City of Burien

Project Purpose

The City of Burien seeks a qualified artist, artist team, or consultant to lead a community engagement process and develop a Public Art Plan that reflects Chelsea Park’s history, the neighborhood’s character, and the values of its users. The goal is to create a cohesive vision for public art that enhances the park’s sense of place, belonging, and welcome.

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Background

The City of Burien has identified the replacement of the Chelsea Park Playground as a priority project in the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Capital Improvement Plan. This project is funded through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars and represents an important investment in the health, recreation, and wellbeing of the surrounding neighborhood. In addition to replacing aging play equipment, the City seeks to engage the community in shaping the design, look, and feel of the new playground. This process will also explore opportunities to incorporate public art that reflects the park’s identity, celebrates community stories, and fosters a sense of place, belonging, and welcome for all who visit Chelsea Park.

 

Project Objectives

• Engage the community and park users to gather input on themes, stories, and ideas that reflect the park and the surrounding neighborhood.
• Identify opportunities for integrating public art into park features such as the playground, pathways, restrooms, entryway, signage, and park amenities.
• Research and summarize the park’s and neighborhood’s history, demographics, and cultural identity.
• Use findings to inform a Public Art Plan that guides future design, fabrication, and installation.
• Develop recommendations for either a Call for Artists or direct creation of artwork that integrates community feedback.

 

Tasks and Deliverables

Project Initiation and Work Plan

• Meet with City staff to confirm goals, schedule, and communication protocols.
• Develop a detailed work plan and timeline outlining engagement activities, deliverables, and milestones.

Background Research

• Review existing park master plans, design documents, and prior community engagement results (if applicable).
• Conduct research on:
  • Park history: origins, evolution, notable events, and previous art or design features.
  • Neighborhood history: cultural, social, and demographic context.
  • Demographics: data on age, ethnicity, languages spoken, household types, etc.
  • Park users: observation and informal interviews to understand who uses the park and how.

Community Engagement

Design and lead inclusive engagement activities to gather public input on potential art themes, values, and visual identities.

Engagement methods may include:

• Pop-up events at the park and neighborhood gathering places.
• Workshops or listening sessions with community groups, schools, and cultural organizations.
• Online surveys or idea boards to broaden participation.
• Art-based engagement activities (e.g., collaborative drawing, story mapping, or idea collages).

The engagement should prioritize accessibility, language inclusion, and culturally relevant outreach.

Public Art Opportunities and Theme Development

• Identify specific locations and opportunities within the park for public art integration.
• Develop core themes and guiding principles based on community feedback and historical research.
• Provide conceptual examples of how themes could translate into different art forms or design features.

Public Art Plan Development

• Create a Public Art Plan that synthesizes community input, historical research, and artistic direction.
  The plan should include:

• Project vision and goals.
• Recommended art types, placements, and integration approaches.
• Implementation strategies (phased or full).
• Estimated budget and maintenance considerations.
• Options for Call for Artists or design/fabrication by consultant.

Artist Call or Artwork Development (Optional)

Depending on City direction:

• Option A: Prepare and assist with a Call for Artists, including selection criteria, proposal guidelines, and participation in the review process.
• Option B: Develop conceptual designs for integrated artwork based on the approved Public Art Plan and community feedback.

 

Budget

The City estimates that this work may cost approximately $15,000, including optional tasks. The final fee, scope, and methodology for this work will be negotiated after selection of the consultant.

The city shall not be responsible for any costs incurred by the consultant for preparing or submitting its response to this Call for Artist Proposal.

 

Schedule:

• Application Due: January 12, 2026
• Questions Due to the City December 11, 2025
• FAQ Posted by the City December 12, 2025
• Selection Panel: January – February, 2026
• Reviewed by Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Advisory Board: February 2026
• Selected qualified consultant, artist, or artist team: March 2026
• Public Art Plan for Chelsea Park: August 2026
• Call for Artists or Concept Design: August - November 2026

 

Qualifications

• Experience in community-based art planning or public art integration in parks.
• Proven ability to conduct inclusive community engagement.
• Familiarity with equitable and trauma-informed engagement practices.
• Understanding of urban design, landscape architecture, or park design processes preferred

 

Selection Criteria

The City will evaluate proposals based on the following criteria to identify the most qualified artist, artist team or consultant to lead community engagement and develop a Public Art Plan that reflects the park’s identity, history, and community values. Total Possible Points: 100 (+5 bonus points)

Understanding of Project and Approach (25 points)

• Demonstrates a clear understanding of the project purpose, goals, and desired outcomes.
• Presents a well-organized and creative approach to community engagement and art planning.
• Clearly describes how the artist, artist team or consultant will integrate research, engagement, and design thinking into a cohesive Public Art Plan.
• Shows sensitivity to the cultural and social context of the neighborhood.

  Community Engagement Experience (25 points)

• Proven experience designing and implementing inclusive, equitable, and culturally responsive engagement processes.
• Demonstrates ability to connect with diverse audiences, including youth, seniors, immigrant and refugee communities, and historically underrepresented groups.
• Experience using creative and participatory methods (e.g., art-based engagement, storytelling, pop-ups, or co-design).
• Examples of previous projects where public input meaningfully shaped the final art or design outcomes.

