Alaska State Council on the Arts - UAA Natural Science 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 interior and exterior artwork to be commissioned for the Natural Science Building currently under renovation. This request for qualifications is open to all professional artists residing in the United States. Applicants must be practicing visual artists; applications from architects, landscape architects, or other design professionals will not be considered unless included as part of an artist-led team. Submitted applications will be judged competitively, with up to five finalists selected for each location. Finalists invited to propose may be interviewed and will be provided with detailed plans and paid to develop detailed design proposals.

The total art budget is $80,000 USD and may be divided to commission one or more interior or 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 should portray a theme related to natural science and the beauty and complexity of nature. Proposed locations include: a rock garden sculpture (stone material desirable); an open staircase wall (12' wide x 7' high with illuminating light fixture); a first floor corridor wall (approximately 16 feet wide by 6 feet high); and two second floor corridor walls (each 12' by 6' high with ceiling lighting). The installed artwork must be permanent and designed to last the life of the building. Artwork of all media will be considered, but must endure substantial public use and require minimal routine maintenance. The committee requests no molecular or industrial design-inspired concepts. Exterior artwork must be designed to accommodate snow accumulation without requiring special equipment or extra maintenance duties.

Application requirements include: a one-page letter of interest describing your approach to public art, connection to the project themes, why your medium suits the building, and your pricing or budget range; 10 digital images of past work created in the past 10-15 years (completed work only, not proposals or sketches); 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. The UAA Art Selection Committee will review applications and contact finalists prior to November 30, 2012. Exterior art will be installed prior to July 31, 2012. Interior art will be installed one year from contract signing or as soon as artwork is complete and installation can be coordinated with the project manager and UAA staff. For additional information, contact Andrea Noble-Pelant at [email protected] or 907-269-6610.