Alaska State Council on the Arts: Kodiak High School Public Artwork Commission

The Alaska State Council on the Arts on behalf of the Kodiak Island Borough & School District is requesting qualifications from artists for interior and exterior public artwork to be commissioned for Kodiak High School in Kodiak, Alaska. This RFQ is open to all professional artists residing in the United States. Applications will be accepted online only through CaFÉ at www.callforentry.org. Submitted applications will be judged on a competitive basis. Finalists may be considered for more than one location or site, and will be provided with plans and paid to develop detailed design proposals and/or meet with the art committee to discuss design ideas.

The total budget for art is $590,000, divided to commission artworks across six identified locations: exterior concrete patio at the covered main entry ($50K), welcome center and welcome wall ($125K), cascading commons ($50K), gymnasium entrance ($125K), main corridor ($150K), and student gathering areas ($75K). 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 made to ASCA standards and specifications. State laws related to public construction, including licensing, insurance, bonding, and payment of prevailing wage rates, may apply.

The overall theme of the artwork should reflect the environment and celebrate the natural resources of Kodiak Island while emphasizing the educational atmosphere of Kodiak High School. The iconic Kodiak bear, the high school's mascot, may also be represented. There are no restrictions on the style or design of the artwork, but proposers must provide assurance that the artwork will be constructed of appropriate and durable materials with minimal routine maintenance. The installation must be designed to last the life of the building. Kodiak High School is located in a Zone 4 Earthquake area subject to extreme seismic activity; any suspended pieces must hang at least 18" below the sprinkler system and cannot impede water flow. Deadline for entries: July 23, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. MDT. Finalists will be notified August 3, 2012, with proposals due August 31, 2012.