Request for Qualifications 

Temporary Art Installation Opportunity at Tysons Corner Center in Fairfax, VA

Summary

ArtsFairfax is accepting qualifications from artists, artist teams, and arts organizations for temporary art installations at Tysons Corner Center, a mixed-use destination owned by Macerich. The company is seeking artists and arts organizations to activate areas of the shopping center and outdoor plaza with art. 

The selected artists/teams/organizations will provide visual art exhibitions for temporary installation at the shopping center. Both static and interactive installations will be considered.

Background

ArtsFairfax has partnered with Macerich, the owners and developers of Tysons Corner Center, to showcase local artists, artist teams, and arts organizations, particularly those who live or work in Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, or the City of Falls Church. Through a series of temporary art installations, the millions of people who explore Tysons Corner Center’s retail and entertainment offerings will discover the diversity, creativity, and quality of visual artists from the Fairfax region.

Tysons Corner Center offers a mix of more than 300 retail brands, 40 dining destinations, a Hyatt Regency, VITA Luxury Apartments, and a 16-screen stadium seating and IMAX 3D AMC Theatres. Tysons’ outdoor plaza offers concerts and community events. 

Tysons Corner Center is located about ten miles west of Washington, D.C. just off the Capital Beltway (I-495) near the intersection of Routes 7 and 123.

The goal for this initiative is to use the arts to engage the general public and reflect Macerich’s investment in the local community. ArtsFairfax and Macerich are looking for artwork that will:

1. Use the arts to activate the space while creating a unique environment.

2. Brand Tysons Corner Center as an innovative retail & entertainment community with a contemporary, progressive, and creative character.

3. Promote the work of local artists and arts organizations.

Exhibition Spaces

The exhibition spaces use existing, adequate lighting and vary throughout the center. Selected artists/teams will be responsible for matting, framing, glazing, security mounting, pedestals, cases, and/or other necessary preparation and installation of the work in a public space. 

Wall Spaces

Ideal for 2-D art. Ceiling height is approximately 9 ft and widths vary. No art can be installed from the ceiling. 

Courtyards – Indoor and Outdoor Spaces Available

Ideal for 3-D art. Pedestals and display boxes need to be provided and installed by programmer/artist if needed. No art can be installed from the ceiling. Sculpture, objects, and installations can be placed in the center of the space. 

If selected, a space at the center will be chosen by Macerich that best displays your work. The space is fully accessible during Tysons Corner Center regular hours of Monday through Saturday from 10AM-9PM and Sunday from 11AM – 7PM. 

Security

Exhibition spaces are well lit with cameras on site as well as strolling mall security.

Insurance

Macerich will not provide insurance. Artists are required to have a liability policy that covers them for the onsite installation of the Artwork. Insurance on the Artwork itself is optional, although recommended, as Macerich is not liable for loss, theft, or damage to the Artwork while it is on display at the Center. 

Submissions

Applications must be submitted on-line at https://artsfairfax.submittable.com. Applications will remain open and considered on a rolling basis. 

The following materials will be required to be uploaded: 

1. Statement of Interest and description of your work or project, 

2. Resume outlining your professional accomplishments; priority will be given to applicants with past exhibition experience. 

3. Installation shots of past exhibitions/work of similar scope, scale. 

Selection Process, Timeline, and Criteria

Eligibility

Professional artists, design professionals, and arts organizations are invited to apply as individuals or teams; one or more member must serve as the applicant. The applicant must live or work in Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, or the City of Falls Church.

Contracts will be awarded on a rolling basis pending available spaces.

Each temporary art exhibition will be installed for a minimum of 8 weeks. Artists/teams/organizations may apply more than once.

Macerich and Turning Art, Inc. will be the determiner of selection. All fees and project costs will be negotiated between Macerich/Turning Art and artist/artist team/organization.

Questions about the submission process can be directed to: 

Please contact Allison Mui at amui@artsfairfax.org.

Project Documents

Visual Artists Sample Contract

Certificate of Completion Template

Community Backgrounder

Summary
     ArtsFairfax, in partnership with Mount Vernon District Office, Fairfax County, seeks an artist or artist team to design, fabricate, and install a permanent sculpture at the Lorton Police Station and Animal Shelter that will signal the site’s offering of hospitality, safety, and community engagement. This location offers visibility and a unique opportunity to create impactful public art that will represent a point of pride at a high traffic Fairfax County facility.    

Background
     ArtsFairfax has partnered with the Mount Vernon District Office to commission an original new work of public art in Fairfax County, Virginia, for the Lorton Police Station and Animal Shelter. This facility was developed to accommodate the growing population of southern Fairfax County and house the County’s newest animal shelter, which offers such services as rabies clinics, pet adoptions, spay and neuter services, wildlife education and a volunteer program in a convenient location.

