---
title: "Request for qualifications (RFQ)"
description: "A call asking artists for past work, experience, and approach rather than a new design, so a shortlist forms before anyone develops concepts."
glossary: "https://www.civiccollection.com/glossary"
source: "https://www.civiccollection.com/glossary/request-for-qualifications"
---

# Request for qualifications (RFQ)

> A call asking artists for past work, experience, and approach rather than a new design, so a shortlist forms before anyone develops concepts.

Glossary: https://www.civiccollection.com/glossary  
Source: https://www.civiccollection.com/glossary/request-for-qualifications

The RFQ is the standard first stage for significant commissions, and its
logic is fairness plus quality: artists are judged on work that exists, the
panel isn't seduced by whoever renders prettiest under deadline, and only
the shortlisted few spend design effort, paid via honorarium.

It also lowers the barrier for artists new to public work. A strong studio
artist may have no public commissions to point to and no proposal-writing
polish, but an RFQ lets the work itself make the case. Programs trying to
diversify their artist rosters usually start here.

Related terms: [Request for proposals (RFP)](https://www.civiccollection.com/glossary/request-for-proposals), [Call for artists](https://www.civiccollection.com/glossary/call-for-artists), [Selection panel](https://www.civiccollection.com/glossary/selection-panel)

## Mentioned in

- [RFP language for procuring a public art guide](https://www.civiccollection.com/toolkit/rfp-language-for-procuring-a-public-art-guide)