Alaska State Council on the Arts Percent for Art: State of Alaska Scientific Crime Detection Lab

The Alaska State Council on the Arts, on behalf of the Department of Transportation and Public Safety, is requesting qualifications from professional artists residing in the United States for interior and exterior artwork to be commissioned for a new State of Alaska Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory in Anchorage, Alaska.

Up to five finalists may be selected for each location. Finalists will be provided with plans and paid to develop detailed design proposals. The total art budget is $425,000 USD, divided between Site #1 Front Exterior ($350,000) and Site #2 Interior ($75,000). Selected artists' budgets will include all costs of design, engineering, fabrication, installation, artwork transportation, special handling fees, special lighting, 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.

Site #1 artwork should portray a progression or journey toward hope, strength and triumph, honoring victims of crime while focusing on survivors, family, friends and loved ones. The tone should be serious yet calming and uplifting. Design considerations include ADA compliance, compatibility with the building entry arch, coordination with landscape architect, and snow removal that requires no special equipment. Site #2 artwork will provide respite for employees and should address transformation or gradual recognition of patterns, information or ideas. This site is located at a two-storey spiral staircase with a skylight, glass railings, and a faceted translucent half glass wall. Kinetic artwork is possible but mechanics must be simple and function 100% without electrical motors, computer software, or prototype equipment. All artwork must be permanent, designed to last 50 years, and endure substantial public use with minimal maintenance. Artwork of all media will be considered, including glass, metal, ceramic, or multi-media. Applications are accepted online only through CaFÉ. Project milestones include outdoor sculpture installation May 2, 2012 – June 2, 2012, and indoor artwork installation February 29, 2012 – April 10, 2012, with substantial completion June 2, 2012.