Project Overview:
Creative Philadelphia announces a call to commission a series of permanent interpretive panels with integrated augmented reality (AR) components at the Municipal Services Building in Center City Philadelphia.
This public art commission is part of a broader initiative that includes an upcoming public sculpture of Dr. Sadie T.M. Alexander by artist Vinnie Bagwell. Inspired by Sadie T.M. Alexander’s groundbreaking legacy in public service, these interpretive panels will celebrate the City of Philadelphia’s dedicated municipal employees, past, present and future, and provide deeper context for understanding Dr. Alexander’s impact on generations of Philadelphians. The interpretive panels will be located in front of the building’s landscaped areas, flanking the upcoming sculpture. The panels are intended to complement and support the overall site experience.
This commission will provide an opportunity for an artist team to design and fabricate four (4) permanent, sculptural interpretive panels. These panels will incorporate augmented reality (AR) elements to expand storytelling beyond the physical surface of the artwork.
All interested artists are invited to apply. Artists based in Philadelphia are strongly encouraged to apply; however, artists from outside the region will be considered. Please note that multiple in-person site visits will be required throughout the project, and all associated travel costs must be covered within the project budget.
This is a two-part selection process consisting of:
Up to three (3) finalists will be invited to submit short, concept proposals and attend an interview. At no point should artists submit design proposals.
Project Background:
The Municipal Services Building (MSB), located at 1401 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, serves as a central hub for city government operations, housing a range of public-facing departments and services.
The surrounding Paine Plaza recently underwent renovations in Spring 2026 that significantly enhanced the site. In 2027, a new sculpture by artist Vinnie Bagwell will be installed, honoring Sadie T.M. Alexander, a pioneering civil rights leader, lawyer, and economist, who was the first African American in the United States to receive a Ph.D. in economics, and the first African American woman Assistant City Solicitor for the City of Philadelphia.
The MSB Interpretive Panels are intended to deepen public understanding of:
The panels will integrate physical design with digital storytelling through AR, offering layered experiences that can include audio, video, animation, or interactive content accessible via mobile devices.
Goals of the MSB Interpretive Panels Project:
1. Interpret Civic History of Municipal Workers in Philadelphia
The panels should illuminate and celebrate the history and contributions of Philadelphia’s municipal workers across departments and civic spaces.
2. Honor the Legacy of Sadie T.M. Alexander
One panel should meaningfully engage with the life, work, and enduring impact of Sadie T.M. Alexander, highlighting her historic municipal service role as the first African American woman Assistant City Solicitor; her advocacy for Black communities and civil rights; and her leadership as a founding member and first National President of Delta Sigma Theta.
3. Connect Past, Present, and Future
The panels should address the city’s past, present, and future municipal workers, reflecting a temporal arc, highlighting historical foundations, contemporary civic life, and future possibilities for public service and civic engagement.
4. Engage Through Storytelling and Technology
Augmented reality should be used to enhance storytelling, offering dynamic and accessible ways to engage with content such as interviews and archival material through interactive digital experiences.
5. Inspire Youth and Lifelong Learners
The panels should be engaging and educational, particularly for young people, fostering curiosity about civic systems and encouraging future participation in city life.
6. Complement the Primary Artwork
The panels should be visually complementary and deferential to the Sadie T.M. Alexander sculpture as the primary focal point of the site.
7. Function With and Without Technology
The physical panels must function as compelling and educational standalone artworks, with the AR component enhancing, not replacing, the experience.
Description of Artwork Requirements & Location:
The project will consist of four (4) interpretive panels, positioned along a prominent pathway and flanking the Sadie T.M. Alexander sculpture.
The panels should:
Panels will be installed within planters or mounted to structural elements, with site-specific engineering requirements provided during the finalist stage.
Careful consideration must be given to sightlines, ensuring that the panels do not obstruct key views of the sculpture and allow for clear photographic documentation of the site as a cohesive composition.
Upcoming statue of Sadie T.M. Alexander, by Vinnie Bagwell.
Red lines indicate where interpretive panels will be placed, and the yellow line indicates the approximate placement of the upcoming Sadie T.M. Alexander statue by Vinnie Bagwell.
