Project Information

Bid Title

Pond-Dakota Mission Park Sculpture

Issuing Agency

City of Bloomington

Location

Minnesota

Published Date

Mar 16, 2026

Closing Date

Apr 16, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

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Bid Inquiries

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

Pond-Dakota Mission Park Sculpture

The City of Bloomington’s Office of Creative Placemaking and Parks and Recreation Department, in partnership with the Okodakiciye Dakota Advisory Committee, invites public artists to submit qualifications for the design, fabrication, and installation of a site-specific sculpture at Pond-Dakota Mission Park, a site with deep Indigenous history and connections. This public art installation will enhance the park’s sense of place and identity while reflecting the history, culture, and values of the Dakota people. The design may engage with Dakota culture, history, language, the significance of the site or its connection to other culturally meaningful locations, and perspectives from past, present, or future, providing an opportunity to inform and inspire all who visit, work, and live in Bloomington.

Eligibility
This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is open to applicants who meet the following eligibility criteria:
• Applicants must be 18 years or older who reside in the contiguous United States.
• Have demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Dakota history and culture, and experience integrating community engagement into the development of their artwork.
• Experienced public artists and artist teams who have completed or administered the budget of at least one commissioned outdoor public art sculpture with a budget of $10,000 or more in the past ten years.
• A demonstrated experience with or understanding of installations that address the climate and ecosystem specific to Minnesota.
• Finalists must have the ability to attend an interview and presentation of a design concept and approach to the project.
Project Budget - $80,000
The budget for this project is $80,000. This budget must cover all design modifications, fabrication, engineering, installation, foundations, infrastructure, site preparations, meetings, site visits, transportation of artwork, insurance, and other related expenses including expenses related to the design, fabrication, and installation of the sculpture. More information about the site and sculptural requirements will be made available to the finalists.

RFQ Deadline: April 16, 2026, 4:00 p.m. Central Standard Time

Deadline for Responses:

April 16, 2026 - 4:00 p.m.

Download Bid Details:

• Pond-Dakota Mission Park Sculpture

For More Information:

DANA CHOU

PURCHASING MANAGER

PURCHASING@BLOOMINGTONMN.GOV

Mailing Address:

CITY OF BLOOMINGTON
1800 W OLD SHAKOPEE RD
BLOOMINGTON , MN 55431
United States

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Pond-Dakota Mission Park Sculpture

Request for Qualifications

RFQ – The City of Bloomington’s Office of Creative Placemaking and Parks and Recreation Department, in

partnership with the Okodakiciye Dakota Advisory Committee, invites public artists to submit

qualifications for the design, fabrication, and installation of a site-specific sculpture at Pond-Dakota

Mission Park, a site with deep Indigenous history and connections. This public art installation will

enhance the park’s sense of place and identity while reflecting the history, culture, and values of the

Dakota people. The design may engage with Dakota culture, history, language, the significance of the site

or its connection to other culturally meaningful locations, and perspectives from past, present, or future,

providing an opportunity to inform and inspire all who visit, work, and live in Bloomington.

Eligibility

This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is open to applicants who meet the following eligibility criteria:

Applicants must be 18 years or older who reside in the contiguous United States.

Have demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Dakota history and culture, and

experience integrating community engagement into the development of their artwork.

Experienced public artists and artist teams who have completed or administered the budget

of at least one commissioned outdoor public art sculpture with a budget of $10,000 or more

in the past ten years.

A demonstrated experience with or understanding of installations that address the climate

and ecosystem specific to Minnesota.

Finalists must have the ability to attend an interview and presentation of a design concept and

approach to the project.

Project Budget - $80,000

The budget for this project is $80,000. This budget must cover all design modifications, fabrication,

engineering, installation, foundations, infrastructure, site preparations, meetings, site visits,

transportation of artwork, insurance, and other related expenses including expenses related to the

design, fabrication, and installation of the sculpture. More information about the site and sculptural

requirements will be made available to the finalists.

RFQ Deadline: April 16, 2026, 4:00 p.m. Central Standard Time

For more information about Creative Placemaking please visit blm.mn/placemaking

1|Page

HOW TO APPLY?

Step One: RFQ – Submit by April 16, 2026, 4:00 PM Central Standard Time

Please apply online through CaFE™ at the following link:

https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=17063

In addition to your contact information, you will be asked to provide the following:

A letter of up to one page outlining your interest in the project, approach to design, methods for

research and community engagement, relevant experience, and familiarity with Dakota history,

culture, and traditions as they relate to your artwork.

One-page biographical information or resume. If you have multiple team members, please

provide brief biographical information on each essential member but do not exceed one page.

