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

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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Art Locations Plans and Images
Figure 1: Rendering central stair with Art Zone highlighted. Image courtesy of: DLR Group.
Figure 2: Rendering central stair with Art Zone highlighted. Image courtesy of: DLR Group.
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Figure 3: Floor plan of central stair within first floor with Art Zone highlighted. Image courtesy of: DLR Group.
Figure 4 &5: Floor plan of central stair and
section/elevation of Central Stair with Art Zone
highlighted. Image courtesy of: DLR Group.
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Additional Art Zone Information
Lighting: Ambient lighting is provided within the stair to support general circulation and life-safety
requirements. If additional lighting is desired to highlight, accent, or be integrated into the artwork, it should
be included as part of the artist's proposal and funded within the established art commission budget. Artists
are encouraged to thoughtfully consider how light may enhance the visibility, materiality, and experiential
quality of the installation, particularly as it will be viewed both during the day and evening hours.
Structural Reinforcement: The building structure has been designed to accommodate structural
reinforcement capable of supporting up to 500 lbs for a suspended installation. Artists proposing a hanging or
vertically suspended piece should coordinate weight and attachment strategies accordingly. All final
attachment details will require review and approval by the project structural engineer to ensure long-term
safety and durability.
Transparency: Maintaining visual openness within the stair is essential to the architectural intent of the
space. The proposed artwork should respect and preserve key sightlines from the public entry plaza and
interior corridors, ensuring the installation enhances-rather than obstructs-the transparency and
openness of the double-height volume.
Building Massing: The central stair volume extends approximately 32 feet in height, offering significant
vertical opportunity for artistic expression. If the installation is suspended or designed to be experienced
from below, a minimum clear height of 7'-0" above the finished floor must be maintained to meet code
requirements and allow for safe and unobstructed circulation beneath the artwork.
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