Galena Interior Learning Academy STEM Classroom Building Public Art Commission

Galena City School District (GCSD) is seeking individual artists or teams of artists to provide a public artwork installation for the Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) Classroom Building at Galena Interior Learning Academy (GILA) in Galena, Alaska. The 11,800 SF building will provide classroom space for three math classrooms on the first floor, and art/science, chemistry and life science classrooms on the second floor. Three areas of the STEM building have been identified as potential public art sites: the main southwest entry, the tall wall at the stair landing for the west side stair, and the main east-west corridor at the first or second floor. GILA is seeking between one and three individual art pieces that would be permanently located in the building. The art may be an original commission or existing art that meets the requirements. The artwork must be unique, permanent, and require minimal long-term maintenance. The installation will be exposed to direct sunlight and should resist fading of colors or text.

This commission is open to all professional artists who are residents of the State of Alaska. Artists living in interior Alaska, or who have previously lived in that region, and emerging artists are strongly encouraged to apply. The design of the artwork should reflect the nature of STEM subjects being taught and show how these subjects connect to real life experience for students and the local community. Artists are encouraged to look at connections between academic subjects and the daily lives and culture of Alaska Native residents in the Alaskan interior. Artwork that makes connections between STEM principles and the physical form of artifacts or the natural environment will help illustrate the ideas behind the STEM teaching approach.

Submissions must include: resume (not to exceed one page), two references from previous art projects, letter of interest, artist statement, and two to ten images of original completed artwork. All images must be submitted electronically through the Call for Entries (CaFE) system by Friday, March 22, 2019 at 9:59 P.M. Alaska Time. The budget is inclusive of all costs associated with the project, including labor, transportation, installation, travel, permits, insurance during installation, identification plaque, and documentation. The remodel of the STEM building is anticipated to be complete by December 31, 2019, with installation of selected artwork likely occurring in March 2020. A proposal fee not to exceed $1,500 and a travel stipend not to exceed $600 will be paid to the selected artist to offset expenses associated with proposal development.