which the work engages viewers emotionally, intellectually, or spiritually; quality of craftsmanship and mastery of technique. Artistic merit may also be credited to work that reflects a significant or direct relationship between the artist and distinct racial or cultural communities.
  
• Site Appropriateness: Suitability of the proposed work to Patricia's Green in terms of content, scale, and materials, including compatibility with the site's physical constraints and the character of the surrounding neighborhood.
  
• Public Engagement: The work will appeal to a wide and diverse range of visitors, including neighborhood residents, families, and passersby, and does not require prior art-world context to be appreciated.
  
• Feasibility and Maintainability: SFAC staff will assess the practicality of installing and maintaining the recommended artwork for the duration of the loan, including structural integrity, suitability for outdoor display in a high-traffic public environment, resistance to weathering and vandalism, and anticipated costs associated with handling, installation, maintenance, and deinstallation.
  
• Public Safety and Accessibility: The work must not present a hazard to public safety and must comply with ADA requirements and all applicable codes. It should have no sharp edges or protruding components that could pose a risk to visitors.
  
• Artist Experience: The artist's background and experience are adequate to meet the demands of the project, including coordinating transportation, installation, and ongoing maintenance. Qualifying activities may include formal training, exhibition history, public or private commissions, artist residencies, or other indicators of a sustained professional practice.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are available through SlideRoom (https://sfgov.slideroom.com), an online application system for calls for entry. There is no charge to artists for using SlideRoom. Please be sure to allow adequate time to submit your application as technical difficulties can occur. Applications that are mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand-delivered will not be considered.

Applications will not be accepted after the Monday, September 21, 11:59 p.m. PDT deadline.

Application materials include:

1. Artist Information
   1. Name and contact information.
   2. Indicate whether you are applying as an individual artist, artist team, or through U.S.-based gallery representation.
      
2. Artwork Information
   1. Title, date, medium, dimensions, and weight of the proposed sculpture.
   2. Current location of the artwork.
   3. Brief description of the artwork (100–200 words).
      
3. Resume or CV
   1. 25,000 characters maximum. If applying as a team, combine individual resumes into a single document or submit a joint studio resume if available.
      
4. Letter of Interest
   Applicants should respond to the following questions. Responses may be brief—two to four sentences per question is sufficient.
   
   1. Site and Context: In what ways is the proposed work suited to Patricia's Green and the Hayes Valley neighborhood? How does the work's scale, materiality, and character respond to an active, mixed-use neighborhood park setting?
      
   2. Artist Connection to Place: Describe your relationship to the San Francisco Bay Area and the communities that make up this region. How does that connection inform your practice or the proposed work?
      
   3. Maintenance and Conservation: Describe the ongoing maintenance and conservation requirements of the proposed work and your plan for ensuring it remains in safe, well-maintained condition throughout the loan period, including any periodic cleaning, structural inspection, or repairs that may be required.
      
   4. Loan Administration and Logistics: Describe your capacity to manage the loan from start to finish, including coordinating transportation, installation, deinstallation, and any required engineering or equipment. All logistical and associated costs are the responsibility of the artist or lender. Please confirm your understanding of and ability to meet these requirements within the project budget.
      
5. Installation Requirements
   1. Describe the installation requirements for the artwork, including any equipment, engineering, or site preparation needed. Confirm that the work is compatible with the site constraints described in this RFP, specifically that it does not require below-grade foundations or drilling into the plaza surface.
      
6. Budget Narrative
   1. Provide an itemized estimate of all anticipated project costs, including transportation, installation, deinstallation, insurance, maintenance, and artist honorarium/loan fee. Total costs may not exceed $30,000. Costs are the responsibility of the artist or lender.
      
7. Images and Image Descriptions
   1. Submit 5 - 10 images of the proposed sculpture, including overall views, detail shots, and, where available, documentation of previous outdoor installations.
   2. SlideRoom accepts all image file types up to 5MB. Images should be at least 72 dpi and no larger than 1280 x 1280 pixels.
   3. For each image, provide the title, medium, dimensions, and year. You may include a brief statement (maximum two sentences) describing the work or its installation context.
      

Check out our "How to Apply to Calls" for helpful tips on how to submit the most competitive application.

Please note that Arts Commission staff will be available to answer questions about this call until 5 p.m. PDT on the deadline date, September 21, 2026. Please contact Paris Cotz at paris.cotz@sfgov.org, or 415-539-6213.

SlideRoom technical support is available Monday – Saturday by email, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. CDT support@slideroom.com.

PROJECT TIMELINE

Review Panel Meeting

Week of September 28, 2026

VAC Approval of Recommended Finalists

October 21

Full Commission Approval of Recommended Artist

November 2

Loan Agreement Completion

November 2026

Anticipated Installation

December 2026

TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR RECEIPT OF PROPOSALS

The Policies and Guidelines for the Civic Art Collection on the Arts Commission website apply to this RFP.

