The Regional Arts & Culture Council (“RACC”) and the Port of Portland (“Port”) in Portland, Oregon, are inviting artists to submit their qualifications for the design of a temporary public art display that will be a part of the Portland International Airport’s (PDX) terminal redevelopment project.
The Port of Portland has contracted with the Portland area’s Regional Arts & Culture Council to manage the selection process for this public art opportunity.
INTRODUCTION
PDX has been recognized as the best airport in the United States eight times in the last decade. The airport consistently ranks high when it comes to customer service based on its facilities, accessibility, security, and is renowned for its local restaurants, beverages, and retail offerings, as well as short films at no cost, rotating art exhibits, and permanent artworks throughout the airport.
PDX seeks to commission distinctive, site-specific, original public artwork for the $2 billion terminal redevelopment project. These two unique artwork locations have been identified for this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) within the newly designed terminal. All public artwork locations in the new facility are identified on the attached Exhibit A. This is anticipated to be the final RFQ document released for art installations in the terminal redevelopment project.
A Selection Committee of community representatives, arts and culture professionals, and Port staff has been assembled to recommend artists or artist teams. Each piece of work shall reflect the essence of the region and create a memorable experience that passengers have come to expect from PDX.
This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) will determine artist(s) eligibility to propose artwork for the specific locations described in this document.
PDX AIRPORT OVERVIEW
PDX serves as the unofficial welcome to the Pacific Northwest with nearly 20 million travelers a year passing through. Once the TCORE project is complete, in 2026, the facility will be capable of serving 35 million passengers. In addition to passengers, PDX supports a workforce of over 10,000 employees.
PDX operates primarily as an Origination and Destination (O&D) airport. Only 8% of passengers are connecting to other cities. The other 92% of travelers start or end their journey at PDX, and for all those passengers, the airport will be their first or last impression of the region.
PDX is largely a leisure airport, with a smaller percentage of business travelers. This means that most airport users are either nearby residents or are deliberately choosing to visit our region for vacation or the like, so both groups are particularly interested in a localized experience.
PORT OF PORTLAND PUBLIC ART PROGRAM
The PDX Art Program seeks to create an environment that embodies the unique character of the Pacific Northwest. PDX provides multiple venues for artists and community arts organizations seeking exposure for their works and collections. The program includes permanent art, temporary rotating exhibitions, an art gallery, and a microcinema that showcases short films by Oregon filmmakers. More information on the Art Program can be found on the PDXArt website.
PORT OF PORTLAND ART PROGRAM GOALS
Artists should keep in mind the goals of the Port of Portland art program:
- Represent artists of diverse races, genders, geographic origins, ethnicities, and ways of being with the purpose of advancing fair and equitable inclusion
- Incorporate a variety of artistic mediums/materials and aesthetics
- Reflect the region’s creative and cultural wealth
- Respond to the airport environment in consideration of designated architectural factors and features supporting the general character of the Port and PDX as described above
- Artworks should be made of durable materials and easily maintained
PDX TERMINAL REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT
The redevelopment of the main terminal doubles the footprint of the terminal and invites passengers and employees to celebrate the beauty of the Pacific Northwest with a design evoking a walk in the forest; with vast windows and skylights providing daylight, interior landscaping of living plants, and a monumentally scaled wood roof produced from locally sourced timber.
Overall, the project will grow, modernize, and beautify PDX, preparing it to meet the demands of a new generation of travelers. The upgrades include a 150-foot-wide building expansion that houses two new security checkpoints with increased capacity.
The main entrance and ticket lobby have been fully redesigned to replace the 1950’s original, integrating today’s travel technologies. The concourse connector lets visitors move between the two sides of the airport without passing through security twice. We’re also adding a new airline lounge, along with stunning artwork, lush greenery, and an impressive wood lattice roof.
The ticket lobby is now a bright and airy space with ample space for passengers to check in at their ticket counters while admiring the new works of art.
The pre-security concessions surround a large community gathering space with stadium-style seating, which all departing travelers will pass through. The gathering space will regularly host special events, celebrations, and entertainment.
The Concession Halls immediately after each security checkpoint will be reconstructed with 30-foot ceilings, expansive window views, tons of natural light, greenery at eye level, and a lineup of concessions designed to look like a city streetscape, complete with pergola-style canopies and sidewalk seating. To get a more concrete idea of what the new main terminal will look like, visit pdxnext.com, where you’ll see renderings and construction photos.
