Budget: $3,500

Activated: 02/10/2026 Deadline: 03/12/2026

Call Summary Gateway Foundation is seeking experienced artists and artist teams to transform a dying locust tree located in Citygarden into a sculpture which is inspired by its place in the park. The approach can be additive and/or subtractive. Work on the tree sculptures must be done between the beginning of May and the end of August. A Stipend of $3,500 will be paid upon completion of the locust tree sculpture. Artists and/or artists teams must submit a completed application to the Gateway Foundation which includes all of the components outlined in the selection section below. To submit an application, artists and/or artists teams should email all requested documents to info@gateway-foundation.org with email subject: “Citygarden Locust Tree Sculpture Submission”

Budget Description A Stipend of $3,500 will be paid upon completion of the locust tree sculpture.

Project Description This project draws inspiration from the Chicago Tree Project operated by the Chicago Sculpture International and Chicago Park District. This project was inspired by the Chicago Sculpture International. We extend our sincere gratitude for their insights and willingness to lend to this project coming together in St. Louis. Projects completed over the last decade by this group of artists may be viewed at www.chicagotreeproject.org. Your approach will not compromise the integrity of the tree. The objects created will not help people to climb the tree, will not detach from the tree once adhered, and will not require maintenance. The created art work should be designed to be viewed from the ground on a non-interactive basis. Gateway Foundation will provide both scaffolding and site enclosure for the duration of the installation, as determined in the commission agreement between the Foundation and the awarded artist(s). Due to the nature of the tree, the Foundation reserves the right to remove it at their discretion.

Artwork Goals Citygarden is created from three distinct tracts, designed to represent the region’s geographic features: The River Bluffs, The Floodplain, The River Terrace. The Locust tree is located within the Southern River Terrace. The sculpture should take from its surroundings in this band of the park while also inviting visitors to: Explore, Play and Be Inspired.

Artwork Location Description Citygarden Locust located within Citygarden, 801 Market St., St. Louis, MO 63101: 14ft Height and 17.2” Diameter. Please note all limbs longer than 6ft will be trimmed by the Foundation prior to work.

Site History Set on three acres in the Gateway Mall of Downtown St. Louis, Citygarden is an urban sculpture park presenting twenty-nine works by acclaimed artists, thousands of native plantings, and award winning public design to residents and visitors 365 days a year.

Eligibility Artists/Artist team eligibility: artists and/or artists teams who are able to demonstrate a portfolio of work which may translate to the creation of a tree sculpture; artists and/or artists teams who are all at or above the age of 18; and artists and/or artists teams who reside within the St. Louis Metro area. This project is not a residency. Applications from Out-of-town artists will be accepted; however, artists are expected to find lodging while working in St. Louis. Artists who will be installing sculptural elements in their trees must find their own workspace in St. Louis if these elements are not fabricated before work on the tree begins.

Application Requirements

Biography Work examples: 1 - 10

Artists are allowed to apply in teams. Artists applying as a team must split the allotted number of work examples between themselves.

Additional Requirements

LOCUST SCULPTURE CONCEPT Document Upload

Selection Information

Selection Process Artists and/or artists teams must submit a completed application to the Gateway Foundation which includes all of the below components. To submit an application, artists and/or artists teams should email all requested documents to info@gateway-foundation.org with email subject: “Citygarden Locust Tree Sculpture Submission” Artist(s) Profile and Portfolio Profile: Each Artist must share a Profile Document which contains all of the following: Full Name; Residence, Current Address (if different); Email; Phone Number; and Brief Biography which overviews your qualifications to this work (300 words). Portfolio: Each Artist must submit a digital portfolio, this may be shared via a link to a curated selection of works or with attached images. Please send images as jpegs (sized 5" x 8", 150 DPI, 500k or less), and indicate the file name in the following format: “ARTIST NAME. PIECE TITLE” Along with this portfolio, please provide descriptions of the selected works explaining their relevance to this project. Concept Artists and/or artists teams must submit one concept which addresses the below inspiration. Concept Inspiration: Citygarden is created from three distinct tracts, designed to represent the region’s geographic features: The River Bluffs, The Floodplain, The River Terrace. The Locust tree is located within the Southern River Terrace. The sculpture should take from its surroundings in this band of the park while also inviting visitors to: Explore, Play and Be Inspired. Please submit concepts in the following format: Single PDF document labeled “ARTIST NAME. LOCUST SCULPTURE CONCEPT” Included in this PDF file must be multiple sketches which show the piece from different angles and a description of your proposed project (300 words).

Selection Criteria Artist eligibility and concept.

Timeline Proposals are due to the foundation by March 12, 2026 at 11:59pm. Review of proposals will begin the week of March 16, 2026 Notification of artist of consideration will take place the week of March 23, 2026 for discussion of concept with the foundation. Decision will be made on the award of this commission April 2026.

Additional Resources

https://citygardenstl.org/

RFP (PDF)

Contact Information

Heather Sweeney Executive Director 800 Market St., suite 1640 ST. LOUIS MO 63101 United States heather.sweeney@gateway-foundation.org 3142413337

Submission Instructions

Email Address info@gateway-foundation.org

Emailing Submission Instructions Artists and/or artists teams must submit a completed application to the Gateway Foundation which includes all of the below components. To submit an application, artists and/or artists teams should email all requested documents to info@gateway-foundation.org with email subject: “Citygarden Locust Tree Sculpture Submission” Artist(s) Profile and Portfolio Profile: Each Artist must share a Profile Document which contains all of the following: Full Name; Residence, Current Address (if different); Email; Phone Number; and Brief Biography which overviews your qualifications to this work (300 words). Portfolio: Each Artist must submit a digital portfolio, this may be shared via a link to a curated selection of works or with attached images. Please send images as jpegs (sized 5" x 8", 150 DPI, 500k or less), and indicate the file name in the following format: “ARTIST NAME. PIECE TITLE” Along with this portfolio, please provide descriptions of the selected works explaining their relevance to this project. Concept Artists and/or artists teams must submit one concept which addresses the below inspiration. Concept Inspiration: Citygarden is created from three distinct tracts, designed to represent the region’s geographic features: The River Bluffs, The Floodplain, The River Terrace. The Locust tree is located within the Southern River Terrace. The sculpture should take from its surroundings in this band of the park while also inviting visitors to: Explore, Play and Be Inspired. Please submit concepts in the following format: Single PDF document labeled “ARTIST NAME. LOCUST SCULPTURE CONCEPT” Included in this PDF file must be multiple sketches which show the piece from different angles and a description of your proposed project (300 words).