Alaska State Council on the Arts: AVTEC Dormitory Public Art Commission

The Alaska State Council on the Arts is requesting qualifications from professional visual artists and photographers residing in Alaska for interior artwork to be commissioned for the AVTEC Dormitory in Seward, Alaska. Up to 5 finalists may be selected and interviewed. Finalists may be considered for more than one location or site.

Total art budget is $91,225.00 USD, divided into two commissioned interior artworks. The selected artists' budgets will include all costs of design, engineering, fabrication, installation, artwork transportation, special handling fees, special lighting (if any), photographic documentation, liability and automobile insurance, and an identifying plaque. State laws related to public construction, including licensing, insurance, bonding, and payment of prevailing wage rates, may apply.

The dormitory is a three-story, 35,500 square-foot facility with 120 beds. A prominent feature is a commons area with glass storefront allowing views to Mount Marathon. Site #1 (Open Atrium Location, $73,225.00 budget) provides two opportunities for installing art: to the existing structure above the ceiling space (approximately 21 feet by 17 feet by 10 feet) or to the open wall space adjacent to the two-story glass-storefront curtain wall. Site #2 (Portal Wing Locations, $18,000.00 total budget) offers two options: artwork framing elevator entries on all three levels, or photography of Alaskan-themed subjects fabricated in translucent resin and infused to 4'x4' LED back lit wall boxes.

Artwork should respond to one or more themes: Eco-Living, Indoor Adventure (Gaming) Community, Alaska Outdoor Adventure Community, or Vocational/Technology Living. Artwork must be permanent, designed to last the life of the building, and require minimal maintenance. Expected installation date is March 2015. Applications must include a one-page letter of interest, resume, and 10 digital images of past work.