2026_SculpTOUR_Curator_RFP_Flyer_UPDATED.pdf

This is a Request for Proposals (RFP) flyer issued by the City of Santa Cruz Office of Economic Development for a curator or curatorial team to lead the SculpTOUR Downtown Rotating Public Art Program. The City seeks a qualified curator to create and execute a Call for Artists, manage artist selection, coordinate installation logistics, and oversee a three-year rotating sculpture exhibition across four designated downtown locations. Key responsibilities include developing an equitable artist ranking system aligned with City Arts Commission values, engaging stakeholders and Arts Commissioners in the proposal evaluation process, and managing curator-artist relationships including contracts and fiscal sponsorship. Proposals are due August 14, 2026 at 4:00 p.m., with an optional pre-proposal site visit scheduled for July 1, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. Questions must be submitted by August 5, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. The curator will be selected through a two-phase process including interviews and oral presentations, with the contract commencing upon notification of award for a three-year term.

The total budget allocation for the three-year contract term is $42,500, which covers curatorial fees, artist payments for four selected sculptors, Call for Artists administrative costs, and all program operational expenses including installation, deinstallation, transportation, and coordination. The curator must maintain commercial general liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate and professional liability insurance of $2,000,000, naming the City as an additional insured. Local and locally owned business entities may receive a preference of up to 6 percent during evaluation. The Living Wage Ordinance applies to this contract; prevailing wage requirements do not apply. Evaluation criteria include curatorial vision (20 percent), relevant experience and qualifications (45 percent), project approach and feasibility (15 percent), and budget and fee proposal (20 percent). Qualified applicants should demonstrate 3-5 years of curatorial experience with public art or sculpture exhibitions, project management competency, and strong communication and collaboration skills.