Middleton arts committee refines public-art RFQ, outlines $120,000 baseline and review process
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Summary
The Middleton Arts Committee reviewed draft RFQs for two upcoming public-art projects, recommended using CODAworx in free mode (three work samples per applicant), identified a $120,000 baseline from half-percent and leftover roundabout funds, and set a process for shared draft review and artist involvement early in design.
The Middleton Arts Committee on Tuesday reviewed draft requests for qualifications for two new public-art projects and sketched a timeline and budget approach for the work.
“Using CODAworx in its free mode, which accepts three work samples, lets us do all the review at no cost,” the committee heard from Sebastian, who presented draft RFQ language and said he can help assemble application packets even though he no longer works at CODAworx. The committee favored keeping the platform option free unless they decide to pay for enhanced vendor features.
Committee members discussed funding sources: roughly $90,000 tied to three years of ‘half‑percent’ art funding if the program proceeds, plus about $40,000 remaining in a past roundabout fund. Members said a $120,000 project budget is realistic and could be stretched toward $150,000 with additional fundraising or private donations. An NEA grant was described as possible but uncertain.
The committee agreed to have a working group finalize site‑specific requirements (including a suggested 30‑foot footprint) and circulate editable drafts via Google Drive for committee comment ahead of the March meeting. Members emphasized involving an artist early so the artist can influence design choices rather than retrofit a finished plan.
The RFQ’s penciled‑in application deadline remains 03/31/2026 but staff described that date as aspirational and said it can be moved after the committee finishes drafting requirements. The committee also discussed selection metrics used on prior projects and agreed to reuse those scoring criteria.
The next steps are for the working group to produce a revised RFQ, loop in the city project designer for early feedback, and share documents with the full committee for comment before finalizing the call.
