A Perot Company

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Request for Qualification and Request for Proposal: Environmental Art Installation

July 28, 2025

Updated August 20, 2025

Exploring the Importance of Nature for Life and Learning

Introduction – Our organization is currently seeking requests for qualifications (RFQ) from experienced artists to create a site-specific, environmental public art installation celebrating the significance of nature in our lives and integrating a learning opportunity. This RFQ is the first step in the selection process. Only artists shortlisted through this RFQ will be invited to participate in the subsequent request for proposals (RFP) stage. The project aims to foster greater appreciation of the natural world, its critical role in sustaining life, and its ability to enrich educational experiences, drawing inspiration from the unique nature story of the Woodbine Strata and the Cross Timbers Forest on the property.

Project Overview – We are looking for a dynamic and engaging installation that utilizes natural materials or embraces the principles of land art. The installation should tell a compelling story about the importance of nature in our lives and be accessible and inspiring to a variety of audience ages, abilities, and interests. The piece should integrate seamlessly with the installation site, offer an engaging visual experience   that complements the 300-acre park preserve, future trailhead, and residential homes that surround the site. The final installation should feel like a part of the surrounding landscape rather than stand out in stark contrast.

Project Goals –

  • Promote awareness and appreciation of the natural environment.
  • Highlight the connection between nature, life, and learning.
  • Incorporate sustainable practices and natural materials.
  • Embrace the symbiotic relationship between the Woodbine Strate sandstone forming the hills and the blackjack oak and post oak trees of the Cross Timbers forest that protect the sandstone from erosion.
  • Create an engaging and educational experience for the public.
  • Enhance the aesthetic value of the chosen site.
  • Serve as a visual entrance to the 300-acre park preserve on the north.
  • Offer a beautiful view to homeowners and business owners on the west and east.

Scope of Work – The selected artist will be responsible for:

  • Developing an overall artistic vision and concept design that reflects the project goals, site conditions and community context.
  • Designing an original public art installation that aligns with the project goals and site conditions.
  • Verifying the artwork is scaled appropriately for the roundabout.
  • Utilizing natural materials and/or land art aesthetics.
  • Select and source materials appropriate for permanent durability, maintenance and safety.
  • Collaborating with our team and stakeholders throughout the project.
  • Conducting an educational workshop or presentation related to the project.
  • The final design will be subject to engineering review for structural integrity and public safety.
  • Prepare detailed fabrication drawings and specifications.
  • Manage the fabrication process.
  • Manage the project budget within the awarded amount, including materials, labor, insurance, transportation, and installation.
  • Oversee or directly perform the installation on site.
  • Ensure safety protocols and site requirements are met.
  • Provide documentation and maintenance plan.

Site Description – The artwork will be installed in a traffic roundabout, a prominent outdoor space that will see thousands of residents and visitors annually. The overall roundabout site is 56-feet diameter and offers an ample sized area for creative expression. See appendix for details. The location of the traffic roundabout is just inside the main entrance of a 3,200-acre residential and commercial development in Denton, Texas. The development, Landmark by Hillwood, was envisioned around the concept “the land leads us” because of the confluence of two unique nature stories in north Texas. The Woodbine Strata hills of Pilot Knob and Long Point Knob are covered in the remnants of the Eastern Cross Timbers Forest. The thousands of post oak and blackjack oak trees protected the knobs from erosion and helped them become an ancient wayfinder for early inhabitants and travelers. One-third of the development will be dedicated to outdoor education and recreation. The 1,100-acre green ecosystem will include the upland habitats of the knobs, lowland and riparian habitats bordering the west side of the development, and outdoor recreation activities and opportunities including trails and outdoor learning parks focused on science, technology, engineering, art, and math (S.T.E.A.M.) education.

Inspiration – Given the site’s nature story outlined above, the use of natural materials from the site or land art aesthetics are an inspiration for the request. The natural materials can be designed to be permanent, semi-permanent, or ephemeral (with the intent that it would erode over time and be either renewed or replaced with a new installation in the future). The idea of the installation promoting nature preservation, biodiversity, and/or creating habitats for insects and pollinators, is an exciting concept. Inspirations include:

Eligibility – This RFP is open to professional artists with experience in public art and a demonstrated commitment to environmental sustainability and meet the following criteria:

  • Open to all north Texas artists, particularly Denton County residents
  • Previous experience successfully completing large-scale public art projects of similar scale and scope is an asset
  • Must have experience working with natural materials with large-scale, site-integrated works preferred.

STEP 1: Request for Qualification (RFQ) Submission Requirements – Interested artists should submit their qualifications in response to this RFQ including following:

  • A current resume or curriculum vitae.
  • Examples of previous work, particularly those related to large-scale public art installations. Demonstrated experience using natural materials is a plus.
  • A high-level concept with description of potential materials and fabrication methods.
  • A statement explaining the relevance of the project to the theme.
  • Contact information for three professional references.

STEP 2: Request for Proposal (RFP) Submission Requirements – After reviewing all RFQ submissions, artist finalists will be selected. Finalists invited to participate in the Request for Proposals (RFP) stage are required to attend a site visit and luncheon where they will receive their stipend. Finalists will receive a detailed project brief and site information. Proposals must include the following:

  • A detailed project proposal, including final concept, renderings, materials, proposed dimensions, scale and orientation and installation plan.
  • A final budget outlining all costs associated with the project including installation.
  • Proposed timeline

RFP Submission Evaluation Criteria – Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Artistic merit and originality.
  • Relevance to the project theme and goals.
  • Feasibility and sustainability of the proposed materials and methods.
  • Experience and qualifications of the artist.
  • Ability to engage and educate the public.
  • Proposed budget and timeline.

Timeline –

  • RFQ submission deadline: Friday, August 29, 2025
  • Selection of finalists announced: Friday, September 5, 2025
  • Luncheon, site visit, and stipend paid to artists: Tuesday, September, 2025
  • RFP submission deadline: Friday, October 31, 2025
  • Final selection announced: Monday, November 10, 2025
  • Project installation deadline: Saturday, March 31, 2026

Stipend Budget – Artists selected from the RFQ process to submit an RFP will be paid a stipend of $500. A final project budget of $75,000 is allocated for this project, which includes artist fees, materials, installation costs, and any related expenses.

Submission Instructions – Please submit all required materials by the deadlines listed above to info@landmarkbyhillwood.com. Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered.

Contact Information – For any questions or further information, please contact diana.carroll@hillwood.com. We look forward to receiving your creative and inspiring proposals!