Project Information

Bid Title

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) RFQ No. 2026-159-PR, Morrow County Courthouse Art Commission

Issuing Agency

Morrow County

Location

Oregon

Published Date

Apr 30, 2026

Closing Date

Jun 15, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) RFQ No. 2026-159-PR, Morrow County Courthouse Art Commission

Bid/RFP Status:

Open - accepting bids and proposals

Bid/RFP Due Date:

Monday, June 15, 2026 - 2:00pm

Bid/RFP Reference Number:

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ No. 2026-159-PR) Morrow County Courthouse Art Commission

MORROW COUNTY, OREGON

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ No. 2026-159-PR)

Morrow County Courthouse Art Commission

Morrow County is seeking qualifications from professional artists or artist teams for a public art commission as part of the new Morrow County Courthouse project. This opportunity includes the design, fabrication, and installation of a sculptural artwork to be featured in the courthouse’s central stair.

The anticipated budget for the project is $150,000, inclusive of all costs.

Eligibility: Oregon-based professional artists and artist teams are encouraged to apply. Artists from traditionally or currently underserved communities are strongly encouraged to submit qualifications.

Submission Deadline:

2:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday, June 15, 2026

Complete RFQ details, submission requirements, and addenda are available at:

https://www.morrowcountyor.gov/rfps

Morrow County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Supporting Documents

RFQ for Courhouse Art Commission (2 MB)

Attachment Preview

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)

RFQ No. 2026-159-PR, Morrow County Courthouse Art Commission

Morrow County Courthouse – Art Commission Opportunity

The Morrow County Courthouse project represents a significant civic investment in the future of the community—

providing a modern, secure, and welcoming facility that reflects both the dignity of the judicial system and the spirit

of the region it serves. Designed as a central gathering place for public life, the new courthouse will house

courtrooms, administrative offices, and community-support spaces within a building that emphasizes transparency,

accessibility, and long-term stewardship.

At the heart of the building, a central connecting stair offers a unique opportunity for a sculptural art installation.

This highly visible vertical volume—experienced by visitors, jurors, staff, and community members alike—creates a

natural focal point for an artwork that celebrates the land, history, and cultural narratives of Morrow County. Artists

are invited to consider how this installation might evoke the rolling wheat fields, river corridors, agricultural

heritage, Indigenous history, and layered geological formations that define the region. The artwork should enhance

the architectural experience of movement and connection, transforming the stair into a moment of reflection and

identity within the civic journey. Durable materials, thoughtful integration with lighting and building systems, and

sensitivity to security and maintenance considerations will be essential to ensure the installation serves the

community for generations to come.

Submission Deadline

2:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Monday, June 15, 2026.

Eligibility

Oregon professional artists and artist teams are eligible to apply. Artists from traditionally or currently underserved

communities including (but not limited to) rural communities and communities of color are especially encouraged to

apply.

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Budget

The anticipated art budget for the project is $150,000.00. The budget includes artist fees, materials,

fabrication, insurance, shipping, travel, installation, documentation, and any other project costs.

About the Art Commission for Morrow County Courthouse Project

The sculptural installation within the central stair will be visible not only from the interior circulation paths, but also

from the public entry plaza, creating a powerful visual connection between the exterior civic realm and the interior

of the courthouse. Framed by the double-height glazing, the artwork should act as a beacon—an illuminated and

expressive marker that signals welcome, transparency, and community pride. As visitors approach the building, the

piece will be perceived as a vertical thread that draws the eye upward and inward, reinforcing the courthouse as an

accessible public institution. Within the double-height volume, the installation has the opportunity to connect both

sides of the building horizontally and vertically—bridging floors, linking circulation paths, and enhancing the

experience of movement through space.

Artists are encouraged to look to the layered landscape and working heritage of Morrow County for inspiration—its

expansive agricultural fields, wind-swept hills, river corridors, irrigation systems, and deep-rooted farming traditions.

The artwork might reference cultivated rows, grain silos, basalt formations, waterways, or the cyclical rhythms of

planting and harvest, telling a story that is both historic and forward-looking. Whether suspended from above within

the double-height volume or rising from the ground in a sculptural form, the installation should feel integral to the

architecture and resonant with the community. Artists are invited to propose a concept that moves them—one that

is engaging, enduring, and crafted to stand the test of time. Ultimately, the piece should serve as a lasting

celebration of place, honoring the people, industry, and landscape that define Morrow County.

Themes, Goals, and Characteristics for the Art

The art selection committee has identified themes, goals and desired characteristics for the new Morrow County

Courthouse Art Commission. The selection committee seeks artwork that:

• Focuses on the landscape and working heritage of Morrow County for inspiration—its expansive agricultural

fields, wind-swept hills, river corridors, irrigation systems, and deep-rooted farming traditions.

• Contributes to a welcoming environment

• Encourages engagement, interaction, and curiosity

• References the local community and fostering a positive connection between the new courthouse

building and the general public

• Complements new courthouse in materiality and form

• Artwork is expected to be of materials and design that are lasting, sustainable and maintenance free as

possible (and compatible with outdoor application).

Art Locations

The potential art zone is located in the double-height central stair area of the new Morrow County Courthouse.

Images of the art locations are in the final pages of this document.

