Purpose of RFP
The Arts@MSP Program, a partnership between the Airport Foundation MSP (Foundation) and the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), requests exhibit theme proposals from artists, artisans, and partnering organizations (Artists or Organizations) for a variety of select locations in Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP).
The purpose of this RFP is to retain Artists and Organizations to propose, design, fabricate, and install exhibitions at MSP, and to work collaboratively with Arts@MSP staff to ensure the project is designed, fabricated, and installed properly.


Intent and Goals of Rotating Exhibits Program
MAC and the Airport Foundation MSP created the MSP Arts and Culture Program (“Arts@MSP”) to enhance MSP Airport’s image, enrich the public’s experience, and promote a sense of place through arts and culture. Arts@MSP intends to complement the design and operational features of MSP to reduce air travel stress, contribute to a safe and relaxing environment, and realize MAC’s vision to provide “your best airport experience.” MAC provides locations at MSP for the exhibition of art; the selection of art is made through Arts@MSP.
The Rotating Exhibit component of the Arts@MSP Program provides the public with ongoing opportunities to experience a variety of interesting exhibits at select locations in the airport. All exhibits will be coordinated in accordance with the Program’s mission, organizing concept, and goals. Quality rotating exhibits will be especially effective in providing:
 

• Thought-provoking and memorable experiences for airport users;
• Incentives for passengers to use MSP;
• Meaningful ways for people to experience our culture, environment, and history;
• A means to educate people about the region and encourage further exploration;
• A venue with international exposure for regional artists;
• Support to artists and arts organizations; and
• Opportunities to partner with local arts, cultural, and community organizations; and options for airline, airport tenant and employee participation.

Rotating exhibits may be historic, scientific, educational, aviation-related, or artistic in nature. Several different spaces throughout MSP have been adapted to house exhibits so that multiple shows may be on view simultaneously. These gallery spaces are fixtures in the airport that create the landmarks that help to promote our sense of place.
Exhibits will be created or selected to showcase the talents of local artists and artisans, focus attention on the area, and draw from the valuable cultural resources available in both public and private institutions in the metropolitan area and the surrounding region. Partnering organizations can show pieces of their permanent collections to a broad cross-section of Minnesota and regional residents, thereby, strengthening awareness and support for their endeavors locally.


Exhibition Spaces and Display Materials
All rotating exhibition spaces will be approved by MAC staff. Spaces currently approved for use in the Arts@MSP Program are provided in the diagram below. Proposals for alternative spaces at MSP are encouraged. Arts@MSP staff will determine which spaces are best suited for exhibition proposals and reaching intended audiences.
Exhibit design and display requirements will vary depending on the value, size, dimension, and composition of the items exhibited. All exhibit spaces provide good-quality lighting, appropriate security, and a functional means to display artwork or other items.
Galleries, display cases (vitrines), and hanging systems have been designed and fabricated to be durable, low maintenance, vandal resistant, and as flexible as possible to ensure the ability to show a variety of exhibits. Walker Display hanging systems have been installed in all pre-approved exhibition spaces.
A set of 7 portable vitrines is available in Terminal 1, overall dimensions of each are 72" H x 36" W x 24" D. A portable Mila-Wall® free-standing gallery wall system is available for use at Terminal 2.
Click here to explore a searchable map of all currently-approved exhibition spaces within MSP. Using the search term "Arts@MSP" will provide an up-to-date listing of all exhibitions at the airport.


Terminal 1 Exhibition Spaces:
Gallery C1:  5’9.5” H x 5’4” W x 10” D
Gallery C6:  5’10” H x 10’8” W x 10” D
Gallery E4:  5’10” H x 13’4” W x 9.75” D
Gallery E8:  5’9” H x 11’8” W x 9.75” D (with audio)
Gallery F4:  5’10” H x 13’4” W x 2’3” D (includes two display areas; 4’10” W and 7’5” W)
Gallery F10:  5’9” H x 12’6” W x 6.25” D (with audio)
Departures Gallery:  5’10” H x 5’4” W x 1'10” D
North Mall Gallery:  5’10” H x 5’4” W x 10” D (with audio)
South Mall Gallery:  5’10” H x 10’8” W x 8.5” D
Airport Mall Gallery:  6’8” H x 16’ W x 2’2” D (two cases)
SEE18 Gallery:  Four double-sided walls, approximately 251.67 ft. sq. total display area
C Concourse Art Gallery:  8’2” H x 16’2” W x 2’6” D (four cases), 9’3” H x 36’9” W x 3’11” D (one case)
Conference Center Gallery:  Four walls, approximately 846 ft. sq. total display area
G Colonnade Gallery:  7’ H x 3’5.5” W x 6.5” D (16 cases)


