13th & Fir 3D Art – Request for Qualifications

3D Art for 13th & Fir 
Request For Qualifications (RFQ)

206 Zulu and SCIDpda, two community-based organizations, are seeking 3D artists or artist teams to design, fabricate and install site-specific publicly viewable 3D Art outside of 13th & Fir, a new affordable housing development located in the Central Area in Seattle, Washington. 

ABOUT THE PROJECT 
13th & Fir is a joint venture of two local non-profit affordable housing developers, the Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority (SCIDpda) and Community Roots Housing (CRH). The building is a 6-story mixed use housing project providing space for 156 low-income family-sized apartment units, community-based commercial spaces, and a childcare center.

SCIDpda, who manages the property, is partnering with local arts organization 206 Zulu to facilitate the installation of 3D Art at 13th & Fir. For over a decade, 206 Zulu has been hosting their annual Off the Wall event, a one-of-a-kind annual graffiti art competition and community festival that spotlights the local and international talent from the aerosol art community, at the old King County records building (the current site of 13th & Fir).

This project is a unique opportunity to continue the legacy of art at a building designed to help our low-income families live and stay in Seattle. The goal for this project is to create large-scale art at an affordable housing building, 13th & Fir, that is impactful and reflective of the immediate neighborhoods’ collective values and diverse community. 

PROJECT SCOPE 
The artist or artist team will be contracted to develop site-specific, publicly viewable 3D Art informed by meaningful engagement with the 13th & Fir residential community. The artist will work collaboratively with 206 Zulu, SCIDpda, 13th & Fir staff, and community stakeholders through the project. 

The scope of work includes:

• Community engagement
  Work with 206 Zulu and SCIDpda staff to plan and implement two (2) community engagement events. Integrate feedback and community-driven ideas into the development of the design. 

• Location Assessment and Selection
  Determine location and specific kind of installation based on expertise and feedback from community engagement. Consider visibility, materiality, accessibility, and overall impact in exact location selection. Exact location feasibility will be determined in consultation with SCIDpda and the building architect. 

• Concept Development
  Create a 3D art design that reflects community engagement and site-specific context. The quality of art should align with the needs of the project site to maintain durability, with special care to ensure it is weather-proof and kid-proof within reason. The artist/artist team will work with 206 Zulu and SCIDpda for design review and approval, including budget approval. 

• Fabrication and Installation
  The artist/artist team is responsible for the fabrication of their final design or will need to work with a subcontractor who will carry out fabrication and installation. The artist/artist team will need to provide a detailed installation plan to SCIDpda and 13th & Fir staff. Artwork should be safe, durable, and maintainable. SCIDpda will assist with coordinating installation details. 
  
  

ART PLAN 
In the winter and spring of 2022, 206 Zulu and SCIDpda facilitated meetings with an Art Advisory Committee (AAC) to create an art plan for 13th & Fir. The art plan is a document that establishes the foundation for the art selection process, art themes, location priorities, and community engagement process. A number of community-based organizations and other community partners are represented on the AAC, including Bailey Gatzert Elementary, Seattle University, Norman Mitchell Manor, Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, Mithun, Friends of Little Saigon, Seattle Housing Authority, Community Roots Housing, and Denise Louie Education Center. We highly encourage all interested artists/artist teams to review the Art Plan to gain a better understanding of the values and goals of this project. The Art Plan can be viewed here. 

 
FUNDING 
This project is funded through a grant from the Seattle Office of Planning & Community Development (OPCD) through the Equitable Development Initiative (EDI) Program. See “PROJECT BUDGET” for further detail and payment schedule.

LOCATION 
The building is located at 1215 East Fir Street, at the intersection of Yesler Terrace, the Central District, and Chinatown International District. This Request for Qualifications is looking for artists/artist teams who will focus on external 3D Art locations. The building has multiple options for installation locations, including many that are visible to the Yesler Street traffic, Seattle Streetcar, Bailey Gatzert Elementary, and Washington Hall. Please see below photos of exterior 13th & Fir to understand the space. 

Please note that art cannot be affixed to the fiber cement panels (white panels), brick walls, or awnings on the exterior of the building. Any projects on the sidewalk are possible with receipt of additional approval from the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) due to the right of way. Items like benches, bike racks, etc are possible and will need to meet appropriate codes. Additional technical details and feasibility scoping can be completed in consultation with SCIDpda and the building architect.

13th & Fir currently features murals in five (5) locations on the exterior of the building. Photos of these murals can be viewed here. Two (2) additional murals will be installed on the West facade in Summer 2026. 

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 
Artists will participate in two (2) in-person community forums to collect community feedback and inform the 3D Art designs. These community forums will engage residents of 13th & Fir and the surrounding community.

