Alaska State Council on the Arts - UAA Alaska Airlines Sports Arena Public Art Commission

The Alaska State Council on the Arts on behalf of the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) is requesting qualifications from professional visual artists for exterior and interior public artwork to be commissioned for the new Alaska Airlines Center, a multi-purpose sports arena located in Anchorage, Alaska. This RFQ is open to all professional visual artists residing in the United States. Applications from architects, landscape architects, or other design professionals will not be considered unless the design is led by a visual artist.

The total art budget is $600,000 USD, which may be divided to commission interior and exterior artworks. 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 UAA standards and specifications. State laws related to public construction, including licensing, insurance, bonding, and payment of prevailing wage rates, may apply. Up to five finalists may be selected for each location. Finalists invited to propose may be interviewed, provided with plans, and paid to develop detailed design proposals. Finalists may be considered for more than one location and/or site. Installation dates for commissioned artworks are within one to two years from date of contract signing and prior to August 31, 2016.

Artwork should easily identify the building as the home of the UAA Seawolves and provide an opportunity for athletes and visitors to regard the Seawolf as a bearer of good luck. Artwork should be visually appealing and engage those who work in or frequently visit the facility, while also being intriguing for first-time visitors and members of the general public. The installed artwork must be permanent and designed to last the life of the building. Artwork must be compatible with climate conditions typical of Anchorage, where snow accumulates from October through March, and must be designed so that snow removal does not require special equipment or extra duties. Areas of circulation and public access around artwork must be ADA compliant. Artists are required to submit a letter of interest (no more than one page), ten digital images of past work, and a resume.