Terminal 2 Exhibition Spaces:
Mila Walls®:  Approximately 575 ft. sq. total display area
Gallery H11:  18' W x 5’9” H x 1’6” D


Signature Exhibition Spaces:
Terminal 1 B Tunnel Projection Gallery: Eight display surfaces, each 18' W x 5'7" H
Terminal 1 Ground Transportation Center, Tram Level: 16' H x 32' W
Terminal 2 Ticketing Lobby: Four walls, each 28' W x 28' H


Exhibit Coordination and Partnerships
Rotating exhibits will be coordinated by Arts@MSP staff solely or in cooperation with Artists or Organizations as appropriate. The extent of another organization’s involvement will vary depending on the exhibit or the partnership agreement. Partnering organizations may assist with any aspect of exhibition coordination up to and including assuming full responsibility for caring, handling, transporting, installing, and removing exhibit items and displays.
Interpretive signs with relevant information about exhibited items shall be included in all exhibits and will be subject to approval by Arts@MSP staff. Arts@MSP staff will monitor the design, curation, installation, and maintenance of exhibits to ensure quality standards are met. The Arts and Culture Steering Committee and MAC staff will be involved in the coordination and design process as needed.


Selection Process
The rotating exhibit calendar will be planned one or more years in advance. Duration for any rotating exhibit shall be a minimum of 12 weeks and a maximum of 12 months. Exceptions to the minimum time may be granted by the Steering Committee.
The Steering Committee or selection panels will review and approve all qualified exhibit proposals. Arts@MSP staff, or its designee, will curate the exhibits, document all selection processes, and provide a briefing of its activities to the Steering Committee.
In preparing your proposal, we ask that you consider artwork that will be respectful to all MSP audiences, as their exposure to the artwork is not voluntary.
Proposals will be assessed on the following criteria:


Artist Qualifications
 

• Artistic excellence as demonstrated by past work and submitted materials;
• A clear understanding of the project;
• A body of work that demonstrates ability to create artwork for the project;
• A demonstrated ability to collaborate with design teams.
• Availability to meet the project timeline.
• Experience managing projects of similar scale and budget.
• Experience working in private and/or public settings;
• Experience fabricating and installing temporary or permanent artwork;
• Ability to complete a project on time and on budget; and
• Professional references.

Design
 

• Design quality;
• Materials type, availability, size, and quality;
• Handling requirements;
• Safety requirements;
• Design compatibility with the project location; and
• Cost.

Merit and Content
 

• Artwork should have merit as a work of art, independent of other considerations;
• Artistic value should be appreciable by audiences without an arts education;
• Exhibitions should connect in some way with Minnesota;
• Exhibitions should not contain obscenity, nor should they be defamatory or libelous;
• Exhibitions should not contain fraud, commercial speech, or advertising;
• Marketing messages should be limited to institutional branding and artist exposure;
• Logos should not cover more than 5% of the display area;
• Exhibitions should contribute to the diversity – of art, styles, educational content, and media – of all exhibitions on display;
• Exhibitions should align with the Program’s Organizing Concept: Transforming Space to Place; and
• Artwork must be solely the result of the artistic effort of the artist and be wholly original to the artist. Artist must have all appropriate permissions and rights related to the artwork. 

