Central Oregon Community College Technology Education Center Public Art Commission

Central Oregon Community College is commissioning artwork for the newly constructed Redmond Technology Education Center, a 34,000-square-foot building located on the corner of Veterans Way and Salmon Drive. This request for proposal is open to all artists or artist teams residing in the United States with experience in the design, fabrication, and installation of public artworks. The College is interested in commissioning work(s) of art that are meaningful in the context of its time and resonate with the surrounding community. Kinetic or solar-powered elements are welcome, and the College is open to a variety of mediums and techniques provided that the artwork is durable, vandal and weather resistant for exterior pieces.

Both exterior and interior locations are being considered. Exterior options include: east side landscaped section between building and Veteran's Way road; west side on right entry column (concrete); and west side in front of entry columns in rock landscape. Interior options include: lobby suspended from ceiling (severe weight restrictions apply); east wall opposite elevator (concrete); north wall of lobby (concrete areas only); and east wall opposite reception office (drywall over concrete). The College intends to purchase more than one artwork but not necessarily a work for each location. Artists wishing to submit for multiple locations must submit a separate call for each location proposed.

The College desires artwork that integrates well into the architecture and function of the building, creates a strong presence and engages viewers, generates excitement through form, color and light, connects to the College's mission and themes, and interprets or reflects the surrounding community and region. A budget of $96,000 is available for all related expenses including artist fees, fabrication, insurance, shipping, travel, installation, and documentation. The College intends to purchase one exterior piece and a minimum of one interior piece. Selection criteria include artistic excellence, demonstration of visionary work reflecting current and possible future technologies, evidence of working in public art, knowledge of Central Oregon Community College and Central Oregon, suitability for proposed site, durability, maintenance and safety, and assessed ability to design, fabricate, and install artwork within the project timeline and budget. Three finalists will be selected and invited to present proposals and prototypes for an interview.