Alaska State Council on the Arts: University of Alaska Anchorage Health Sciences Building Commission

The Alaska State Council on the Arts, on behalf of the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), is requesting qualifications from Alaska artists for interior artwork to be commissioned for the new Health Sciences Building currently under construction in Anchorage, Alaska. This RFQ is open to all professional artists residing in Alaska. The total art budget is $300,000 USD, which may be divided to commission multiple interior 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.

The Health Sciences Building is a 65,321 square-foot facility that will accommodate the academic programs of the School of Nursing, Alaska WWAMI Biomedical Program and Allied Health Sciences. The building features offices and classrooms, interactive simulation labs, seminar rooms and student activity spaces. Artwork should portray healing and teamwork, with imagery that is calming, contemplative, relaxing and organic. Artwork themes should convey a nurturing environment and serve as a source of relief or respite. The installed artwork must be permanent and designed to last the life of the building. Artwork of all media will be considered. Viewers may touch artwork if installed in an accessible location, therefore artwork within reach must endure substantial public use. Routine maintenance and display considerations must be minimal, and replacement features must be commercially available in Alaska.

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 pricing/budget range; 10 digital images of past work created in the past 10-15 years; a resume no more than two pages; and names, titles and phone numbers for three professional references. Up to five finalists may be selected and invited to propose, potentially with interviews and paid design proposal development. Expected art installation date is prior to August 31, 2012 or as soon as artwork is complete and installation can be coordinated with UAA staff.