Augmented Reality (AR) Component:
Each panel must incorporate an AR component that enhances the interpretive experience.
AR approaches may include (but are not limited to):
The specific technological approach (e.g., web-based AR vs. app-based platforms) will be developed collaboratively with Creative Philadelphia to ensure accessibility and long-term sustainability.
Artists should consider:
Content Development:
Content will be developed collaboratively between the selected artist/team and a project advisory committee, which will include historians, subject matter experts, and representatives connected to the legacy of Sadie T.M. Alexander and City Municipal Workers.
Artists are expected to:
Community Engagement:
Creative Philadelphia will lead community engagement efforts, to gather input from City employees, youth and the public. Engagement will focus on identifying what types of storytelling and interactive elements are most compelling and accessible to diverse audiences.
The selected artist/team will be expected to:
Budget:
A total budget of $250,000 has been allocated for this commission.
This budget must include:
Artist Team Requirements:
Artists should apply as teams. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to address all aspects of the project, including:
Applications should clearly identify team members and their roles. There may be one lead artist who collaborates/contracts with third parties to complete specific tasks.
Submission Process:
The selection process consists of two phases: Part 1, Submission of Qualifications and Part 2, Finalists Round. All interested artists and teams are invited to respond to this Call for Artists by submitting an application that outlines their qualifications only - no design proposals are required. The Part 1 application period will remain open for four () weeks, during which applicants must submit their materials through the free online application platform Submittable.
PART 1: SUBMISSION OF QUALIFICATIONS
Artist Informational Meeting
On June 30th from 6PM-7:00PM, Creative Philadelphia will host an optional Artist Informational Meeting via Zoom to provide interested applicants an opportunity to learn more about the project, application process, and expectations. All questions raised during this meeting will be answered in writing and posted publicly on Creative Philadelphia’s website to ensure equal access to information.
To Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/xJNeY82cTtCtb1PCQO1NJA
Selection of Finalists
Following the application deadline on July 12th, three (3) finalists will be selected to advance to Part 2.
Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
Has the artist demonstrated that they have the technical skills and experience to complete a project of this scale? Do they have the ability to both design and fabricate the panels, create new media, and integrate AR components into the artwork?
Does the artist’s portfolio reflect a clear and unique visual identity or artistic voice?
Does the artist’s prior work provoke a meaningful emotional, sensory, or intellectual response? Does it feel memorable and compelling beyond its technical or stylistic merit?
Will the artist’s proposed approach have an impact on youth, City employees, and the broader public? Is their process inclusive, collaborative, and rooted in respect for community voice?
Does the artist’s vision, methods, and background align with the goals and context of this project? Do they have the potential to connect emotionally and culturally with the community?
PART 2: FINALISTS ROUND
During Part 2, finalists will be asked to develop short proposals and invited to a virtual interview. Each finalist will be paid $1,000 for their time.
Proposals
Prior to their interviews, finalists will be asked to submit:
Interview Process
Interviews will be conducted by City employees
Notification of Results
All applicants will be notified of their status via email. Finalists must confirm their continued interest in writing to proceed to Part 2. Upon the completion of the interviews, one artist or team will be selected by the committee as the winner.
Please note, if an artist is not selected from the group of finalists, the City reserves the right to return to the original group of teams who responded to this Call for Artists or otherwise solicit new proposals. Creative Philadelphia reserves the right to change, modify or revise the Call for Artists in part or whole, at any time without prior notice. Creative Philadelphia reserves the right to make no selection for this Call for Artists. An example contract is attached and is expected to be reviewed by all applicants. The selected artist must meet the Insurance and other requirements listed in the contract. If candidates have any questions or requests for changes to the contract, these should be raised prior to submitting their art proposals.
WINNING ARTIST
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, RESEARCH & CONCEPT DESIGN
Once selected, the winning artist/team will receive a $10,000 stipend (Provided in addition to the $250,000 project budget and awarded prior to contract execution) to attend Creative Philadelphia-led community engagement activities, begin research and provide conceptual designs. This research will include speaking with historians and community partners identified by Creative Philadelphia, which should inform the narrative content embedded into the panels and AR components. The project will include the following phases:
Visioning Meeting with Creative Philadelphia
The artist/team will attend a meeting with Creative Philadelphia staff to discuss and envision possibilities for the project’s direction.
