Aurora K-6 School Gym Addition 2014 - Public Art Commission

The Municipality of Anchorage is announcing a call for qualified artists to create artwork for Aurora K-6 School on the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, under Municipal Code 7.40. This is a national call with Alaska preference.

The art selection jury intends to commission one or two complementary interior art installations ($18,000 or $36,000) to be permanently installed at one or two locations inside the remodeled elementary school located at 5085 10th Street, JBER in Anchorage. Potential placement areas include the foyer of the main entrance (north commons) with three walls just over eight feet tall—the middle wall measures 25' 2 ¼" wide and two oblique walls measure 13' wide—and four main hallways including wall areas above public water fountains. The art selection jury will consider other suggested sites. Project construction began in May 2014 and will be completed by summer 2015, with artwork installation preferable when school is not in session by July 2015.

Aurora Elementary was originally constructed in 1956 and serves approximately 300 students annually. The school was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2013. School colors are royal blue and gold, and the mascot is an eagle. Themes discussed by the Art Selection Jury focused on patriotism, all military branches of service, eagles, the aurora borealis, or other Alaskan themes. The artwork will preferably be functional and/or interactive. The total budget of $36,000 includes all costs of design, fabrication, installation, photographic documentation, catalog documentation, and an identifying plaque. State laws related to public construction, including licensing, insurance, bonding, and payment of prevailing wage rates, may apply.

Artists will be selected based on artistic merit, appropriateness of medium and style to project goals, experience with similar-scale projects and the public art process, and communication skills. Diversity of artists and media is encouraged; artists with no prior public art experience will be seriously considered. Submit six digital images of past work (each identified with title, materials, dimensions, and value), a current 1-2 page resume, an artist statement describing interest in the project and addressing any experience deficiencies, and answers to required questions about location, medium, or commission level. Up to 2 applications are allowed per artist. Contact the Curator of Public Art at (907) 343-6473 or [email protected] for additional information.