Installation Site
     The site is in a landscaped exterior courtyard adjacent to arched covered walkways and a public parking lot for the Lorton District Police Station (8855 Lorton Road) and the Fairfax County Animal Shelter – Lorton Campus (8875 Lorton Road). The site faces Lorton Road and is exposed to natural elements.  

 
Scope of Work
     This request for qualifications is for the submission of a portfolio in consideration for the commissioning of one (1) exterior sculpture. After review by the selection committee, three (3) artists will be shortlisted to develop the concept artwork for the sculpture. The selection committee will then review submitted draft concepts before making a final selection of one (1) artist. No art is being requested at this time, only an art portfolio for review of capabilities and art style.  

          The commissioned artwork will:  
 

• Welcome visitors to the police station and animal shelter  

• Serve as a local landmark for community gathering and engagement 

• Reflect the values of the Lorton Community (see enclosed Backgrounder). 

The desired dimensions for the sculpture are a maximum footprint of 4’0” wide x 4’0” deep with a maximum height of 8’0” (the artist may recommend other sizes for consideration by the selection committee).

     If the artwork includes vertical structural elements, the design shall include certification of the design, connections, and footings by a Commonwealth of Virginia licensed structural engineer and permitted through Fairfax County Land Development Services. The sculpture must be designed to withstand wind loads. Basic wind speed for the project location is 90 MPH. Fairfax County will provide a survey of underground utilities if required.  

Project Budget
     The $50,000 artist fee includes design, engineering, permits, coordination with Fairfax County, materials, fabrication, insurance, travel, packing, shipping, installation, and a maintenance plan for the artwork. All necessary site preparation, such as the concrete base or a junction box for lighting, will be provided by the artist including specifications for the base and lighting needs.  
 

Eligibility  

Professional artists and design professionals are invited to apply as individuals or teams.  Public Art experience with comparable scaled projects is required. Open to all professional artists residing in the United States. Preference will be given to local and regional artists  

How to Submit Qualifications 
      Applications must be submitted to https://artsfairfax.submittable.com by June 20, 2025, at 7:00PM EST.

The following materials will be required to be uploaded: 
 

1. Statement of Interest.  Describe your interest in the project and experience working on comparable projects, and preliminary ideas for how you would approach this project. If applying as a team, identify all team members in the statement. (500 words maximum)  

2. Resume. Maximum of three pages outlining your professional accomplishments.  If submitting as a team, please include resumes for each team member, with each resume being no longer than three pages.  

3. Portfolio At least five unique examples of installed past work of similar scope, scale and budget as shown with a minimum of five and a maximum of ten (10) jpeg images of prior public art projects. Each image must be numbered and include the title, date of completion/installation, media, dimensions (height x width x depth, in feet), location, final project cost and a brief description of the work.  

Selection Process and Criteria: 
     The selection committee will include representatives from the Lorton community, site users, Mount Vernon District government office, Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Facilities Management Department, and ArtsFairfax. The selection committee will select artist/team(s) based on preliminary submission materials and will interview up to three (3) finalists. The following criteria will be used to make the selections: 
 

• Artistic merit as evidenced by digital representation of past work.  
•  Experience of artist/team with projects of similar scale and scope.  
• Appropriateness of the artist/team’s medium, style, and previous professional experience as they relate to the goals and site for this project.  
• The ability of the artist to successfully work within the project timeline and budget.  

If selected, Finalists will meet with project stakeholders prior to their concept proposal submission. Finalists Invited to interview and present their proposals will receive an honorarium of $500. Site visits are welcome. Proposals will include:  
 

1. A written description of the project (up to 1000 words), which includes an overview of the concept, description of materials and fabrication method being contemplated;  

2. Visual illustration(s) of the concept(s) in either a rendering or maquette;  

3. Site plan showing how artwork will fit into the site;   

4. Preliminary schedule to complete the piece, including permitting and survey activities; and 

5. Preliminary budget for major costs, including materials, fabrication, insurance, installation requirements, transport, and fee considerations.  

6. The artist will need to agree to the Fairfax County purchase order terms and conditions (FFX_PO_Terms.pdf ) and submit a W-9 form.  

 
Anticipated Schedule   (subject to change)
          RFQ Issue date - April 10
          Submissions Deadline - June 20 at 7:00pm ET
          Notification of Finalists - July 31
          Finalist interviews - August
          Finalist Draft Artwork due - September 9
          Artist awarded - by October 3
          Artist completes artwork and engineering - by October 24
          Final designs approved & Public Announcement - TBD

Project installation is expected in Spring 2026.
 

Questions  

Please contact Shannon Smith, Artist & Community Partnerships Manager, at SSmith@ArtsFairfax.org for questions on this RFQ.