Overview
The Rondo Community Library on Dale Street and University Avenue is currently undergoing a partial renovation to improve the library user experience for library patrons and staff.
Public art is a part of this transformation. The selected artist will help shape a renovated space that reflects the neighborhood and the library’s vision of belonging for all.
Saint Paul Public Library (SPPL) seeks an artist and/or artist team to create an original, community-centered artwork to be installed permanently in the Rondo Community Library lobby at 461 North Dale Street.
The selected artist 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 an artist to:
- Create visual artwork for an interior lobby space at the Rondo Community 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, and brand guidelines in order to guide art decisions.
- Deliver artwork that reflects equity, accessibility, cultural identity, and belonging.
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.
Eligibility
- Individual artists or artist teams, creative collectives are invited to apply.
- Artists based in or with a demonstrated connection to the Rondo or Frogtown neighborhoods.
- Artists who primarily work in 2D mediums are encouraged to apply, including those who identify as Rondo or Frogtown Saint Paul residents, BIPOC, immigrant, disabled, LGBTQIA+, youth artists, or artists with a history of community reflective design in their practice.
- Artists who live outside of the geographical boundaries of Minnesota are not eligible to apply.
Project Background: Interior Lobby Wall Mural
Budget: $10,000
- This not-to-exceed fee covers all expenses related to this project, including, but not limited to: artist time, equipment, materials, fabrication, installation, and any other required costs associated with the project.
The Rondo Community Library is seeking a hand painted mural on the lobby wall at the book drop and entrance of the library. This wall is a key visual point in a lively public space where people of all ages come to read, learn, gather, and explore. There is one wall section measuring 11.5’ x 10.5.’ There will continue to be an active book drop on the same wall, that book drop measures 33” x 33.” The mural should appeal across ages. Images of the wall can be found at the bottom of this RFQ.
The library is seeking artists/artist teams with experience creating engaging, site-specific murals that enhance the space without overwhelming it. This project encourages artists to thoughtfully consider how the mural will function as an anchoring feature within the library. Given its location and long-term presence, the mural should reflect a strong attention to detail, color, composition, and the overall energy of the space.
Selection process/Criteria and Timeline
Selection Process: Artist(s) may be invited into a semi-finalist round and be paid a stipend to develop one design concept to present to the selection committee.
The selected artist(s) will be supported through a design process, working collaboratively with the project team to develop concepts, receive feedback, and finalize an approved design for fabrication and installation.
Selection Criteria
Semi-final and Final artists selections will be based on the below criteria:
Alignment with SPPL’s values: Demonstrates an understanding of and commitment to SPPL’s core values—Connection, Innovation, Resilience, and the Power of Belonging—and reflects these values in past work.
Equity-centered approach: Brings an equity mindset to their creative process, including a demonstrated ability to create inclusive, accessible work that reflects and affirms diverse cultural identities, lived experiences, and abilities.
Community connection: Reflects a strong connection to Rondo and/or Frogtown. Artists are encouraged to demonstrate how their cultural background, lived experience, or artistic practice connects with or is responsive to Saint Paul’s Rondo or Frogtown neighborhoods.
Artistic vision and approach: Presents a thoughtful approach to creating public art that is engaging, imaginative, and responsive to both the community and the library’s architectural and design goals.
Collaboration and communication: Shows a collaborative spirit and openness to working with community members, library staff, and design teams throughout the development and installation process.
Experience: Demonstrated experience, skills, or artistic practice indicating the ability to successfully execute a project of similar scale or context. Evidence may include completed artworks, past commissions, exhibitions, collaborative projects, community-based work, or other examples that demonstrate the artist’s capacity.
Timeline:
Info session/FAQ - September 9, 2026 6:30-7:30 p.m. Register here.
RFQ Submission Deadline - September 21, 2026 by 5 p.m.
Artists Submissions Reviewed - October 2026
Artists Notified – By October 9, 2026
Design Concept Development - October 2026
Fabrication & Installation - November 2026 – December 2026
Installation Complete - By end of December 2026
Interested artists should submit the following materials in a single pdf:
- A resume that does not exceed two pages.
- A statement of interest that does not exceed 300 words or one page. Letter of interest should include your contact info (name, email, phone) and clearly outline your interest, creative approach to art, how your experience aligns with the project scope, and any connection to the Rondo or Frogtown neighborhoods, Saint Paul communities, or SPPL. We’re interested in your connection to the projects and your unique perspective, not polished writing.
- Up to six relevant work samples that demonstrate artistic quality and relevant experience. Include one artwork image list. Image lists should not exceed one page and be clearly labeled in accordance with your work samples with your full name, work sample numerical order, project description and budget. For example: Amanda Applegate, work sample 01 and project description.
Submit the above materials to: rebecca.ryan@ci.stpaul.mn.us no later than Monday, September 21 at 5 p.m.
