The Hamline Midway Library, which has long served as a gathering place for families, students, seniors, and neighbors across generations, is currently undergoing a full transformation—co-designed with community members—to meet the needs of community members today and tomorrow.
Public art is a key part of this transformation, helping to honor the library’s legacy while looking forward. Selected artists will have a unique opportunity to contribute to a space that reflects the cultures of the neighborhood and central to the library’s and city’s vision for libraries where everyone belongs.
Saint Paul Public Library (SPPL) seeks artists and/or artist teams to create original, community-centered artworks to be installed permanently in the new Hamline Midway Library building (currently being constructed at 1558 W Minnehaha Ave in Saint Paul).
The construction of this building is part of the library’s Transforming Libraries initiative, which aims to reimagine library spaces with and for community.
Selected artists will collaborate with SPPL to present designs and create permanent artwork that reflects the diversity, culture, and values of Saint Paul residents—especially those historically excluded from public libraries and similar civic/public spaces.
We are seeking artists to:
• Create visual, sculptural, or multimedia artwork for interior or exterior placement at Hamline Midway Library.
• Collaborate with SPPL staff and design professionals to ensure site compatibility, safety, and durability.
• Complement the interior finishes of the space, and utilize the values, personality, brand colors, and guidelines in order to guide art decision.
• Deliver artwork that reflects equity, accessibility, cultural identity, and belonging. Consider the incorporation of elements around design thematic of native plants and pollinators.
This is a Request for Qualifications (RFQ), not a call for design proposals. Artists should not submit concept drawings or detailed project ideas at this stage.
More details and information for how to apply can be found here.
If you need to access the Request for Qualifications document in an alternative format, please reach out to claire.huber@ci.stpaul.mn.us.