RFQ

Geneva Car Barn Temporary Mural Project: Request for Qualifications (RFQ)

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT 
The San Francisco Arts Commission acknowledges that we are on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Ramaytush Ohlone. We affirm the sovereign rights of their community as First Peoples and are committed to supporting the traditional and contemporary evolution of the American Indian community and uplifting contemporary indigenous voices. 

RACIAL EQUITY STATEMENT  
The San Francisco Arts Commission is committed to creating a city where all artists and cultural workers have the freedom, resources and platform to share their stories, art and culture and where race does not predetermine one’s success in life. We also acknowledge that we occupy traditional and unceded Ohlone land. Fueled by these beliefs, we commit to addressing the systemic inequities within our agency, the City and County of San Francisco and the broader arts and culture sector. This work requires that we focus on race as we confront inequities of the past, reveal inequities of the present and develop effective strategies to move all of us towards an equitable future.  

Project Overview

The San Francisco Arts Commission invites artists and artist teams residing in the United States to submit qualifications for The Geneva Car Barn Temporary Mural Project. Located in the Ocean View-Merced Heights-Ingleside (OMI) area of San Francisco, the Geneva Car Barn was originally constructed in 1901 as part of the City’s electric streetcar infrastructure. Now a City Landmark, the building is leased and operated by the Community Arts Stabilization Trust (CAST), with Performing Arts Workshop (PAW) as an anchor tenant, offering youth arts programming, creative workforce development, and community engagement activities.

The temporary mural will measure approximately 800 sq. ft. and will be installed along the west-facing façade and turret on the first and second-level exterior windows. The design will be printed on and installed as ACM DiBond with an anti-graffiti clear coat and will be on display for a maximum of 3 years, beginning Winter/Spring 2027.

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Project Description

The San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC), in collaboration with the Recreation & Parks Department (RPD) and CAST, is developing a community-engaged temporary exterior artwork project on the west façade of the building to support neighborhood visibility, cultural identity, and community storytelling. The project will be developed through extensive community participation and will showcase the site as an active and inclusive arts and cultural hub.

PROJECT GOALS

  • Honor the historic and cultural significance of the Geneva Car Barn.
  • Establish the site as an art and culture center and youth arts educational hub.
  • Develop the artwork through a series of community engagement activities with local community members and organizations, informing both the design and implementation.
  • Provide a community benefit by supporting artist(s) with a meaningful connection to the Excelsior/Outer Mission/OMI neighborhoods.

ARTWORK BUDGET
The budgets listed below may be adjusted based on changes to the design of the project site or other project parameters.

  • Artist Contract: $20,000
    Artist Contract will be for design only, and is inclusive of all artist’s fees, as well as associated expenses for design, community engagement activities, and consultation during fabrication and installation.
     
  • Implementation Allocation: $70,000
    Fabrication, installation, maintenance, and deinstallation will be managed by SFAC under a separate contract

Selection Process

Artist Qualification Panel: After the application deadline, Arts Commission staff will screen applications to establish the pool of artists meeting the minimum eligibility requirements, which are professional practicing artists who reside in the United States. All eligible applications will be presented to an Artist Qualification Panel consisting of two (2) arts professionals and one (1) SFAC staff member, who will review and score the applications to identify a shortlist of qualified artists.

Artist Review Panel: The shortlist of qualified artists will be presented to the Artist Review Panel consisting of one (1) representative of RPD, two (2) arts professionals and one (1) community representative, who will review and score the applications and recommend one artist for the project. The Artist Review Panel’s recommendation will be submitted first to the Visual Arts Committee (VAC), a subcommittee of the Arts Commission, and then to the Full Arts Commission for approval. All Artist Review Panel recommendations are subject to the approval of the Visual Arts Committee and Full Arts Commission.

All Arts Commission meetings and Public Art Review Panel meetings are open to the public and are posted on the Arts Commission website at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. To check the meeting schedule for public art projects, please go to our calendar

ARTIST SELECTION CONSIDERATIONS

Selection Criteria for Artists and Artwork: Artists and artwork will be selected in accordance with the Mission and Goals of the Civic Art Collection and in accordance with the criteria below. Criteria to be used when scoring an artist’s application for a commission and/or acquisition of artwork by either purchase or commission shall include, but not be limited to, the following considerations. Per City contracting requirements, artist applicants who are registered as a Local Business Enterprise will be given a rating bonus of 10% relative to other applicants.

