Summary 

ArtsFairfax, in partnership with Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development, seeks artists to submit their qualifications to design digital artwork to be placed upon windscreens in the planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) stations along a 7.5 mile stretch of Richmond Highway in Southeast Fairfax County, VA.

Submissions will be subject to a panel review before selected artists are invited to create a concept design for one or more of the planned BRT stations. Each final design will adorn a large windscreen that runs the length of each station, an area approximately 60’ by 8’ (480 square feet) in size. The size and scale of the windscreen offers a unique opportunity for artists to work with a large area for visual impact.   

Background 

ArtsFairfax has partnered with Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development to facilitate the public art commissions for their Community Charm II initiative, an effort to integrate original public art on each of the nine stations of a planned BRT system for Richmond Highway. Incorporating artwork into the stations will encourage a sense of local character, pride, and overall enjoyment of the BRT system.

See Community Charm Backgrounder 

Scope of Work 

The request for qualification is for the submission of three (3) existing artworks that demonstrate artistic style and ability. On the application, artists will be encouraged to select which of the following categories they prefer to work in; each BRT station will focus on specific themes in the following four categories: 

     Community & Identity

     In this category, the project team seeks an artist who can celebrate a neighborhood’s multicultural population and local identity. 

    Historic Significance

     In this category, the project team seeks an artist who can illustrate the relevance and impact of local historic buildings and institutions, historical development patterns, and cultural history, some of regional and national importance.

    Natural Resources

     In this category, the project team seeks an artist who can capture the local flora, fauna, parks, and other natural resources of the neighborhood.

     Local Government and County Services

     In this category, the project team seeks an artist who can capture the relevance and impact of local government institutions and services to the surrounding community

Selected artists should expect to participate in up to three meetings for community review and input.


 

Selection Process and Criteria 

The selection committee will include representatives from Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development and Department of Transportation, as well as Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation, ArtsFairfax, and representatives of the Richmond Highway community (seven members total).

The selection committee will select up to three (3) artists to create concept proposals for each station. An individual artist may be recommended for more than one station. 

Finalists will receive a stipend (see Project Budget) and additional background information on their assigned station(s). The selection committee, in consultation with the county’s BRT Executive Committee, will narrow it down to two (2) designs per station. These concepts will move forward for community input in a final community engagement process to be led by the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT). That process is expected to take three to four months. At the conclusion of the FCDOT public engagement process, one artist will be chosen for each BRT station. The selected artist will work closely with the County to finalize the design and render the art for transference or application to the station windscreen.

Windscreen Specifications 

The overall windscreen dimensions, as outlined below in blue, are approximately 60’ wide and 8’ tall, and comprised of thirteen individual panels that are 4’ wide.  There are three irregularly shaped panels on one end of each station that will have different dimensions than the other 4’x8’ panels to accommodate the 52’8” width at the top and the 61’11.5” width at the bottom.  

Additionally, there are triangular metal columns that will be in front of the windscreens and will have an impact on the visibility of certain portions of the windscreens. Artwork will only be visible on one side of the windscreen. For greater detail on the windscreen specifications, see Attachment I below.  

See Station Elevation

See Station Section

 
Project Budget 

Artists selected to create a concept design will receive a $500 artist concept design fee. This fee is inclusive of the following:

• Receipt of the concept design
• Availability for up to three committee meetings (which can be virtual) to explain their artistic vision and solicit committee feedback
• Up to two (2) minor revisions based on feedback

Upon conclusion of the selection committee review and FCDOT public engagement process, artists selected for the installation of their work on a station will receive an additional $1,000 per installation. They must provide the final artwork in digital format for transference or application to the future BRT station windscreen.
 

Eligibility
Professional artists, muralists, and graphic design professionals are invited to apply. Public art experience with comparable projects is recommended. Open to all artists and design professionals 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 September 30, 2025 at 7:00 PM EST. 

The following materials will be required: 

• Three (3) images of existing artwork that demonstrates artistic style and ability. 
• Each image must be numbered and include a title, date of completion/installation, media, dimensions (height x width x depth), location, and a brief description of these works.

Questions? Email Shannon Smith, ArtsFairfax Artist & Community Partnerships Manager at ssmith@artsfairfax.org

Read the complete Ticket & Participation Subsidy Grant Guidelines here. 

Nonprofit arts organizations based in Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, or the City of Falls Church are eligible to apply for Ticket & Participation Subsidy Grants.
The full list of eligibility criteria and funding restrictions begins on the first page of the Grant Guidelines linked above.

Ticket & Participation Subsidy applicants may request up to $5,000 per grant cycle (July 1-June 30). Organizations with under $20,000 in expenses from their most recently completed fiscal year may request a maximum of 25% of their fiscal year expenses. Ticket & Participation Subsidy Grants are paid in full at the time of the award. Eligible expenses include: Ticket Value; Fees/Tuition for classes, camps and workshops; and Transportation Expenses.
Applicants may apply for this grant retroactively. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until available funds are expended.

Prior to submitting a Ticket & Participation Subsidy Grant Application, an applicant must arrange plans with a community partner organization(s) (such as a community center, school, human services provider, etc.) to distribute tickets and have a firm confirmation of interest, including number requested. Applicants may submit the grant application retroactively.

View the complete FY26 Ticket & Participation Subsidy Grant Guidelines here.