SOCIAL EQUITY POLICY
The Port of Portland’s Social Equity Policy promotes social equity, using a racial equity focus, with the purpose of advancing fair and equitable inclusion and creating the conditions in which all people can participate, prosper, and achieve equitable outcomes with respect to the Port’s employment, business, and services.
Cultural and racial equity will be considered throughout the process of selecting artists or artist teams, in terms of the demographics of the artists selected, the cultural communities served, and the diverse perspectives represented through the artwork. The Port encourages partnerships among artist/artist teams that reflect our region’s cultural heterogeneity.
ART SITES
The terminal redevelopment project has included eleven separate opportunities for artwork, each with different budgets dependent on the project’s size, location, and anticipated material and fabrication needs. The Selection Committee intends to select a different artist or artist team for each RFQ.
Two Mural Designs, Each by a Different Artist/Artist Team
Budget for Each Mural Design: Not to Exceed $15,000
Eligibility: Open to artists living in the service area of PDX. The PDX service area includes all counties in Oregon, as well as Southwest Washington counties: Cowlitz, Clark, Klickitat, Lewis, Pacific, Skamania, Wahkiakum, and Yakima. Emerging artists are encouraged to apply.
RACC staff, Artist Selection Panelists, and Port of Portland employees or their immediate families are not eligible to apply.
This is an opportunity for two separate artists or artist teams to each create an original digital artwork or a 2D artwork translated into a high-quality digital file that will be custom-printed and installed as a large-scale mural to be displayed in the Exit Halls for one to three years. Each mural site is 59’ w x 11’ h.
The primary goals of this opportunity are for the art to:
- Celebrate contemporary mural culture and local mural artists
- Evoke a feeling of being on a city street
- Promote pride of place, culture, and/or a sense of home
- Be vibrant and iconic, providing wayfinding cues for travelers
The Exit Halls are located to the east of the post-security Concession Halls symmetrically on the north and south ends of the terminal building. These Halls are the last post-security area passengers will walk through before they meet friends, family, or other meeters/greeters, leave the terminal, or travel downstairs to baggage claim to pick up their luggage. Any exiting passenger will pass through the space, providing a great location for visibility of these art pieces. The look and feel in the Exit Halls is to be reminiscent of a city streetscape, including trees, seating, and in the future, may also provide a location for pop-up kiosk-type shops for local vendors and products. Art murals will be an added touch to the streetscape atmosphere. The murals will be the first cycle of two new rotating art exhibition locations post-security at PDX that will be refreshed with new murals every two to three years.
The commission will be awarded to two artists or artist teams, with a budget for each original 2D artwork not to exceed $15,000, inclusive of all artist design fees for the digital or 2D original artwork, professional digitization of original 2D artwork, and the delivery of a digital file. A separate budget managed by the Port of Portland will cover the production and installation of the mural in PhotoTex or another similar material, onsite at PDX. The expected lifespan of this artwork is approximately 3 years.
APPLYING FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY
In response to the RFQ, applicants will be asked to submit the following items through RACC Opportunity Portal. Incomplete applications cannot be considered. It is the responsibility of the applicant to complete and submit materials by the application due date: 11:59pm (PST), Wednesday, May 21, 2025.
Applications must include the following:
- Statement of interest. In 2000 or less characters and spaces:
- Explain why this project is of interest to you.
- Describe how your work/practice could address the site and primary goals for this project.
- Address how your experiences, artistic practice, or values connect to or align with the Port’s Social Equity Policy detailed above.
- Include any other comments that you think are important for the committee to know.
- Do not submit a project proposal for the commission at this time.
- Two-page résumé uploaded as a PDF that outlines professional accomplishment and includes two professional references (name, affiliated organization, email address and phone number) for both individual applicants and teams (2 total references per team). For team applications, include a 2-page résumé for each team member combined into one PDF.
- Up to 10 images of past work, with accompanying information about each image. These images are the primary way the quality of your work is judged. Provide the following information for each visual: title, year produced, dimensions, budget, medium, and a brief description. Do not embed label information into the jpeg image. Up to 2 videos may be included as part of the total 10 submitted visuals.
