Alaska State Council on the Arts - Bethel Youth Facility Public Art Commission

The Alaska State Council on the Arts, on behalf of the State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, is requesting qualifications from artists for interior artwork to be commissioned for the new Bethel Youth Facility in Bethel, Alaska. This RFQ is open to all professional artists residing in the United States. Applicants must be visual artists; applications from architects, landscape architects, or other design professionals will not be considered unless included as part of an artist-led team. Alaska artists in the Bethel region are encouraged to apply.

The total art budget is $150,000, divided to commission interior artworks across four locations: Detention Unit ($26,000), Treatment Unit ($26,000), General Purpose Room ($52,000), and Lobby ($26,000). 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.

Artwork should have a connection to the Bethel region and invoke Alaska Native cultural awareness. Specific themes include: calming and soothing artwork for the Detention Unit; nature-themed artwork evoking outdoor settings for the Treatment Unit; artwork related to community festivals for the General Purpose Room; and artwork reflecting the Bethel region and Alaska Native cultural awareness for the Lobby. Artwork must be of durable media, secured to walls with security hanging devices, and designed to be permanent and last the life of the building. Maintenance must be minimal and not require special equipment. The BYF Art Selection Committee will review applications and contact finalists prior to January 31, 2015. Art should be installed before December 31, 2016 or as soon as artwork is complete and installation can be coordinated with the project manager and BYF staff.

Applications must include a one-page letter of interest describing your approach to public art, connection to project themes, why your medium suits the building, and pricing or budget range of past work, plus ten digital images of past work. Applications are accepted online only through CaFÉ at www.callforentry.org.