Alaska State Council on the Arts: Beatrice McDonald Hall Photography Commission

The Alaska State Council on the Arts on behalf of the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) is requesting original photographs from Alaska artists to be installed in the Beatrice McDonald Hall, currently under construction in Anchorage. This RFQ is open to all professional artists residing in Alaska. The total art budget is $120,000 USD, which may be divided to commission a series of 10-12 interior photographs. Selected artists' budgets will include all costs of design, copyright, photographic documentation, liability and automobile insurance, and an identifying plaque made to UAA standards and specifications. State laws related to public construction, including licensing, insurance, bonding, and payment of prevailing wage rates, may apply.

The art committee is interested in macro photography, photographs of Alaskan plant life, botanical, aquatic or archaeological specimens, or photographs connected to the study of nature and culture from all regions of the state. The Beatrice McDonald Building houses the Anthropology, Geography, Alaska Native Heritage Program departments and general campus classrooms. The renovation will include a new gathering space with ten wall-mounted, four-foot by four-foot resin panel light boxes that display images connected to the study of nature and culture. Digital images will be infused to 4'x4' LED back-lit wall boxes using a high-resolution process. Expected art installation date is prior to fall 2014 or as soon as artwork is complete and installation can be coordinated with the UAA project manager.

Applications must include: a one-page letter of interest with artist statement, connection to project theme, and pricing information; 10 digital images of past work from the past 10 years (stock photos will not be considered); a resume no more than two pages; and names, titles, and phone numbers for three professional references. Up to five finalists may be selected and may be interviewed. If selected, artists must follow 3-Form image submission requirements. If photographs are selected for final commission, UAA will own the artwork and the artist will retain copyright according to the Visual Artists Rights Act of 1990 (VARA). UAA may not use images for profit but may use images as educational/fair use with the artist's written permission or as agreed upon in the art contract.