Equal Opportunity Statement
Arts@MSP commits to championing policies and practices that empower a just, inclusive, and fair community. Arts@MSP respects the dignity and worth of all people, and embraces the values, policies, and practices that ensure that all people are represented in the development of arts policy; the support of artists; the nurturing of accessible, thriving venues for expression; and the fair distribution of programmatic, financial, and informational resources. Arts@MSP recognizes that encouraging participation by all artists is critical to the long-term viability of the arts in our community and is therefore fundamental to the success of our programming.
Our commitment is followed by providing full and fair opportunity to all artists, and welcoming diversity both in our programming and in our audiences that we embrace.
How we act on this commitment:
 

• We acknowledge our resources as a powerful communication platform, and we work to ensure all members of our communities have equal opportunity to use this platform.
• We partner community members together to bolster support for the full and fair participation of all artists.
• We seek awareness of ingrained practices, cultural norms, and decision-making structures that perpetuate inequities, and we seize opportunities to provide full and fair opportunity to all artists.
• We encourage opportunity for artists and organizations who will expand cultural consciousness of our region and continue to build on it.
• We commit time and resources to encourage opportunity for more diverse leadership within our board, staff, and advisory bodies.
• We make artist and art selections on a fair, equal, and nondiscriminatory basis.

Contracts and Agreements
Contracts or agreements for all rotating exhibits will be established between the Foundation and Artists or Organizations. Terms and stipulations of contracts and agreements will vary by the exhibit. Contracts will include language detailing ownership, sales, copyright law, liability, other insurance coverage, and any negotiated remuneration.
Click here to view a sample Rotating Art Exhibits Agreement.


Funding and Public Relations
The Foundation will fund general expenses for rotating exhibits through its annual Arts and Culture operating budget. This includes personnel, supplies, basic equipment, and public relations expenses. Rotating exhibits will be promoted through various means, which may include social media, digital signage throughout MSP, public and private receptions, the Foundation and MSP websites, and feature articles in internal publications. Community art publications will also be used to market select exhibits and advertise the exhibition calendar. When appropriate and feasible, the Foundation or MAC will generate publicity through the local and national media to attract attention to MSP and promote exhibits.


Information Contact
All questions regarding this RFP should be submitted in writing to the information contact listed below:
Sam Fuentes
Exhibitions Coordinator, Arts@MSP
Airport Foundation MSP
4300 Glumack Drive, Suite C3405
Saint Paul, MN 55111
sam.fuentes@mspmac.org


Data Practices
All data submitted to the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) is governed by the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. Under Minn. Stat. § 13.591, at the time and date submissions are due, the submitter’s name becomes public information. All other information submitted does not become public until MAC has completed negotiating the contract with the selected artist. At that time, all information in the submissions becomes public, with the exception of trade secret data under Minn. Stat. § 13.37. During the evaluation process, submitters cannot look at submissions by others or data created as part of the selection or evaluation process. However, in MAC’s public Committee and Commission meetings, Commissioners are able to publicly discuss any information in the submissions to the extent reasonably necessary to conduct the business at hand. By making a submission, you acknowledge that all information is subject to potential disclosure and agree that MAC will have no liability for any such disclosure. Persons who supply data about themselves in response to this Request for Exhibit Proposals are entitled to know the following information:1.  The information requested will be used to evaluate the submissions;2.  You are not legally required to supply this information;3.  Failure to supply information may result in a determination that the submission is non- responsive; and 4.  The public is authorized by law to receive information that is not classified by law as private, confidential, or nonpublic data.


Nondiscrimination Policy
Pursuant to 49 CFR part 26, it is the policy of MAC to practice nondiscrimination based on race, color, sex, or national origin in the award of this RFP. MAC encourages participation by all artists qualifying under this solicitation regardless of business size or ownership. The provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 252, 42 USC §§ 2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, which prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, color, or national origin are incorporated by reference into this RFP.MAC, in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 252, 42 USC §§ 2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, hereby notifies all bidders or offerors that it will affirmatively ensure that any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full and fair opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.


Reservations
This RFP does not obligate the Airport Foundation MSP or the MAC to award a contract or complete the project, and the Foundation and the MAC reserve the right to cancel the solicitation if it is considered to be in their best interest. The Foundation and the MAC also reserve the right to waive minor informalities and, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, reject any and all proposals received in response to this RFP.


Application
Enter your contact information below, and then click "Save Address and Continue" to be directed to the application forms.