Public Art Planning and Integration Experience (20 points)

• Demonstrated experience in public art planning, public art master plans, or art integration within parks, civic spaces, or capital projects.
• Understanding of how public art can enhance place-making, storytelling, and park identity.
• Knowledge of best practices for public art placement, materials, fabrication, and long-term maintenance considerations.

Qualifications and Team Composition (15 points)

• Relevant qualifications and experience of key team members.
• Inclusion of team members with lived experience or cultural knowledge relevant to the project area.
• Availability and capacity to complete the project within the proposed schedule.

Project Management and Work Plan (10 points)

• Realistic and achievable project schedule with clear milestones and deliverables.
• Strong coordination and communication plan with City staff and community partners.
• Demonstrated ability to manage timelines, budgets, and multi-stakeholder processes.

Commitment to Equity and Inclusion (5 points)

• Demonstrated understanding of equity, inclusion, and accessibility in community engagement and public art.
• Approach reflects respect for cultural diversity, language access, and inclusive representation.

Bonus: Local or Regional Experience (up to 5 bonus points)

• Experience working within or with communities in South King County, Burien, or similar diverse suburban/urban neighborhoods.
• Familiarity with local community networks and regional art initiatives.

 

To Apply

Artist, artist team, or consultant must include the following sections in their proposal in the format specified below no later than January 12, 2026, at 5:00 pm Pacific Time.

Proposal submissions shall be in PDF format and no more than ten (10) pages not including resumes of key personnel. Supplemental information, such as brochures, may be submitted if desired as part of the total page limitation. 

Email submission to [email protected], with the subject line “Chelsea Park Public Art Plan”. All respondents will receive an email confirmation within the next business day that their submission has been received.

Include:

• Interest Letter - Introduce the team and summarize understanding of the project and interest in the opportunity.
• Project Approach and Methodology - Describe how the artist, artist team, or consultant will engage the community, identify themes, and develop a cohesive Public Art Plan. Include engagement philosophy and sample engagement tools or strategies.
• Community Engagement Experience - Provide examples of previous community-based art or planning projects. Highlight methods used to ensure inclusive and equitable participation.
• Relevant Project Examples (up to 3) - Summaries of similar projects including client, year, budget, and outcomes. Include visuals if available.
• Team Qualifications and Roles - Identify key personnel, their qualifications, and roles. Include resumes or short bios.
• Work Plan and Timeline - Outline major tasks, deliverables, and schedule milestones consistent with the City’s project timeline.
• Equity and Inclusion Statement - Briefly describe how equity and inclusion principles will be incorporated throughout the engagement and planning process.
• Budget Estimate - Provide an itemized project budget showing major task areas and associated costs (including engagement materials, travel, and contingencies).
• References - Provide at least two references for similar projects, including contact name, title, organization, and phone/email.

General Conditions:

All materials and documents submitted become the property of the City and will not be returned.

1. Selected applicant will be required to execute a professional services agreement with the City and meet the City’s insurance requirements. Evaluation of the qualifications will be made by a staff evaluation committee. The committee may request interviews of one or more proposers. Upon completion of the evaluation process, the committee will determine the most qualified consultant based on all materials and information presented. The city will then begin the negotiations for an agreement with the selected consultant.
2. Any proposer failing to submit information following the procedures provided in the RFP may be disqualified.
3. The city reserves the right to:
   1. Request clarification of information submitted and request additional information from the proposer.
   2. To change the solicitation schedule, issue addenda to the solicitation, or cancel the solicitation at any time before the submittal deadline.
   3. To award the contract for services addressed by this RFP to one or more proposer, or to reject all the qualifications, at any time, without penalty.
   4. To waive immaterial irregularities contained in the solicitation. The City will notify proposers eliminated from further consideration by mail or email.
   5. To award any contract to the next most qualified firm if the selected consultant does not execute the contract within thirty (30) calendar days after the contract was awarded.
4. Proposals remain confidential until closing deadline after which qualifications are considered a public record subject to public disclosure under RCW 42.56, the Public Records Act. Proposing firms shall mark as “proprietary” any information that the proposer believes meets the exemption under RCW 42.56.270(1). The city will consider this designation in response to public records requests.
5. Any proposal submission may be withdrawn, either personally or by written request, at any time before the time set for the submittal deadline.
6. The consultant shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, Executive Orders, guidelines, rules, and regulations affecting its performance. The firm shall comply with the applicable provisions of the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and, if manufactured or stored in the State of Washington, the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA) and the standards and regulations issued thereunder and certifies that all items furnished and purchased shall conform to and comply with said law, standards and regulations. The firm shall certify that it has complied and shall continue to comply during the duration of this contract, with the United States Immigration and Control Act of 1986 in that every employee of the firm is eligible for employment in the United States.
7.  Proof of application or receipt of a City of Burien business license will be required prior to receipt of a fully executed contract. Consultants may obtain information for licensing on the City of Burien website.
8. Attachment A includes the Contract for Services, which will be used to engage the selected consultant with the City for the work outlined in this RFP. Please review the language, including the insurance requirements.

 

Updated December 8, 2025