Site Visit
Attend an in-person site visit where the artist will be given detailed information about the location and any technical requirements for installation.
Community Touch Points
Creative Philadelphia will lead 3–4 touch points that focus on identifying what types of storytelling and interactive elements are most compelling and accessible to diverse audiences. The artist/team is expected to contribute ideas, attend live events and review collected data.
Research
Creative Philadelphia will identify historians and project partners with whom the artist should consult to identify topics of exploration for the panels and AR components. The artist/team will be expected to follow up through additional self-guided research.
Storyboard/Concept Design
The artist/team will develop preliminary storyboard materials or equivalent concept visuals for the panels that also begin to articulate how research, historical content, and interpretive themes may be translated into the associated AR experience. These materials are intended to support early alignment with Creative Philadelphia and the advisory committee.
Art Commission
The artist/team will present a full proposal to the Philadelphia Art Commission, the regulatory body that reviews and approves all public art placed on Philadelphia’s public property.
DESIGN FINALIZATION & FABRICATION
The winning artist/team will enter into a contract with the City of Philadelphia, initiated by Creative Philadelphia upon selection. While the contract is being executed, a process expected to take three to five months, the artist will complete the community engagement, research and concept design phases listed above. After the contract is finalized, the artist will begin design development and fabrication. It will include the additional following phases:
Panel Designs
The winning artist/team will finalize designs for the four (4) panels, including materials and installation methods. Creative Philadelphia will have final approval and may ask for revisions.
AR Proposal
The winning artist/team will finalize their strategy for creating new media for AR components, along with a plan for AR integration. This will be an iterative process with Creative Philadelphia, who has final approval and may ask for revisions.
Narrative Content
The winning artist/team will outline what content about Sadie T.M. Alexander and municipal workers they wish to include in the panels and AR components, which should be strongly informed by the advice of identified historians and project partners. Creative Philadelphia will have final approval and may ask for revisions.
Fabrication & Installation
Once the panel designs, AR proposal and narrative content have been finalized and approved by Creative Philadelphia, the artist/team will begin preparations needed to fabricate the panels and create the AR components.
Application Requirements:
Creative Philadelphia collects applications and materials through the Submittable platform, which requires all first-time users to create a free account.
Click this link to apply via Submittable:
Oacce.submittable.com/submit/357418/msb-interpretive-panels
Please submit samples that demonstrate your ability to execute the fabrication of interpretive panels and AR components.
To learn more about Creative PHL public art projects, visit:
https://www.creativephl.org/public-art/
If you need application assistance, please contact Paige Phillips at paige.phillips@phila.gov at least 7 days prior to the deadline.
Attachments:
Sample Contract between Winning Artist and City of Philadelphia
Activity Schedule
PART 1 - SUBMISSION OF QUALIFICATIONS
Call for Artists Application opens
June 15, 2026
Artist Informational Meeting (Optional)
June 30, 2026
Deadline for Part 1- Submission of Qualifications
July 12, 2026
Finalists are Notified
July 24, 2026
PART 2 - FINALIST PROPOSALS
Finalists prepare proposals
July 25 – August 9, 2026
Finalist Interviews
August 10-13, 2026
Winning Artist Notified
August 14, 2026
WINNING ARTIST/TEAM SCHEDULE
Community Engagement, Research & Concept Design /
Execute Contract
Sept. – Nov. 2026
Attend Art Commission
December 9, 2026
Design Finalization & Approval
January – February 2027
Fabrication & Installation
March – July 2027
Project Completion
August 2027
*Schedule is subject to change.
About:
Creative Philadelphia provides creative and economic opportunities for all Philadelphians to thrive through the arts. We advance public access to arts and culture, collaborate with local creative communities, and celebrate the city’s cultural assets, contributing to a safer, cleaner, and greener city.
