District Entry Artwork: Historic Downtown Plano Arts District

Overview

The City of Plano is commissioning a permanent District Entry Artwork to mark entry into the Historic Downtown Plano Arts District at the northeast corner of G Ave. and 15th St. The artwork should function as a landmark-quality beacon and be visually strong during the day and at night.

Project Requirements

• Must be compatible with Downtown Plano's historic period of focus, 1890 to 1936, through form, materials, detailing, and overall character. Creative and contemporary interpretations are encouraged.
• Must permanently incorporate the words Heritage, Arts District, and Downtown Plano.
• Must look good during day and night, but cannot be backlit or internally lit.
• Must deter birds from nesting or roosting.
• Must be durable and low maintenance for permanent outdoor streetscape environment.
• Artwork concept and artist-led fabrication plan only; site demolition, foundations, utilities, and landscaping will be performed by a separate contractor.

Key Dates & Process

• Submission deadline: July 27, 2026
• Three to five finalists will be invited to move on in the process.
• Finalists must attend a mandatory site visit in Plano, Texas.
• Finalists will be paid $1,000 to cover travel and proposal development for the finalist round.

Eligibility

Open to professional artists and artist-led teams nationwide.

Phase 1 Submissions

• At least 5 images of completed projects you designed and fabricated (preferably outdoor work or comparable scale), each with: title, year, location; materials and fabrication method; approximate dimensions and weight if known; your role; installation method summary; one sentence on durability and maintenance; one sentence on historic context respect.
• Current resume or CV
• Short bio (if a team, include bio for each member)
• Letter of Interest / Experience Statement including: experience delivering fabricated work from concept through installation; experience coordinating with contractors, engineers, or public agencies; your approach to durability, low maintenance, and public-facing conditions; any experience working in historic districts or culturally significant places.

Phase 2: Finalists Submissions

• Concept drawing package: at least one overall concept drawing or rendering with dimensions; a daytime view and nighttime view; short description of materials, finishes, and required wording integration and readability.
• Fabrication and installation outline: fabrication plan describing materials, fabrication method, finish system, and quality control; proposed schedule including design finalization, engineering coordination, fabrication milestones, shop time, finishing, delivery, and on-site installation; clear description of installation method and site work contractor requirements.
• Maintenance schedule and plan.

Selection Criteria

Submissions will be evaluated on artistic strength and landmark presence as a district beacon; compatibility with the 1890 to 1936 historic period of focus; integration and readability of required wording; durability, low maintenance approach, and bird deterrence strategy; and feasibility of fabrication and clarity of installation requirements for coordination with the site work contractor.

Contact Information

• Email: michelleha@plano.gov
• Phone: 972-941-5800