The City of Florence
Proposal Deadline: 08/12/2026
PART I – GENERAL INFORMATION
1-1 Purpose
The City of Florence is soliciting proposals from qualified professional artists or artist-led teams to design, fabricate, and install permanent sculptural artwork at designated locations within Florence Nature Park (7200 Nature Park Drive, Florence Ky 41042).
The City previously completed and adopted a Florence Nature Park Sculpture Art Master Plan identifying priority installation areas (Exhibit A). This RFP seeks complete proposals including conceptual design, fabrication plan, installation methodology, and budget proposal.
ArtsWave will assist the City in administering this RFP, coordinating communications, and participating in the evaluation process.
LOCAL AND REGIONAL ARTIST ENCOURAGEMENT
The City of Florence strongly encourages submissions from artists residing in Northern Kentucky and the Greater Cincinnati region. The City values artists who demonstrate an understanding of the community, its history, and the natural character of the Florence Nature Park.
While this solicitation is open to all qualified professional artists, proposals that reflect a meaningful connection to the region and an authentic understanding of the Florence community are strongly encouraged.
1-2 Nature of Solicitation
This RFP does not constitute an offer or contract. A contract shall not exist until approved by the City and executed by all parties.
The City reserves the right to:
• Reject any and all proposals • Waive technicalities or irregularities • Request clarification or additional information • Cancel this RFP at any time • Award one, multiple, or no commissions
The City shall not be responsible for any costs incurred in preparation of a proposal.
1-3 Submission Requirements
Proposers shall submit two (2) copies of their proposal in a sealed envelope. Please mark as “Florence Nature Park Sculpture Art Installation”. All proposals must be received no later than 10:00 a.m. August 12, 2026. Any proposal received by the city after the established time will be returned to the proposer unopened.
The City will receive proposals at the following address:
City of Florence
Administration Department
Attn: Melissa Kramer
8100 Ewing Blvd
Florence, Kentucky 41042
Each proposal must include:
1. Artist Statement
2. Resume or CV
3. Conceptual Design Proposal including:
• Narrative description of the artwork
• Renderings or digital visualizations
• Materials specification
• Dimensions and scale
• Structural or foundation requirements
4. Installation Plan including:
• Fabrication methodology
• Proposed timeline
• Installation process
5. Detailed Budget identifying all costs
6. Maintenance and durability plan
7. Three professional references
Late submissions will not be accepted.
1-4 Inquiries
Contact ArtsWave and the City of Florence
Please email rachael.parker@artswave.org and melissa.kramer@florence-ky.gov for any questions regarding the Florence Nature Park Sculpture Art Installation Application.
Responses may be issued in the form of written addenda.
1-5 Tentative Schedule
Issue Date: 07/16/2026
Deadline for Questions: 08/10/2026
Proposal Deadline: 08/12/2026
Completion Target: 06/30/2027
The City reserves the right to modify this schedule.
PART II – PROJECT DESCRIPTION
2-1 Project Background
Florence Nature Park is a significant public amenity serving residents and visitors. The City seeks sculptural installations that enhance the park environment, reflect the identity of Florence, and provide an engaging, durable public art experience.
2-2 Designated Installation Areas
Artwork shall be installed in areas identified as Zone 1, 2 or 3 within the Sculpture Art Master Plan (Exhibit A).
Proposals must address:
• Outdoor exposure and climate durability
• Public safety and ADA compliance
• Vandal resistance
• Compatibility with surrounding landscape
• Long-term maintenance requirements
2-3 Budget
The maximum available budget per installation is:
$100,000.00
The following costs will be borne by the Respondents: project management, fabrication support; on-site signage; publicity and promotion of the project; dedication ceremony; site preparation as negotiated; permitting: installation support and costs negotiated based on project needs. Proposals exceeding the stated maximum may be deemed non-responsive.
