West St. Paul is seeking an artist with experience creating unique, creative, and weird art that sparks joy, makes people laugh, and celebrates a space. Click here to see the full RFP. Proposals are due by Noon on March 12, 2025. Questions can be directed to Eric Wess, Director of Parks and Recreation, 651-552-4138 or [email protected]
As part of its “Arts Everywhere” initiative, the City of West St. Paul seeks an artist-designed bench for placement in Kennedy Park at 774 Dodd Road. The bench should serve as a place to sit, while telling a unique story. There are several potential sites for the bench and artists are welcome to design to any of the locations. If an artist’s proposal meets our needs and budget, we could consider up to four art benches. General Specifications:
- Must accommodate at least 500 pounds for seating
- Maximum length, 8 feet. Entire design must stay within 8 feet.
- Height, minimum 17 inches. Maximum height may vary depending on the site.
- Durable construction suitable for outdoor conditions.
- Exterior artwork must be adaptable to outside conditions, including extreme cold, snow, rain and direct sunlight.
- Artwork must be safe for public engagement, especially children.
- Bench must include mounting mechanism for surface installation to a concrete pad. As part of the park redevelopment, contractors will install a concrete pad.
- Artist is responsible for artwork transport to designated location and for final installation.
- Budget is $2,500, inclusive of all costs, including installation, per bench.
Kennedy Park is located in the city’s historic Forty Acres neighborhood, a section of the city carved out of St. Paul in 1874. Dakota County’s border once extended north to the Mississippi River, just south of downtown St. Paul, but as St. Paul and Ramsey County expanded, both sought to annex what is now the West Side south to Annapolis Street. At the time, the superintendent of Dakota County schools resided in the Forty Acres area, and with his job requiring county residency, which posed a problem. Partners negotiated to carve out a 40-acre northern nook, keeping the superintendent in Dakota County. To this day, the Forty Acres neighborhood has a strong sense of history and pride. This uniquely shaped, 2-acre park is home to one of the oldest playgrounds in the city’s parks system.