QCDC & SSA 47 RFP: Public Art Fence Installation
QCDC & SSA 47 RFP: Public Art Fence Installation -
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QCDC & SSA 47 RFP: Public Art Fence Installation - 4401–4421 S. Cottage Grove Avenue
Quad Communities Development Corporation (QCDC), through its Business Corridors Public Art Advisory Committee and in partnership with Special Service Area (SSA) 47, invites artists to propose an original public art installation for the fence at 4401–4421 S. Cottage Grove Avenue in Chicago's historic Bronzeville neighborhood.
The project will celebrate Bronzeville's historic and significant businesses and neighborhood institutions, including restaurants, diners, entertainment venues, retail establishments, and other businesses that shaped the community's commercial and cultural heritage.
QCDC will collaborate with the selected artist to identify and finalize the businesses featured. Applicants are not expected to identify all businesses in their proposals.
Anticipated budget: Up to $25,000.
Anticipated installation: Spring 2027.
Submission deadline: Monday, December 21, 2026, at 11:59 PM CST.
When you submit this form, it will not automatically collect your details like name and email address unless you provide it yourself.
Project Scope and Artistic Vision
The fence at 4401–4421 S. Cottage Grove Avenue is approximately 6 feet high × 250 feet long. Dimensions are preliminary and must be verified before final design and fabrication.
The artwork should celebrate Bronzeville's commercial, social, and cultural history through original visual interpretations of historic businesses and neighborhood institutions. Examples include the Palm Tavern, Sunset Café, Savoy Ballroom, and South Side Community Art Center, among others.
QCDC anticipates selecting one artist to develop a cohesive installation. Continuous artwork coverage across the entire fence is not required. Artists may propose a coordinated series of panels, sculptural elements, or other installations spaced along the fence.
Artists are encouraged to incorporate business names, architectural features, signage, products, services, and other distinctive historical elements that reflect Bronzeville's commercial and cultural heritage.
Temporary Installation and Potential Relocation
The artwork is intended as a temporary public art installation, although no specific duration has been established. The installation may remain in place for an extended period, subject to site conditions and future property needs. QCDC may consider relocating the artwork to another location in the future. Artists are encouraged to consider durability, maintenance, and the potential for removal and relocation when developing their proposed designs and selecting materials.