Construction is currently underway for the new City of Reno Public Safety Center, which will soon serve as the headquarters for the Reno Police Department (RPD). Located in the heart of our downtown, the building’s central location helps ensure RPD’s swift emergency response and makes it convenient for residents to access. The site was formerly home to the Reno Gazette-Journal. Renovating the existing building provides a more sustainable option, allowing the City to reduce waste while also preserving a rich piece of the Biggest Little City’s history. 

The City of Reno is seeking artists for a series of five separate projects on site of the new Public Safety Center. The City is looking for projects that take into consideration the history of the site and the unique characteristics of the surrounding environment. However, the theme of the artwork does not need to be directly connected to public safety functions and imagery, or to Reno history.

Selected artist(s) will be expected to work with City staff to conduct community engagement sessions with users of the building and the surrounding neighborhood. The final design of the artwork will be created from input from these sessions.

There are a total of five artistic projects for distinct needs and locations at the new Public Safety Center.

1. Public Safety Center Community Engagement Room 

2. Public Safety Center Outdoor Mural

3. Public Safety Center Vestibules

4. Public Safety Center Kuenzli Sculpture

5. Public Safety Center Plaza Sculpture

Requests for Qualifications from artists will are now closed for all five calls.

Public Safety Center Community Engagement Room - Top Finalists Selected

The City of Reno is seeking artists for an interior public artwork that is appropriate for placement in the Community Engagement Room of the public safety facility and for the diverse Reno community. The artwork will be on two of the walls in the Community Engagement Room. Artwork will need to be 2D, which can include murals or framed/mounted artwork.

The goals for the project include creating a unique character for a specific building, increasing public awareness of art, engaging with the community to create something that reflects the area and use of the space, and broadening visitors’ perspectives of public spaces within the City. The artist(s) selected should have demonstrated experience working in public locations.

The RACC seeks artists with prior public art experience, specifically 2D and mural work. The $25,000 commission will cover all services from design through final installation/implementation, including artist fee, fabrication, insurance, transportation, travel fees, equipment, and installation. Final selection of one artist or team will be made by the PAC, RACC, and stakeholders and approved by Reno City Council based on qualifications and proposal.

Selected artists/artist teams/design team will be expected to work with the community, City staff, and stakeholders to design the final artwork.

See Community Engagement Room project PDF for more details and site images. 

Public Safety Center Outdoor Mural - Top Finalists Selected

The City of Reno is seeking artists for a large-scale public art mural on the exterior of the new Public Safety Center. The selection committee is looking for a unique, one-of-a-kind mural that is appropriate for placement on a public safety facility and for the diverse Reno community. Our vision is for something visually striking and can be seen from Kuenzli Street. The mural will be painted on the exterior south wall of the building. The approximate square footage to be painted is around 3,520 square feet.

The goals for the project include creating a unique character for a specific area of town, increasing public awareness of art, engaging with the community to create something that reflects the area, and broadening visitors’ perspectives of public spaces within the City. The artist(s) selected should have demonstrated experience working in public locations subject to extreme weather.

The RACC seeks artists with prior public art experience, specifically large-scale mural work. The $50,000 commission will cover all services from design through final installation/implementation, including artist fee, fabrication, insurance, transportation, travel fees, equipment, and installation. Final selection of one artist or team will be made by the PAC, RACC, and stakeholders and approved by Reno City Council based on qualifications and proposal.

Selected artists/artist teams/design team will be expected to work with the community, City staff, and stakeholders to design the final artwork.

See Outdoor Mural project PDF for more details and site images. 

Public Safety Center Vestibules - Top Finalists Selected

The City of Reno is seeking artists for an interior public artwork to be installed in the two entry vestibules at the new Public Safety Center. The selection committee is looking for an art installation that is appropriate for placement at the public entrance of the public safety facility and for the diverse Reno community. The incorporation of lighted elements within the artwork is desired, but not required.

The installation will be placed in the public entryway and is subject to vandalism. Artwork should take into account the slanted walls of the vestibules and that the walls are within reach of passersby. The backing material is sheetrock so anything attached would need to be lightweight and of durable materials. Murals and 2D artwork elements may be best suited for this site.

The goals for the project include creating a unique character for a specific area of town, increasing public awareness of art, engaging with the community to create something that reflects the area, and broadening visitors’ perspectives of public spaces within the City. The artist(s) selected should have demonstrated experience working in public locations subject to vandalism and extreme weather.

The RACC seeks artists with prior public art experience, specifically installation of indoor work. The $30,000 commission will cover all services from design through final installation/implementation, including artist fee, fabrication, insurance, transportation, travel fees, equipment, and installation. Final selection of one artist or team will be made by the PAC, RACC, and stakeholders and approved by Reno City Council based on qualifications and proposal.

Selected artists/artist teams/design team will be expected to work with the community, City staff, and stakeholders to design the final artwork.

See Vestibules project PDF for more details and site images. 

Public Safety Center Kuenzli Sculpture - Submissions Currently Under Review

The City of Reno is seeking artists for an exterior public art sculpture to be placed along Kuenzli Street at the new Public Safety Center. The selection committee is looking for a large-scale art project that is appropriate for placement at the employee parking lot entrance of the public safety facility and for the diverse Reno community. The location is highly visible from Kuenzli Street, near the intersection with Manuel Street.  The incorporation of lighted elements within the artwork is required, running conduit will be the part of the artist’s responsibility.

The installation will be placed in a landscaped area within the security fence. Artwork should take into account the slated metal security fence, to maintain visibility from outside of the parking lot.  The location is near the employee entrance directly off Kuenzli Street and will be highly visible to passersby.

The goals for the project include creating a unique character for a specific area of town, increasing public awareness of art, engaging with the community to create something that reflects the area, and broadening visitors’ perspectives of public spaces within the City. The artist(s) selected should have demonstrated experience working in public locations subject to vandalism and extreme weather.

The RACC seeks artists with prior public art experience, specifically large-scale sculptural work. The $200,000 commission will cover all services from design through final installation/implementation, including artist fee, fabrication, insurance, transportation, travel fees, equipment, and installation. Final selection of one artist or team will be made by the PAC, RACC, and stakeholders and approved by Reno City Council based on qualifications and proposal.

Selected artists/artist teams/design team will be expected to work with the community, City staff, and stakeholders to design the final artwork.

See Kuenzli Sculpture project PDF for more details and site images.

Public Safety Center Plaza Sculpture - Submissions Currently Under Review

The City of Reno is seeking artists for an exterior public art installation outside the new Public Safety Center. The selection committee is looking for a unique, one-of-a-kind, public art installation that is appropriate for placement outside the main entrance of the public safety facility and for the diverse Reno community. The placement lends itself to sculpture that takes into account Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED).  The incorporation of lighted elements within the artwork is desired, but not required.

The installation will be placed in the public plaza leading up to the main entrance of the building.

The goals for the project include creating a unique character for a specific area of town, increasing public awareness of art, engaging with the community to create something that reflects the area, and broadening visitors’ perspectives of public spaces within the City. The artist(s) selected should have demonstrated experience working in public locations subject to vandalism and extreme weather.

The RACC seeks artists with prior public art experience, specifically large-scale sculptural work. The $175,000 commission will cover all services from design through final installation/implementation, including artist fee, fabrication, insurance, transportation, travel fees, equipment, and installation. Final selection of one artist or team will be made by the PAC, RACC, and stakeholders and approved by Reno City Council based on qualifications and proposal.

Selected artists/artist teams/design team will be expected to work with the community, City staff, and stakeholders to design the final artwork.

See Plaza Sculpture project PDF for more details and site images.