Work Samples: up to 10 images of your recent projects (one of which should be for an artwork you

either produced or administered the budget for, valued at $10,000 or more which was completed

in the past ten years). Please provide a brief description and final cost for each. Follow CaFE™

image requirements: JPEG format only, 1200 pixels on the longest side, less than 5 MB in size.

Visit the CaFE Help Page , for more information on image requirements or for help resizing

images.

One-page listing three references who can speak about your ability as an artist and collaborator.

Include an email and phone number for each reference.

Do not submit a project proposal or design at this time.

We encourage interested applicants to learn more about Bloomington Creative Placemaking efforts by

visiting blm.mn/placemaking, and the Pond-Dakota Mission Park and its history by visiting blm.mn/PDM.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to inquire about any portion of the RFQ that is not fully understood

or susceptible to more than one (1) interpretation. Written inquiries are required. Oral communications

will not be accepted, except to confirm delivery of the proposal or written correspondence.

All inquiries, questions, or clarifications must be submitted by email not later than seven (7) calendar

days prior to the due date of this RFQ – Thursday, April 9, 2026 by 5:00 PM Central Standard Time.

Inquiries, questions, or clarifications submitted after this date will not be answered. All inquiries will be

responded to within three (3) business days.

Please email questions to: Kathryn Murray, Creative Placemaking Specialist at

placemaking@bloomingtonmn.gov. Any questions concerning the RFQ must reference the page number,

section heading, and paragraph. Please include “Pond-Dakota Sculpture RFQ Question” in the subject

line. Please do not ask other City personnel questions, as information gathered from other sources may

not reflect the correct position or interest and could result in disqualification.

A Questions and Answers addendum related to this RFQ will be updated as questions come in and can

be found at blm.mn/pondsculpture.

The City of Bloomington does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or

treatment or employment in, its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, this information can be

available in Braille, large print, audio tape and/or electronic format.

For more information about Creative Placemaking please visit blm.mn/placemaking

2|Page

Step Two: Selection of Finalists and Artist Notification – by Friday, May 1, 2026

The submitted qualifications will be evaluated by a selection panel composed of members of the Dakota

Advisory Committee, stakeholders, community leaders, and public art professionals. The panel will

select three finalists based on equally weighted criteria:

1. Quality of letter of interest including an understanding of the project purpose, and approach

to design and engagement.

2. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Dakota history and culture, gained through

research, collaboration, past work, or other relevant experience.

3. Demonstrated experience incorporating community engagement into a project.

4. Artistic quality and relevance of artwork samples.

Step Three: Selection of Artist/Team – Notification by Monday, June 8th, 2026

Three finalists will be selected and scheduled to attend an optional in-person site meeting on Monday,

May 18, 2026, and present their concept design proposal in-person or virtually to the selection panel the

week of June 1, 2026. Specific information on the design presentation and responsibilities of the

artist/team will be provided to the finalists. Each finalist/team will receive a $2,000 design payment

inclusive of any travel expenses. Payments will be made half upon signing an agreement, and half on

the day of the presentation. Payments are only available via check. The concept design presentation

should include visuals in the form of digital presentation, a scale model, drawings, or a combination of

formats. The presentation should also include: a detailed description of how the design meets the project

purpose; team members involved; past experience; a project timeline; ongoing maintenance needs and

related estimated costs, a budget outlining how the proposed sculpture will fit within budget parameters;

and how the Artist will incorporate engagement into the development of the sculpture design. This

project intends to comply with the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990. As such, finalists will be required to

document compliance with the requirements.

The panel will consider the following criteria when selecting the artist/team:

1. 40%: Artistic quality, alignment with project purpose, and structural integrity.

Is the concept design visually engaging, and does it reflect an understanding of the

project’s purpose related to Dakota history, culture, and values?

Does it fit well within the theme and context of the area?

Will the sculpture engage a broad audience in a meaningful way?

Does the design consider safety, accessibility, and material durability suitable for

Minnesota’s climate?

2. 30%: Experience and qualifications.

Does the artist/team have experience with projects including those working with the

Dakota community, municipalities, or community organizations?

Does the artist demonstrate the technical ability to execute a project of this scale and

complexity?

3. 20%: Timeline, budget, and maintenance.

Are project schedule, budget, and ongoing maintenance needs clearly outlined and

appropriate?

4. 10%: Communication and collaboration skills.

Ability to communicate design concepts clearly.

Artist/team demonstrates professionalism and spirit of collaboration.

