Alaska State Council on the Arts: McLaughlin Youth Facility Percent for Art RFQ

The Alaska State Council on the Arts, on behalf of the State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, is requesting qualifications from professional visual artists for interior artwork to be commissioned for the McLaughlin Youth Center (MYC) in Anchorage, Alaska. This RFQ is open to all professional artists residing in the United States. Applications from architects, landscape architects, or other design professionals will not be considered unless included as part of an artist-led team. Applications will be accepted online only through CaFÉ.

The total art budget is $175,000 USD, divided to commission interior artworks across three sites: New Detention Unit (NDU) with $65,000 budget, Secure Treatment Unit (STX) with $80,000 budget, and Intensive Treatment Unit (ITU) with $30,000 budget. 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.

Submitted applications will be judged competitively, from which up to three finalists may be selected. Finalists may be interviewed and provided with plans, paid to develop detailed design proposals, and/or meet with the art committee. The art selection committee will review applications and contact finalists prior to January 31, 2013. Art should be installed before December 31, 2013 or as soon as artwork is complete and installation can be coordinated with project manager and MYC staff.

Artwork should calm youth and be interesting for facility staff and visitors, be relevant for teenage boys from diverse cultures and urban environments, utilize easily identifiable imagery, imply building positive relationships, stability and consistency, and be an intriguing visual touchstone that engages youth. Artwork must be designed so that maintenance does not require special equipment or extra duties performed by staff. The installed artwork must be permanent and designed to last the life of the building. Artwork of all media will be considered. Viewers may touch the artwork if installed in an accessible location, therefore artwork within reach must endure substantial public use.

Applications must include: a short letter of interest (no more than one page) describing your approach to making art for the public realm, how your work connects to the project themes, why your medium would work well with the building, and how your work is priced; 10 digital images of past work created in the past 10-15 years; a current resume (no more than two pages) limiting past art project list to work completed in the past 10-15 years; and names, titles, and phone numbers for three professional references.