Description

MetroLINK and Quad City Arts are seeking the design and installation of artwork for a public mural/window vinyl to be created on an interior wall/window back in the newly remodeled MetroLINK Centre Station building in downtown Moline, IL, located at 1200 River Dr. The mural will be highly visible and welcome visitors to the Centre Station building, the signature hub of the Metro system. Muralist should be based within a 250-mile radius of the Quad Cities area (most of Iowa, Illinois, parts of WI and MO).

Measurements: The wall area for the mural is approximately: 35’ wide and 11’ tall. Every inch of the wall does not need to be covered. A large portion of the wall (approximately 16’ W x 10’ H) will be windows into a private area. For the windowed areas, the chosen artist’s design will be converted to vinyl and applied to the windows, with MetroLINK covering the cost of fabrication/installation, and the artist assisting with oversight of the installation. The mural and vinyl portions should blend into a cohesive work, and the mural area must cover all portions of the windows. Technical drawings of the intended area are attached at the end of the document.

The mural is intended to complement and enhance the existing design of the station, engage the community, and provide a serene, peaceful environment for MetroLINK riders. The design should avoid being overly loud or institutional and should NOT include figurative elements, particularly depictions of people or transportation. Artists are encouraged to explore abstract compositions, organic forms, and natural elements that contribute to a peaceful and contemplative visual experience. Color palettes should be harmonious and supportive of the station’s existing aesthetic.

This mural project is undertaken by MetroLINK with Quad City Arts serving as project facilitators.

PAYMENT
$6,000 — 50% to be paid upon contract execution and 50% within 2 weeks of completion of the mural. This fee includes all associated costs of creation (i.e., materials, paint, transportation, etc.).

DEADLINE
Qualifications shall be submitted no later than Friday, June 13, 2025 at 12:00pm via the link below:

MetroLINK Centre Station Mural Submission

OR via email to rfq@quadcityarts.com.

MURAL OBJECTIVES
• This mural will be the capstone of the remodel of the MetroLINK Centre Station.
• This mural will help create and enhance a serene, peaceful environment within the station.
• This mural will create a must-see destination in Moline.
• This mural will provide an opportunity for our community to experience art.

TO CONSIDER
• This mural will work together with the existing décor to support the newly remodeled station.
• This mural should not focus on figurative elements, particularly depictions of people or transportation.
• Artists must have large scale mural experience, with sufficient knowledge of both medium and materials to ensure durability of the mural.
• Artist should have experience and the capability to translate their design to a graphic file that will be used in the creation of the vinyl window coverings, or to assist fabricator in the creation of said files.
• Renderings of the planned remodel will be provided to selected finalists to assist with their design.
• Upon selection, Artist shall procure or otherwise provide proof of commercial general liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence), property damage ($1,000,000 per occurrence), bodily injury ($1,000,000 per occurrence) and automobile liability ($500,000 combined single limit), naming MetroLINK, together with its officers, agents, employees and engineers as additional primary insureds prior to commencing mural installation and shall maintain such insurance until completion of the mural.
• The selected Artist must be willing to work with QCA and MetroLINK to modify the design or materials based on design input and building specifications.
• Artists will comply with all federal and state laws, county and municipal codes, ordinances, rules and regulations that in any manner affect the services to be provided.
• A qualifying Artist shall have the ability to obtain all necessary licenses, permits and approvals, whenever applicable.

TIMELINE
• June 6, 2025: Deadline for questions; these shall be submitted via email to rfq@quadcityarts.com.
• Friday, June 13 at 12:00pm: Deadline for submissions
• June 2025: Submissions review, finalists selected by late June.
• Mid/late July 2025: Finalist designs submitted and artist selected. Selected artist to meet with mural selection committee to go over sketch, information from the client, timeline, and budget as needed.
• August 2025: Mural and vinyl installed,
? *This timeline will be agreed upon with MetroLINK and the artist; subject to construction/artist timeline/fabrication & installation schedule.
? Targeted completion deadline of September 1, 2025

TO APPLY
• Submit online at MetroLINK Centre Station Mural Submission or email a PDF to rfq@quadcityarts.com including the following information:
o Name, phone number, email, and 2 references with contact info
o Website, Instagram, or other online profiles, if applicable.
o A brief bio about you as an artist and your process.
o 3 samples of work, including your most recently completed mural.
? JPG only, 900 x 900 px minimum.

SELECTION CRITERIA
• Award determination shall be based on selection committee's determination of design aesthetics, proposed use of the wall space, availability and ability to deliver mural/graphics on time, and Artist's experience with similar projects.
• Following the proposal deadline, the selection committee will collaboratively review, analyze and rank all submittals based on the evaluative criteria set forth herein. Three to five finalists will be selected to submit RFPs, with a $500 stipend awarded to selected finalists. The selection committee may invite finalists to interview prior to selection. Upon selection, the selected Artist will be required to enter a contract with Quad City Arts.
• The selection committee reserves the right to request additional information from the proposers. Such information will be limited to clarification or amplification of the information requested in the original proposal. The selection committee may take all actions deemed necessary to investigate the qualifications of each proposer. The selection committee reserves the right to qualify or disqualify proposers because of lack of similar project experience and/or any other information obtained from its investigation.
• The selection committee reserves the right to reject all proposals. The selection committee reserves the right to waive technical defects in the proposals and to accept the proposal which, in the judgment of the selection committee, best serves the project goals.