Request for Proposal: Public Art

Port of Friday Harbor Public Art – Request For Proposals (RFP)

In conformance with the Port of Friday Harbor Resolution #25-005, the Commission of the Port of Friday Harbor is requesting proposals for public art installations at the Spring Street Landing complex.  Proposals will be accepted until May 1, 2026, at 5:00pm.  Proposals may be submitted via email to artrfp@portfh.org.

Project Description:

The Port is seeking proposals for the procurement and installation of permanent exterior wall mounted art on the lower waterside shower wall at the Friday Harbor Marina office (see Exhibit A). One or no project may be chosen. Durable and low maintenance materials (tile, metal, etc.) are strongly preferred over painted surfaces. All project proposals must include:

• detailed depiction of the art installation.
• detailed information on the artist(s) and/or organizations responsible for the creation and installation of the art.
• precise size and location of the installation.
• detailed description of all materials.
• detailed explanation of the product durability and maintenance requirements.
• detailed explanation of Installation details and explanation of its ability to be uninstalled without damage to the Port mounting wall.
• detailed explanation of how the installation will be protected from dock cart impact damage.

Site Information:

The art installation site is the vertical wall on the lower waterside shower at the Friday Harbor Marina office shown in Exhibit A. The total available installation area is 32’ wide by 6.25’ tall; all or part(s) of the total available installation area may be proposed.

Port Commission guidance for At Proposal:

• The general theme of the art installation is maritime or ecological
• All components of the installation will be comprised of highly durable, low maintenance materials.

Project Budget:

The Port of Friday Habor will allocate a maximum contribution of $25,000 towards the procurement and installation of the public art project(s). The artist proposals shall include a project budget and proponent activities planned for public participation and fundraising to cover any shortfall in the Port provided funding.

The Port may consider:

• New original pieces
• Community art installations
• Existing pieces to purchase from an owner or artist (proposal may include or exclude installation)
• The Port may also consider a piece beyond the stated budget

Artist Qualifications:

Evaluations will consider previous successful art installations by the artist that are like the proposed project.

Recommendation and Award Process:

The Port Commission will be the evaluation and selection committee. The Commissioners will rely on their own aesthetic sense of what art is best suited for the identified site. If a project is selected, Port staff will create an agreement and contract for the installation that addresses the following items:

Ownership and Permission

• Property Rights — All art must be established by written agreements with The Port of Friday Harbor where space is set aside for public art.
• Maintenance and Repair — Maintenance and repair instructions for the care and upkeep of the artwork must be articulated in writing.
• Intellectual Property — Artists retain copyright of their work, while the Port, as property owner, holds ownership of the physical artwork.
• Removal — The Port reserves the right to move or remove art.