Dunkin' Donuts Center Public Art Commission

The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) invites artists to submit proposals for an exterior public art site associated with the $80 million renovation of the Dunkin' Donuts Center in downtown Providence, Rhode Island. This project is in accordance with the Rhode Island 1% Allocation for Art for Public Facilities Act. The Dunkin' Donuts Center is a multi-use venue and home arena for the AHL Providence Bruins hockey team and Providence College men's basketball team. The facility will host the first two rounds of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament in 2010.

One exterior site has been identified for public art installation: the Exterior South Plaza, located at the south corner of the Dunkin' Donuts Center. This urban plaza is an open public space providing pedestrians with a secluded area to sit, rendezvous, visit, and rest. The site has been cleared and provides a raw space for development. A secondary entrance to the Center and a new Dunkin' Donuts retail store will be accessible via this plaza. A total of $420,000 has been designated for the acquisition of exterior public art, covering all costs including artist fees, fabrication, installation, transportation, and necessary engineering studies. Artwork must meet egress capacities and ADA requirements, and the commissioned artist is responsible for ensuring compliance with all current local, state, and federal building codes.

Submissions must be made online through CAFE by September 26, 2008, Midnight MDT. Submissions consist of: current resume(s), a written proposal statement not exceeding 2,000 characters, and six digital images of relevant work completed within the past five years. The selection panel will review applications in early October and choose 1-2 finalists based on quality and suitability of artwork, demonstrated ability to complete the project on schedule and within budget, ability to meet ADA and safety standards, and permanence and durability of the artwork. Finalists will be notified in mid-late October and will receive a $1,500 honorarium for their completed proposals. Finalists will present in person to the art selection panel on December 1, 2008. RISCA will cover all travel, lodging, and per diem expenses for both the preparatory site visit and final presentation.