The issuance of this RFP does not constitute an agreement by the Commission that any contract will actually be entered into by the City. The Commission expressly reserves the right at any time to:

1. Waive or correct any defect or informality in any response, proposal, or proposal procedure;
2. Reject any or all proposals;
3. Reissue a Request for Qualifications;
4. Prior to the submission deadline for proposals, modify all or any portion of the selection procedures, including deadlines for accepting responses, the specifications or requirements for any materials, equipment or services to be provided under this RFP, or the requirements for contents or format of the proposals; or
5. Procure any materials, equipment or services specified in this RFP by any other means.

Anticipated Term of Resulting Contract(s)

The contract to be awarded to the approved artist shall be non-exclusive, with an original term to be determined at the time of contract award based on the anticipated project schedule, and can be amended for extension, but shall not exceed ten (10) years unless otherwise approved by the Board of Supervisors.

Anticipated Not to Exceed Amount of Resulting Contract(s)

The Not-to-Exceed (NTE) amount of a contract to be awarded to the approved artist shall be determined at the time of contract award based on project budget.

Local Business Enterprise Goals and Participation

The requirements of the Local Business Enterprise (LBE) and Non-Discrimination in Contracting Ordinance set forth in Chapter 14B of the San Francisco Administrative Code (collectively the “LBE Ordinance”) shall apply to this RFP, where applicable. CMD has waived the Subcontracting Participation Requirements for this Solicitation and for any Contract arising from this Solicitation. However, CMD LBE certified prime proposers are eligible to receive an LBE rating bonus at each phase of the selection process.  No CMD forms are required to be submitted with the proposal. For more information on CMD certification and requirements, visit this page or contact Melinda Kanios, CMD Contract Compliance Officer for the Arts Commission at melinda.kanios@sfgov.org.

Non-Discrimination and Equal Benefits Ordinance

The City and County of San Francisco, in its effort to provide equality of opportunity and equality of benefits, requires that individuals and businesses doing business with the City comply with Sections 12B and 12D of the Administrative Code.  This requires that if you are an employer, and if you provide health or other benefits to the spouses of your employees, you must provide equal benefits to the registered domestic partners of your employees.  This section also requires demonstration of good faith efforts to hire local disadvantaged business enterprises.  More information on these policies may be found at:http://sfgsa.org/ftp/HRC_for_GSA/uploadedfiles/sfhumanrights/docs/ResourceMaterials9-07.pdf

Americans with Disabilities Act

The selected artist(s) will be required to comply with Americans for Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements in addition to related federal, state and locals codes and will be encouraged to develop artwork(s) sensitive to programmatic as well as physical accessibility issues in cooperation with the Arts Commission and disabled communities.

Minimum Compensation Ordinance (MCO) 

(This requirement only pertains to artists who have over 20 employees, or artists who may have their artwork fabricated by a company with over 20 employees.) The selected artist(s) will be required to agree to comply fully with and be bound by the provisions of the Minimum Compensation Ordinance (MCO), as set forth in S.F. Administrative Code Chapter 12P. Generally, this Ordinance requires contractors to provide employees covered by the Ordinance who do work funded under the contract with hourly gross compensation and paid and unpaid time off that meet certain minimum requirements.  For the contractual requirements of the MCO, see paragraph 42 of the Ordinance. Additional information regarding the MCO is available on the web at: http://www.sfgsa.org/index.aspx?page=403.

Health Care Accountability Ordinance (HCAO)

(This requirement only pertains to artists who have over 20 employees, or artists who may have their artwork fabricated by a company with over 20 employees.) The selected artist will be required to agree to comply fully with and be bound by the provisions of the Health Care Accountability Ordinance (HCAO), as set forth in S.F. Administrative Code Chapter 12Q.  Artists should consult the San Francisco Administrative Code to determine their compliance obligations under this chapter. Additional information regarding the HCAO is available on the web at http://sfgsa.org/index.aspx?page=407.

Required Forms and Contracts

In addition to the proposal MOU, as part of the City’s contracting process, the artist selected and approved by the Arts Commission will be asked to enter into contract with the City and County of San Francisco for the entire duration of the project. Artist applicants should review the Arts Commission standard template contract which can be found on the Arts Commission website: http://www.sfartscommission.org/pubartcollection/documents/pa03-sample-artist-contract/. While some items specific to individual projects such as scope of work, payment schedule and schedule of deliverables may be negotiated, the terms of the contract will not be changed.  Depending upon the specific scope of the project, prior to the issuance and throughout the duration of the contract, the artist will also be required to maintain a San Francisco business tax license, go through the Vendor set-up process, fill out specific documents from the Human Rights Commission and will be required to carry various types of insurance, including Automobile Liability, General Liability, Fine Arts, and other insurance as required by the City.

The information contained herein does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract, and these provisions are subject to change.

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