1. Central Stair Space. Within the central stair there is an opportunity to either provide a suspended or

handing art installation piece, have a floor mounted installation piece, or utilize both options. The

specific size of the potential area is noted in the final pages of this document. Both will be subject to

architectural and structural review for coordination and conformance to the local building codes.

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Selection Process

A selection committee for this project includes Morrow County employees and administrators, and the project

design team. The committee will review submitted qualifications and select up to four (4) finalists.

• The following criteria will be used to select finalists, based on the submitted materials:

Appropriateness of scale, material (including long-term durability), and style of past work as they

relate to the project values/goals and site.

• Artistic and technical quality of past work, including mastery of skills and techniques, communication

of a unique artistic perspective, and/or consistent application of professional practices, conceptual

framework or use of materials.

• Demonstrated ability of the artist to successfully complete artwork within a project timeline, limited

budget, and with input from community stakeholders. Finalists will receive $1,750.00 per artist/artist

team to design and propose an artwork. The design proposal will include: a concept narrative, a

description of materials and durability, visual representations of the proposed work, an estimated

budget and a timeline. Finalists will present their proposal to the selection committee.

The selection committee will also consider an applicant’s experience with:

• Completion of two or more prior public and/or private artwork commissions with a minimum

budget of $50,000.

• If you are an established artist emerging into public art without the above experience, in your letter

of interest, address the reasons why you believe you are qualified for the opportunity and/or the

steps you would take to ensure the successful completion of an architecturally integrated or large-

scale artwork commission.

Anticipated Schedule

June 15, 2026

Submission of qualifications deadline

June 2026

Finalists notified

July 2026

Finalists virtual site visit

August 2026

Design proposal presentations to selection committee*

August 2026

Artist selection

September 2026

Contracts awarded to selected artists Design, fabrication and installation schedule

to be determined depending on scale and budget specific to the artwork

June 30, 2027

(On or before) Artwork installed and complete

*Presentations may be conducted virtually.

How to Submit Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity, submit all required materials by 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Monday, June 15,

2026.

Materials shall be submitted via a file-sharing platform (e.g., Dropbox, OneDrive, or similar) by providing a download

link in an email to:

Sandi Pointer

Risk and Procurement Manager

Morrow County

spointer@morrowcountyor.gov

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all file-sharing links are accessible and do not require special

permissions.

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Addenda and Updates

Any changes, clarifications, or addenda to this Request for Qualifications will be posted on the Morrow County

website at: https://www.morrowcountyor.gov/rfps.

It is the responsibility of all applicants to check the website periodically for updates. Morrow County is not responsible

for notifying individual applicants of changes or addenda.

Application Materials

1. Letter of interest. As a PDF file named with “artist’s last name, first initial, letter” (garciamletter.pdf);

limit 1 page.

a. Describe your interest in this project and how your artwork and art-making process would be a

good fit for the opportunity.

b. If you are an established artist emerging into public art, in your letter of interest address the

reasons why you believe you are qualified for the opportunity, or the steps you would take to

ensure successful completion of an architecturally integrated or large-scale artwork

commission.

2. Resume. PDF or DOC format; name file with “artist’s last name, first initial, resume”(garciamresume.pdf);

limit 2 pages. For artist teams, include resumes of each team member. Include complete contact

information: street address, phone number, email.

3. Up to 10 Images of Past Work. JPG or PNG format; name files with: “artist’s last name, first initial,

number that corresponds to the image information on the image list” (garciam01.jpg). File size:

minimum 1200 pixels on the longest side and 5 MB maximum.

4. Image Descriptions. PDF or DOC format; name file with “artist’s last name, first initial, list” (garciam.pdf);

limit 1 page. Provide a description for each image including:

a. Key details: title, location, cost/budget, date completed, materials, dimensions, commissioning

agency (if applicable), project partners (if applicable);

b. Brief description of your vision or conceptual ideas for each artwork

Assistance

Questions and Addenda

All questions regarding this RFQ and the application process shall be directed to:

Sandi Pointer

Risk and Procurement Manager

Morrow County

Email: spointer@morrowcountyor.gov

Questions must be submitted in writing. Responses to questions, as well as any changes or addenda to this RFQ, will

be posted on the Morrow County website at: https://www.morrowcountyor.gov/rfps.

It is the responsibility of all applicants to check the website periodically for updates. Morrow County is not responsible

for notifying individual applicants of changes or addenda.

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Insurance Requirements

The selected artist/artist team will be required to procure and maintain, at their own expense, the following insurance

coverage for the duration of the contract:

Commercial General Liability Insurance

Minimum limits of $2,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate, covering bodily injury, personal injury, and

property damage.

Automobile Liability Insurance (if applicable)

Minimum combined single limit of $1,000,000 per accident for owned, non-owned, and hired vehicles.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

As required by the State of Oregon, including Employer’s Liability coverage with limits of not less than $500,000 per

accident/disease.

Professional Liability Insurance (if design services are provided)

Minimum limit of $1,000,000 per claim.

Morrow County, its officers, agents, and employees shall be named as additional insured on the General Liability

policy. Proof of insurance must be provided prior to contract execution.

The artist/artist team shall be responsible for ensuring that any subcontractors maintain equivalent coverage.

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Commodity Codes

• NAICS 541330Engineering Services
• NAICS 541611Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
• NAICS 541690Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
• NAICS 711510Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers

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