  • Artistic Merit: Artistic Merit may be judged by such measures as originality of concept and artistic vision; the degree to which the work engages the viewer emotionally, intellectually, spiritually; the qualify of craftsmanship or mastery of skills and techniques. Artistic merit may also be credited to artwork that reflects a significant or direct relationship between the artist and distinct racial or cultural communities.
     
  • Relevant Skills & Experience: Review Panels and the Commission shall consider the assessed ability of an artist to successfully implement a proposed project, such as the ability to work constructively with other project stakeholders, meet deadlines, willingness to resolve issues as they arise, and generally manage the demands of the project. Cultural competency and/or significant connection between the artist and the project constituency, or experience that may particularly qualify an artist to meet project goals may also be considered.
    • Direct Experience with Collaborating with Project Partners: Artists are asked to address previous experience collaborating with project partners in the development and implementation of previous artwork design.
       
  • Meet Project Goals: The assessed ability of an artist to design a proposal that meets the specific goals of the project as defined in this RFQ and in the Project Plan approved by the Commission.
    • Meaningful Connection: Artists are asked to address their meaningful connection to the Excelsior/Outer Mission/Ocean View-Merced Heights-Ingleside (OMI) neighborhoods.
       
  • Duplication: Artists will be asked to warrant, as a condition of their agreement with the City,that the artwork commissioned or purchased is unique and an edition of one, and shall not be duplicated unless it is part of a limited edition or otherwise stated to the contrary in the artist’s contract with the Commission.

How To Apply

Applications are available through SlideRoom, an online application system for calls for entry. There is no charge to artists for using SlideRoom. Please be sure to allow adequate time to submit your application as technical difficulties can occur. Applications that are mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand-delivered will not be considered.

Applications will not be accepted after the April 6, 11:59 p.m. (PDT) deadline.

SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

Application materials include:

1. Responses to Letter of Interest Questions

  • Describe your artistic focus, career highlights, experience and qualifications, and particular interest in this project. Do not make a specific proposal for a new commission.
  • Address previous experience collaborating with project partners in the development and implementation of previous artwork design(s).
  • Address your meaningful connection to the Excelsior/Outer Mission/Ocean View-Merced Heights-Ingleside (OMI) neighborhoods.

2. Resume

  • 25,000 characters maximum.
  • If you are applying as a team, please include your team/studio resume. If that is not available, please combine the individual resumes (one right after the other) of each team member into one document.

3. 10 images of previous work

  • SlideRoom accepts all image file types up to 5MB. Images should be at least 72 dpi and no larger than 1280 x 1280 pixels.
  • For team application, please indicate the lead artist for each project.

4. Image descriptions

  • When you upload your images, SlideRoom will prompt you to fill out image descriptions. Please include the title, medium, dimensions, and year for each work. You may also include a brief statement (2 sentences maximum) about each work.

Check out our "How to Apply to Calls" for helpful tips on how to submit the most competitive application.

Please note that Arts Commission staff will be available to answer questions about this call until 5 p.m. (PDT) on the deadline date, April 6, 2026. Please contact Paris Cotz at paris.cotz@sfgov.org.

SlideRoom technical support is available Monday – Saturday by email, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. (CDT) support@slideroom.com.

Project Timeline

Qualification Panel Orientation Meeting
Week of March 30, 2026

Qualification Results Meeting
Week of April 27, 2026

Review Panel One Orientation Meeting
Week of May 4, 2026

Review Panel One Results
Week of May 18, 2026

VAC Approval of Recommended Artist
May 20, 2026

Full Commission Approval of Recommended Artist
June 1, 2026

Artist Under Contract
August 2026

Anticipated Completion
Winter/Spring 2027

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Eligibility

Eligibility is open to professional, practicing artists who reside in the United States. Entries not meeting eligibility guidelines will be withdrawn from consideration.

What's Coming Up

Public Meeting

Community Investments Committee Meeting - December 22, 2026

December 22
/
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Hybrid: City Hall | Rm 416 and Online
Public Meeting

Executive Committee Meeting

December 17
/
1:00 PM to 2:30 PM

Hybrid: City Hall | Rm 408 and Online
Public Meeting

Visual Arts Committee Meeting

March 18
/
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Hybrid: City Hall | Rm 416 and Online
Public Meeting

Civic Design Review Committee Meeting

December 14
/
2:00 PM to 4:30 PM

Hybrid: City Hall | Rm 416 and Online