Central Bank Center Public Art RFQ

LexArts and Central Bank Center invite professional artists and artist-led teams to submit qualifications for a major public art commission on the west façade of Central Bank Center and Rupp Arena in downtown Lexington, Kentucky. The Central Bank Center Public Art Initiative seeks to commission a high-quality, semi-permanent exterior public artwork that enhances the architectural presence of Central Bank Center and Rupp Arena, creates a memorable and visually compelling experience for visitors, strengthens Lexington's identity as a center for arts, culture, and tourism, serves as an enduring civic landmark, and reflects innovation, creativity, and excellence in public art practice.

The selected artist will be expected to create a site-responsive design that considers building scale and architecture, visitor experience, visibility from multiple viewpoints, durability in exterior conditions, and safety and maintenance requirements. The selected artwork should attach to the wall and should not be a mural painted directly onto the wall surface. This is a national call open to experienced artists with a demonstrated history of creating large-scale public artworks.

Phase One: Qualifications Review — applicants submit qualifications materials for review by a Selection Committee comprised of representatives of Central Bank Center staff and board members. The committee will review all submissions and select up to five (5) finalists. Phase Two: Concept Development — finalists will be invited to develop site-specific proposals including a concept narrative, preliminary renderings, materials description, fabrication approach, installation overview, preliminary project schedule, and preliminary budget.

Finalists will present their proposals virtually to the Selection Committee.