George M. Sullivan Power Plant 2A Expansion Project - Public Art Commission

The Municipality of Anchorage is announcing a call for qualified artists to create artwork for the George M. Sullivan Power Plant 2A Expansion Project under the 1% for Art Program/Public Works. This is an international call with a total budget of $250,000, which includes all costs of design, fabrication, installation, photographic documentation, catalog documentation, and an identifying plaque.

The art selection jury intends to commission one art installation to be permanently installed on the front façade of the power plant located in east Anchorage along the Glenn Highway. The most prominent location for placement is the top 20' of the front façade, which measures 232' long. The building façade will be constructed of almond-colored insulated metal panels with vertical ridges. The installed panels can accept collateral loads of 5 to 20 lbs per square foot; any art installation exceeding that load will require engineered drawings and a supplemental plan for structural strength. Sculptures taller than 6' must be engineered and permitted through the MOA system. The artwork should not distract drivers by resembling traffic control devices or by being extremely bright. Project construction began in April 2014 and is scheduled to be completed by summer 2016, with artwork installation likely taking place in summer 2016.

There are no restrictions on style or design, but the artwork must be durable with minimal routine maintenance requirements. The installation must be permanent and designed to last the life of the building. This is an earthquake area and must meet standards in the IBC 2009 building code as amended by the Municipality of Anchorage. Surplus materials (2%) will be required for future maintenance needs, if appropriate. 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 in relation to project goals and setting, experience with similar scale projects including familiarity with the public art process and collaboration with public utilities and design agencies, and communication skills. Diversity of artists and media is a program goal; artists with no prior public art experience will be seriously considered, and artists with strong bodies of work but little public art background are encouraged to apply and will receive equal consideration.

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 your interest or qualifications for the project and addressing any experience or work sample deficiencies, and answers to required questions about medium and commission level. Maximum of 2 applications allowed per artist. Entry deadline: Friday, October 17, 2014 at 10:00 pm. Contact: Curator of Public Art, 1% for Art, (907) 343-6473.