2-4 Scope of Work
The selected Artist shall:
• Finalize design in coordination with the City and ArtsWave
• Provide technical drawings and engineering documentation if required
• Fabricate the sculpture
• Coordinate any required site preparation with the City of Florence/ Parks Designee
• Deliver and install the sculpture at a predetermined date in coordination with the City of Florence/Parks Designee
• Provide written maintenance instructions
PART III – EVALUATION CRITERIA
Proposals will be evaluated by a Selection Committee comprised of representatives from the City of Florence, ArtsWave, regionally-based arts professionals, and local community leaders.
Evaluation criteria include:
1. Artistic quality and originality
2. Responsiveness to the Sculpture Art Master Plan
3. Durability and appropriateness of materials
4. Feasibility of fabrication and installation plan
5. Experience with public art or municipal projects
6. Budget clarity and cost reasonableness
7. Long-term maintenance considerations
The City reserves the right to interview proposers if deemed necessary.
PART IV – CONTRACTUAL PROVISIONS
INDEMNIFICATION
The successful proposer agrees to protect, defend, indemnify and hold harmless the City of Florence and its elected officials, officers, employees, agents, and representatives from and against any and all claims, suits, demands, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, or expenses, including attorneys’ fees, arising out of or in connection with any negligent or intentional acts or omissions of the Artist, its employees, agents, subcontractors, or representatives in connection with the design, fabrication, delivery, or installation of the artwork.
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
The Artist shall be and remain an independent contractor and shall not be considered an employee or agent of the City for any purpose.
NON-COLLUSION
By submitting a proposal, the Artist certifies that the proposal is made without collusion and that no City official has any direct or indirect financial interest in the submission.
PUBLIC RECORDS COMPLIANCE
All proposals shall become the property of the City of Florence and are subject to the Kentucky Open Records Act, KRS 61.870 et seq. Proposers acknowledge that submissions may be disclosed in accordance with applicable law.
TERMINATION
The City reserves the right to terminate any agreement resulting from this RFP for cause or for convenience upon written notice. In the event of termination for convenience, the Artist shall be compensated for work satisfactorily completed to the date of termination.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
The City of Florence is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The selected Artist shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local nondiscrimination laws.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND REPRODUCTION RIGHTS
The Artist shall retain copyright in the artwork in accordance with federal law.
Upon final payment and acceptance, the City shall own the physical artwork.
The City shall have the irrevocable right to photograph, reproduce, and display images of the artwork for governmental, educational, promotional, and archival purposes without additional compensation to the Artist.
The Artist waives any claim against the City arising from maintenance, conservation, relocation, or deaccession undertaken in good faith.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
All applications shall submit two (2) copies of their proposal in a sealed envelope. Please mark as “Florence Nature Park Sculpture Art Installation”. All proposals must be received no later than 10:00 a.m. August 12, 2026. Any proposal received by the City after the established time will be returned to the proposer unopened:
The City will receive proposals at the following address:
City of Florence
Administration Department
Attn: Melissa Kramer
8100 Ewing Blvd
Florence, Kentucky 41042
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
• First and last name (artist moniker, included in parenthesis)
• Email Address
• Phone Number
• Address
• Professional Website
• Social Media Channel (optional)
• Personal connection to Northern Kentucky, or the region (max 500 words)
• Biography/General Artist Statement (max 1000 words)
• Resume or CV
• Conceptual Design Proposal including: (1000 words)
• Narrative description of the artwork
• Renderings or digital visualizations (Attachments)
• Materials specification
• Dimensions and scale
• Structural or foundation requirements
• Installation Plan including: (1000 words)
• Fabrication methodology
• Proposed timeline
• Installation process
• Detailed Budget identifying all costs
• Maintenance and durability plan (500 words)
• Describe how your proposed work will add value to the City of Florence and Nature Park (1000 words)
• Three professional references
KEY DATES
Issue Date: 07/16/2026
Deadline for Questions: 08/10/2026
Proposal Deadline: 08/12/2026
Tentative Installation Completion Target: 06/30/2027
Contact ArtsWave and City of Florence for questions
Please email rachael.parker@artswave.org and melissa.kramer@florence-ky.gov for any questions regarding the Florence Nature Park Sculpture Art Installation Application.