For more information about Creative Placemaking please visit blm.mn/placemaking

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Pond-Dakota Mission Park Sculpture Timeline

Optional virtual informational meeting: March 26, 2026 at 5:00 PM via WebEx:

Virtual Meeting Link:

https://logis.webex.com/logis/j.php?MTID=m8b7ec8c3613e6b779c749d32f19d477b

Meeting number: 2869 931 0824

Password: Pondhouse2026

Join by phone

+1-312-535-8110 United States Toll (Chicago)

+1-415-655-0001 US Toll

Access code: 2869 931 0824

Submitted questions due: Thursday, April 9, 2026 by 5:00 PM Central Standard Time

RFQ – qualification proposals due: Thursday, April 16, 2026 by 4:00 PM Central Standard Time

(online via CaFE™: https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=17063)

(Do not submit a project proposal or design at this phase.)

Artist applicant notification and finalists selected by: Friday, May 1, 2026

Optional in-person site meeting for finalists: Monday, May 18, 2026

Design presentations by the finalists: Week of June 1, 2026

Selection of artist/team by: Monday, June 8, 2026

Installation of Sculpture: Installation should occur within 2026-2027. Finalists should include their

timeline in the presentation.

PURPOSE – WHERE AND WHY?

Dakota consider the confluence of the Mni Sota Wakpa (Minnesota) and Wakpá Thánka (big river re:

Mississippi) rivers to be the spiritual home and origin of their people. Bloomington is home to burial

mounds found throughout the bluff, and was home to significant Dakota Villages of the Lower Minnesota

River Valley, including Cloudman and Penasha.

Pond-Dakota Mission Park is the site of the historic Oak Grove Mission and the 1856 Gideon and Agnes

Pond House. The historic Pond House was the dwelling of Gideon Pond and Agnes Hopkins Pond from

the mid-1800s to the early 1900s. The Ponds served as missionaries to the Dakota Indians, and as

farmers and ministers in the young community of Bloomington, Minnesota. The park features many fun

and educational programs held in the house and park throughout the year, including Dakota cultural

programs such as an annual Dakota Language camp. The newest addition to the park is an Indigenous

Plant Arboretum featuring a wide variety of important Indigenous plants and shrubs. Projects such as

this honor the indigenous history of the site and act as learning tools for visitors to the park.

The Parks and Recreation Department manages an extensive system and hosts numerous activities and

events throughout the year. In 2022, Parks and Recreation facilitated the establishment of a Dakota

Advisory Group for the City. The group is called the Bloomington Okodakiciye, describing a partnership.

The roles of the Bloomington Okodakiciye, as determined by the Dakota members of the group, are:

For more information about Creative Placemaking please visit blm.mn/placemaking

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1. To establish an agreement of consultation and collaboration with the Dakota Community and the

City.

2. To implement a process for determining accessibility, land use, and educational interpretation as

it relates to the Dakota for land areas within the City of Bloomington.

3. To educate and make explicit that Bloomington is on Dakota homeland with culturally competent

historical accounts, Dakota language and signage, religious and cultural accessibility, and other

considerations as determined by the Dakota Community and Bloomington with attention to

cultural issues of importance. A Dakota public Arts project was determined by the Bloomington

Okodakiciye to be a good step in helping tell the Dakota story in Bloomington and the Minnesota

River Valley.

Creative placemaking integrates arts, culture, and design to strengthen and connect communities. In

2021 Bloomington’s Creative Placemaking Commission commissioned a South Loop indigenous history

report, “Lines on the Land: How Dakota Homeland Became Private Property,” written by Peter DeCarlo,

and presented by Dr. Kate Beane and Peter DeCarlo in 2023. As a result of the report, presentation, and

presentation attendee survey responses, the Creative Placemaking Commission prioritized highlighting

indigenous history in art projects. Since then, the Bloomington. Tomorrow, Together Strategic Plan,

developed by hundreds of community members, prioritized the outcome of expanding Creative

Placemaking efforts from South Loop District to citywide. During engagement for the development of the

Citywide Creative Placemaking Plan, the desire to highlight the indigenous history of Bloomington was a

prevalent theme. This partnership with Parks and Recreation and Dakota Bloomington Okodakiciye,

artists and community members aligns with community feedback and creative placemaking goals to

acknowledge and honor Native history, culture, and land.

LOCATION

The site of the sculpture will be at Pond-Dakota Mission Park (401 E 104th St, Bloomington, MN 55420),

the site of the historic Oak Grove Mission and the 1856 Gideon and Agnes Pond House. The sculpture

could be placed either in the area just west of the house or south of the house along the prairie overlook.

The area will be determined by the selected artist and approved by the City.

Area east of the house next to reestablished prairie.

Prairie overlook area, just south of the house.

For more information about Creative Placemaking please visit blm.mn/placemaking

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