Howard County Public Garden permanent public art RFQ — $500,000, Glenwood

The opportunity

Permanent landscape-integrated art at the historic Longwood property: nature-based, functional, kinetic or interactive work. Standalone monumental sculpture and digital/light work rank lowest in community priorities and require a strong rationale. Submit qualifications now, not a finished design. The RFQ schedules shortlist selection November 30, 2026, concepts February 19, 2027 and installation March 2028; the project webpage instead says July 2027 installation. Resolve that schedule conflict before planning production. The October 2 question deadline has passed; full appendices were not reviewed.

Who can apply

Professional artists or teams nationwide, aged 18 or older, with permanent public-art experience and three references. Artists enrolled in a degree program, and HoCo Arts staff, board members and their immediate family members, are ineligible. Experience with environmental, functional or landscape-integrated work, community engagement and durable outdoor materials is sought. Additional appendix terms are unreviewed.

Funding & costs

$500,000 total all-inclusive commission, covering artist fees, project management, labor, design and Maryland-engineer-stamped drawings, insurance, materials, fabrication/base, transport, installation and engagement. Up to four finalists receive $2,500 each for concept development, a site visit and presentation; the text does not clarify whether those stipends are included in the $500,000.

Application fee: Not established