During the forums, artists will
(1) present previous work to showcase their art style
(2) familiarize themselves with the community members and their perspectives on art at 13 & Fir
(3) be prepared to discuss themes and ideas with attendees to collaboratively build the design with the community.

Design proposals will be built after community engagement is completed and should incorporate feedback from engagement events.

Forums will be scheduled between Late May – Early June 2026, based on artist availability. To engage the greatest number of community members, we will schedule one forum on a weekday evening and one forum on a weekend afternoon.

ARTIST SELECTION PROCESS

Phase 1: Request for Qualifications. Artist and artist teams are invited to submit their qualifications for consideration. A detailed list of required submission materials is listed below under “RFQ SUBMISSION MATERIALS.” All submissions must be made by Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM PST via email to 206zulu@gmail.com.

PROJECT TIMELINE – 2025

* Exact project timeline can be adjusted to meet project needs

PROJECT BUDGET 

PAYMENT SCHEDULE 
Payments will be made directly to the artist using the following schedule: 

• $9,150 will be paid upon full execution of contract  
• $9,150 will be paid after completion of community engagement events 
• $30,000 will be paid for approval of final draft  
• $30,000 will be paid for the approval of the detailed installation plan 
• $13,000 will be paid for completion of 3D Art 

RFQ SUBMISSION MATERIALS 
Please send a proposal to 206zulu@gmail.com addressing the following: 

1. Current CV/resume. Teams must submit one resume/CV per team member. 
2. Cover Letter or Letter of Interest and Approach limited to one page. Applicants should briefly describe their interest in the project, approach to community-based art, personal connection to the Central District/CID community, and a description of your creative vision for the project and how it connects and aligns with community values and themes in the Art Plan. 
3. Portfolio showcasing 3-5 previously completed 3D Art projects that demonstrates an ability to design, create, and install outdoor 3D Art. For each project include:
   
   • The name of the project
   • Artist name(s) 
   • Location 
   • Total length of project and date completed 
   • Medium and size details 
   • Project budget (where applicable) 
   • 2-3 photos showing distinctive views of each piece, including one wide shot and one detail shot of each artwork  
   • 100-word or less description of the project and how it relates to this 3D Art RFQ (e.g. is a public art piece, a 3D Art project, a piece designed with a neighborhood or community organization, etc)
4. Three (3) professional references. Please include name, title, affiliation, phone number and email address. 
5. Submission Format: Responses shall be submitted as a single PDF file. 
6. Submit proposal via email to 206zulu@gmail.com. 
7. Additional Materials: Artists may include up to five (5) selections of support materials (links) such as reviews, news articles, and other related information. 
8. Deadline: April 15, 2026 by 5:00 PM PST. 

ELIGIBILITY 
Artists who are over the age of 18 and located within the United States are eligible to submit their interest and qualifications. Students are not eligible to apply. BIPOC artists with personal ties to the neighborhood and Seattle are highly encouraged to apply. Artists must be available for in-person community engagement events as outlined on the project timeline. Ability to attend 3D Art unveiling event preferred but not required. Artists who have a strong professional profile, experience in producing public 3D Art and/or have successfully worked on collaborative projects of this scale are encouraged to apply. Artist teams may also apply. Artists must be able to adhere to the project timeline. 

Please note, designs may not include AI-generated imagery or content created using generative AI platforms. Standard design software tools (e.g., Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop) may be used; However, the conceptual artwork and visual elements must be created by the artist.   

RFQ SELECTION CRITERIA 
Submissions will be scored on the following, with a maximum score of 100 points: 

• Artistic Excellence (30 points): The artist’s work reflects artistic excellence, innovation, and originality as evidenced by quality of craftsmanship and mastery of skills and techniques; demonstrates professional approaches to processes and presentations; and/or communicates a unique vision or perspective 
• Professional Experience (25 points): The artist’s professional experience is adequate to meet the demands of the project, including a proven ability to meet project budgets, deadlines, and to perform work in a timely and professional manner. Public art experience is required. 
• Experience working on a project of similar scale (30 points): Previous work that can specifically demonstrate the successful completion of projects that include partnering with stakeholders for the purpose of creating public 3D art of this size, scale, and budget requirements. 
• Values and Theme (15 points): How aligned is the artist’s proposal and personal outlook reflected in the community values and ability to incorporate the themes and ideas presented. 

SUBMISSION DEADLINE 
All materials must be received by 5:00 PM PST on April 15, 2026. Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered. 

About SCIDpda: The Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority (SCIDpda) is a community development organization whose mission is to preserve, promote, and develop the Seattle Chinatown International District (CID) as a vibrant community and unique ethnic neighborhood. We have over a 45-year success record of increasing neighborhood sustainability through innovative programs and projects that balance development and preservation. 

About 206 Zulu: A non-profit organization based in Washington Hall dedicated to providing accessible spaces while serving communities through the upliftment, preservation, and celebration of Hip Hop culture.