Please note: there is no geographic eligibility restriction for this opportunity, but qualified applicants should have a connection to the community of North Minneapolis.

North Commons Park sits in what many consider to be the heart of the Northside. It is nine city blocks and more than twenty-five acres—one of the largest neighborhood parks in the Minneapolis system. Close to West Broadway Avenue, the Northside’s major commercial corridor, it is surrounded by a racially and ethnically diverse neighborhood. The park is bounded by Golden Valley Road, James Avenue, Morgan Avenue, and 16th Avenue. It is in the Northeast corner of the Willard-Hay neighborhood of Minneapolis. The Near North neighborhood is to the south. The Jordan neighborhood is one block to the North, and Hawthorne neighborhood is a few blocks to the East.

North Commons was purchased in 1907 and began to be developed shortly after. By 1911 it had become one of the parks most heavily used for sports. In 1971, a new community center with a gymnasium was built. Two years later, an outdoor swimming pool was constructed, making it the first Minneapolis park with both a gym and a swimming pool. North Commons today is an active park that still holds to its tradition of major athletic programs. The northern half is primarily dedicated to active uses, while the southern half features some of the highest quality stands of trees in the neighborhood park system. Landmark oaks and stately conifers are living sculptures among a network of walking trails. This calm, green, meditative section of the park is an important counterpoint to the active uses in the north half. The park is mostly flat, but a small hill rises on the western side, creating an interesting vantage point over the fields and forests.

B. North Commons Park Improvements

The North Commons Park Improvements Project is a once in a generation investment focused on MPRB’s first field house, along with other community-oriented spaces. When the new building opens and this project is complete, MPRB hopes this project will be a catalyst for transformational change in this part of the City of Minneapolis.

This project will completely rebuild the now 26-year-old water park and provide a new parking lot with stormwater management. The enhanced community center will include the original field house with a walking track, new programming spaces for youth and adults, a fitness space, a maker space and concession space serving the building and water park. This project will create a visionary and prominent activity hub that can compete with major recreation facilities in the suburbs.

This project is grounded in the 2019 approved North Service Area Master Plan and the North Commons Park guiding principles, along with extensive community engagement over the past 24 months.

C. North Commons Park Improvements Public Art Project

The City and MPRB are seeking artists/artist teams to collaborate with the design team and community in creating multiple permanent artworks to be integrated into the renovated and expanded North Commons Park Community Center.

Some goals of the public art project include:

• To have a strong sense of place and connection to North Minneapolis and its community.
• To foster feelings of vibrancy, creativity, safety, and belonging.
• To celebrate the natural beauty of North Commons Park.
• To be welcoming to a wide range of park users.
• To be durable and able to be maintained in Minneapolis’ climate and urban environment.

Artists may apply to work with the city, MPRB and the design team to design and create one or more of the following commissions, although each artist or team may only be selected for one. The location and design of the artworks will need to be integrated into the new building design and work within the timeline and construction schedule for the project. The budgets listed include design, fabrication and installation, including all necessary materials, equipment and subcontractors.

D. Public Art Opportunities and Artist Compensation

1. Façade Artwork - $200,000. This artwork will be integrated into the corner of the building above the entrance in a 33’ long (21’+12’) by 7’ high recessed area on the upper level of the building adjacent to the South Plaza. It will serve as a gateway to the park welcoming visitors into the plaza and building.

2. Vinyl Mural Spanning up to 12 Windows - $30,000. Vinyl artworks will be incorporated into the windows on the East side of the building, each measuring 4’ wide by 8’ tall. These works should connect to the scale and character of the residential area across the street. The fee includes the printing and the installation of the vinyl. (Information on this process will be made available to the selected artists.)

3. Interior Painted Murals: Painted murals will support the uses and identity of these unique places in the building. Youth Focused Lounge Mural - $15,000, 12’ tall by 37’ wide Emerging artist opportunity for a teen-focused performance space.

Please see commission document for full project information and application instructions.