- Potential future opportunities. Mark the provided checkbox if you would like to be considered for additional future potential mural opportunities at this same site at PDX airport.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Selection Phase
During this phase, qualified applicants will be ranked by the Selection Committee on a 100-point system based on the following points distribution:
- 30 points: Artistic vibrancy of submitted past work
- Statement of interest to include:
- 15 points: Artist’s interest in project
- 15 points: Connection/Alignment to Port’s Social Equity Policy
- 20 points: Ability to create impactful artwork for PDX Airport
- 20 points: Meets the goals of Port of Portland’s art program
Proposal/Interview Phase
During this phase, applicants will be ranked by the Selection Committee on a 100-point system based on the following points distribution:
- 50 points: Demonstrated artistic vibrancy and feasibility of the proposed concept
- 25 points: Ability to create impactful artwork for PDX Airport
- 25 points: Alignment of proposed concept with the primary goals of this art opportunity
Artistic vibrancy is defined as an artistic practice that:
- Demonstrates integrity of process
- Embodies excellence of craft and skills
- Demonstrates imagination, distinctiveness, and originality
- Contributes to artistic practice
- Engages with the diversity and complexity of contemporary life
- Is relevant in a local, national and global context
SELECTION COMMITTEE/PROCESS
Members of the Art Committee include artists, arts professionals, the project architect, Port staff and community members. Non-voting advisors to the panel include additional Port staff.
Evaluation of the applicants will be in accordance with the Evaluation Criteria listed above. The issuance of this RFQ and the receipt of applicants does not obligate the Port to award a contract. The Port may cancel this RFQ or reject any or all proposals in accordance with ORS 279B.100.
All questions relating to this RFQ must be posed through RACC’s online question form. Questions received fewer than five (5) business days prior to the deadline for receipt of submissions may not be considered. All questions and answers will be shared with all prospective submitting artists.
RACC and the Port reserve the right to make changes to the RFQ. Changes will be made by written addendum which will be issued to all prospective artists on RACC’s list of RFQ holders. An artist may amend or withdraw its proposal any time prior to the time and date established for proposal submission. Refer to Exhibit B for specific disclosures and protest rules associated with this RFQ.
Selection Phase
Prior to the selection phase, a subcommittee comprised of Selection Committee members will review all applicants and narrow the initial pool of RFQ applicants to no more than 50 artists/artist teams.
Proposal/Interview Phase
From these applicants selected by the subcommittee, the Selection Committee will choose up to 6 finalists for the interview phase. Finalists are expected to attend a site visit and orientation session with the Port of Portland. Each finalist/team will be paid a $1,500 honorarium to develop a proposal and will be reimbursed for travel expenses. Finalists will present their proposals in an interview format four to six weeks from the site visit with the entire Art Committee. The proposal shall include: art concept, description of materials, manner of execution, and proposed budget and timeline. At the interview visual representation of the proposal and material samples should be provided.
Following the presentations/interviews, the Art Committee will select two artists/teams who will enter into a Personal Services Contract with the Port of Portland and begin collaborating as needed with the design team of ZGF and the Port of Portland. Following approval of the final design by the Art Committee, the artist/team will begin fabrication. A sample contract is attached as Exhibit C.
WORKING PROJECT TIMELINE *
Information Session: Interested applicants are highly encouraged to watch and listen to the recorded information session. The session provides information about the physical sites including spatial renderings, an overview of the goals and selection process for the opportunity, and answers to frequently asked questions.
All questions relating to this RFQ must be posed through RACC’s online question form. Questions received fewer than five (5) business days prior to the deadline for receipt of submissions may not be considered. All questions and answers will be shared with all prospective submitting artists.
| Application due date: |
11:59pm (PST), Wednesday, May 21, 2025 |
| Artist interviews and final selection: |
July-September 2025 |
| Final design development: |
Fall 2025 |
| Fabrication and digitization: |
Winter 2025-2026 |
| Installation completion: |
Spring 2026 |
* Dates provided are estimates based upon current knowledge of preliminary project schedules and are only intended to assist artists in determining their own availability to participate. Above dates in no way represent final approved schedules and are subject to change through future iterations of design and construction phases.
RFQ PDF
Exhibit A
Exhibit B
Exhibit C
