SACRAMENTO, CA – The Sacramento County Department of Airports (SCDA) is excited to announce a Request for Qualifications and Experience (RFQ&E) for artist services as part of the Concourse B Expansion at Sacramento International Airport (SMF). This call is part of the ongoing $1.4 billion SMForward expansion project.
The SMForward program offers a rare opportunity to integrate public art into the airport’s spaces, enhancing the traveler’s experience while highlighting the cultural identity of the Sacramento region. The artworks commissioned will be part of the Concourse B Expansion, which will add six new gates and provide additional opportunities for passengers to reflect and relax while traveling.
“We are thrilled to engage regional artists in this unique initiative,” said Cindy Nichol, Director of the Sacramento County Department of Airports. “We aspire to offer travelers highly functional space that meets their travel needs while also providing an immersive environment that celebrates the creativity and identity of our region. This is a great opportunity for local artists to showcase their work on a global stage.”
Project Overview
The Concourse B Expansion will introduce six new gates at the western end of the concourse, which will serve as calming, contemplative spaces for passengers before and after flights. This project will feature both commissioned and purchased artworks, with budgets ranging from $25,000 to $200,000 per piece. The selected works will be integrated into various locations, including large-scale two-dimensional art and low-relief wall pieces, designed to inspire curiosity and relaxation.
Eligibility and Application Process
This RFQ is open to professional artists or artist teams residing in the Sacramento region, including Sacramento, Amador, Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Placer, San Joaquin, Solano, Sutter, Yolo, and Yuba counties. Artists with experience in public art as well as those new to the field are encouraged to apply.
Interested artists must submit their qualifications and experience via SlideRoom by May 1, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (PST/PDT). Application materials include a resume, a letter of interest, 10 images of previous work, and descriptions of those images. Detailed information about the application process and the project can be found on the SlideRoom portal.
Project Timeline
- RFQ Issuance: April 1, 2025
- Submission Deadline: May 1, 2025
- First Panel Review (Selection of Finalists): May 2025
- Finalist Orientation: June 2025
- Second Panel Review (Interviews with Finalists): August 2025
- Artist Selection: August 2025
- Contract Agreement Executed: September 2025
- Artwork Fabrication: Fall 2025 – Spring 2027
- Artwork Installation: Spring 2027
How to Apply
Artists can apply through SlideRoom, an online application system. There is no charge for using SlideRoom, but applicants are encouraged to submit their materials early to avoid potential technical difficulties. Late applications will not be considered.
For more information about the RFQ or to submit an application, please visit the SMF Artwork RFQ Portal or contact Air-SMForward-Art@saccounty.gov.
