public art opportunity: parking garage

The City of Kansas City, Missouri One Percent for Art program seeks qualifications for a professional visual artist or artist team to design, fabricate, and install permanent wall-based public art for a new city parking garage in the 18th & Vine district. Two to 5 semifinalist artists will be asked to advance to the RFP phase and propose designs. Semifinalists will be paid a design proposal stipend of $2,775.

All art must fit within a reserved space measuring 29’ H x 20’ W on the north façade of the garage.

The $20-million garage project will involve the reconstruction of the surface lot at 18th Street and Lydia Avenue, as part of Revive the Vine, Kansas City’s $400+ million reinvestment initiative in the historic 18th & Vine Jazz District. Developers Grayson Capital will be building multi-family housing around the parking garage.

The Revive the Vine program combines major public infrastructure projects with private development to restore cultural landmarks, expand housing, improve walkability, and support neighborhood vitality.

In addition to the new parking garage, key City-led projects include a pedestrian plaza on 18th Street, Paseo streetscape upgrades, Blues Park renovations, and ADA improvements in surrounding neighborhoods. Private partners are delivering new housing, retail, cultural venues, and a reimagined Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and hotel.

As part of the initiative, the City is also working to activate vacant storefronts by bringing in small businesses, artists, and entrepreneurs—ensuring 18th & Vine remains a vibrant cultural and commercial destination for generations to come.

Tentative Schedule

• September 2025: Semifinalists selected and notified
• November 2025: Semifinalist artists’ proposal presentations (virtual), finalist selected
• December 2025: Artist contract executed
• January 2026: Purchase order issued
• January 2026: Artist begins procuring materials, begins fabricating art
• Completion Spring, 2026
• Artwork dedication: Within 1 week of installation, if applicable