Request for Qualifications: Public Art Tour Map Design
Project Budget: $15000
Issue Date: July 22, 2026 12:00 PM
Closing Date: October 14, 2026 5:00 PM
VISION AND MISSION
The city of Las Vegas illuminates arts and culture and celebrates its bold, dynamic, and diverse community by providing access to artworks within city spaces and the public realm. The Public Art and Gallery Program serves valley residents and visitors by acquiring and displaying artworks in public spaces and supporting community-led public art efforts.
DESCRIPTION
The city of Las Vegas Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs seeks qualifications from graphic designers, illustrators, cartographers, creative agencies, and multidisciplinary design teams to develop a visually engaging printed Public Art Tour Map System that celebrates the city's growing public art collection.
The selected designer or team will create a distinctive visual identity and map experience that encourages residents and visitors to discover public artwork throughout Las Vegas through self-guided walking and driving tours. The city seeks a creative and visually compelling solution that not only serves as a navigational tool but also functions as a distinctive cultural resource and promotional asset for city of Las Vegas public art. The resulting map system should inspire exploration, support cultural tourism, and reflect the unique character of the city of Las Vegas.
We welcome innovative approaches ranging from traditional wayfinding maps to artist-designed interpretive maps that function as both navigational tools and collectible cultural resources.
PROJECT GOALS
The Public Art Tour Map System should increase awareness of the city’s permanent public art collection, encourage exploration of neighborhoods and cultural districts, connect users to the city’s digital public art collection and online resources, create a recognizable visual identity for city of Las Vegas public artwork, serve both residents and visitors, and function effectively across print, digital, and mobile formats.
BUDGET
The selected designer or design team will be awarded a design contract ranging from $10,000 to $15,000.
The city of Las Vegas anticipates selecting three to five semifinalists to participate in a paid proposal phase. Each selected semifinalist (designer or design team) will receive a $500 honorarium to develop and submit a conceptual design proposal. This honorarium is intended solely to compensate semifinalists for the proposal phase and is separate from the budget for the final design contract.
Following the proposal review and interview process, one designer or design team will be selected to enter into a contract with the city of Las Vegas for final design development and implementation. The city reserves the right to negotiate the final scope of work, project schedule, and contract amount with the selected designer or design team.
ELIGIBILITY
Open to artists, graphic designers, illustrators, cartographers, creative agencies, and multidisciplinary design teams ages 18 and older who reside in the United States, excluding employees of the city of Las Vegas.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
The city seeks applicants with experience in one or more of the following areas: graphic design, cartography and map design, public art interpretation, wayfinding systems, visitor experience design, illustration, interactive mapping, and information design and visual storytelling. Experience working with public agencies, cultural organizations, museums, parks, or tourism destinations is preferred but not required.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
All submissions must be completed online at RFQ: Public Art Tour Map Design Services. All required materials must be compiled into a single PDF document and submitted electronically through the application portal.
The combined PDF must include:
- One‑page Letter of Interest that provides full contact information (name, mailing address, phone number, email, and, if applicable, website or portfolio link).
- Portfolio provides up to 10 examples of relevant work.
- Resume/CV or Team Qualifications
SELECTION CRITERIA
An evaluation panel will review all submissions and select semifinalists based on the following criteria:
- Artistic excellence and originality: The overall quality, creativity, and uniqueness of artistic approach.
- Relevant experience: Demonstrated success in completing projects of similar scale and scope.
- Contribution to the public art collection: The potential to enhance the public art collection.
SELECTION PROCESS
The city of Las Vegas will conduct this opportunity in two phases:
In Phase 1: Request for Qualifications (RFQ), applicants will submit qualifications, portfolio materials, and a statement of interest. A review panel will evaluate submissions and select approximately three to five graphic designers or design teams to advance to Phase 2.
In Phase 2: Paid Request for Design Proposal (RFP), selected semifinalists will develop a conceptual proposal for the Public Art Tour Map System. Finalists will receive project materials, including artwork data, GIS resources, branding information, and staff support. Each finalist will receive a $500 honorarium for the creation and submission of a design proposal. Proposals may include map concepts, visual identity ideas, wayfinding strategies, user experience recommendations, and approaches for organizing and presenting the public art collection.
Following proposal review and finalist presentations or interviews, one designer or design team will be selected to contract with the city of Las Vegas for final design development, production, and implementation.
SELECTION CRITERIA
If selected as a semifinalist, applicants are encouraged to explore creative approaches beyond a traditional map, including illustrated maps, artist-designed maps, walking and driving guides, neighborhood maps, brochures, digital assets, collectible map series, wayfinding systems, and GIS or StoryMap integrations.
RESOURCES
The selected designer/team will receive access to the city of Las Vegas Public Art Collection, including artwork images, metadata, GIS data, branding materials, existing marketing resources, and staff support.
SCOPE OF WORK
The selected designer/team will develop a Public Art Tour Map System, including concept development, visual identity, route and wayfinding strategies, and recommendations for tour formats. Final deliverables will include a citywide public art map, printable brochure or fold-out map, digital and mobile-friendly versions, and supporting marketing materials such as social media graphics, website banners, and promotional artwork.
SCHEDULE
- Request for Qualifications Opens: Wednesday, July 22, 2026
- Request for Qualifications Closes: EXTENDED Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, at 5 p.m. PST
- Evaluation Panel Review and Notification: September 2026
- Semifinalist Proposal Development: October - November 2026
- Semifinalist Presentations and Selection: December 2026
- Contracting Phase: January 2027
- Project Completion: Spring 2027
QUESTIONS?
We’re here to help! Please email if you have any questions.
City of Las Vegas Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs
Email: [email protected]