Alaska State Council on the Arts - UAA Engineering & Industry Building Public Art Commission

The Alaska State Council on the Arts on behalf of the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) is requesting qualifications from artists for exterior and interior public artwork to be commissioned for the new Engineering & Industry Building, 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.

Submitted applications will be judged on a competitive basis from which 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. The Art Selection Committee will choose the final sites and the best possible artwork for each site. The total art budget is $500,000 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.

Artwork may relate to the concept of engineering on display because the building itself is a teaching instrument for students. The artwork theme may also be connected to how engineering is different or unique in Alaska due to the effects of climate or geology, or the math and research involved in engineering for cold weather and earthquake zones. Artwork may refer to broader themes such as sustainability, alternative energy, or a composition that is affected by remote occurrences. 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. Installation dates for commissioned artworks are within one to two years from date of contract signing and prior to August 31, 2016. Possible art sites include the first level lobby wall, second level Student Commons east wall, second level corridor glass at breakout rooms, elevator lobby east walls, a landscaped area north of the main entry, and service yard fence panels.