Alaska State Council on the Arts: Nome State Office Building Public Art Commission

The Alaska State Council on the Arts is requesting qualifications from artists for interior and exterior artwork to be commissioned for the recently renovated Nome State Office Building located at 240 Front Street, Nome, Alaska, 99762. This opportunity is open to professional artists residing in Alaska only.

The total art budget is $87,400 USD, divided among commissioned artwork. Selected artists' budgets will include all costs of design, framing, 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. Interior artwork may be located on the walls of the 2nd floor hallway, the Fish and Game reception area, and the main lobby. Exterior work may be located on the front of the building. The Art Selection Committee is requesting contemporary artwork related to traditions and culture of the Nome region. Expected installation date is before June 30, 2016.

Design considerations include: artwork may not have loose or dangling parts; natural materials must be lightfast and not prone to fading; small, delicate artwork requiring protective display cases will not be considered; artwork should complement existing interior finishes; areas of circulation must comply with 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design; and artwork must be designed for minimal maintenance and to last the life of the building. Artwork of all durable media will be considered.

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 how your work is priced; 10 digital images of past work created in the past 10-15 years; a resume no more than two pages listing projects completed in the past 10-15 years; and names, titles, and phone numbers for three professional references. Submissions will be judged competitively, and one to five finalists may be selected. Finalists may be interviewed and considered for more than one location or site.