Louisiana Percent for Art Program - University Medical Center New Orleans

The Louisiana Percent for Art Program is seeking an artist or artist team to design and implement a site-specific, iconic, large-scale suspended sculpture or installation for the main entry pavilion of the University Medical Center (UMC) in New Orleans. The artwork should serve as a beacon to signify the main entry, a memorable place marker, and be designed for viewing from many vantage points. It should be significant enough to provide a first and lasting impression and serve as a landmark. The artwork may be subject to direct sunlight (UV radiation) and must be unique, permanent, and require very minimal long-term maintenance.

The commission budget is $500,000.00 for all costs associated with the project including research, professional consultations, formal reports from licensed structural and electrical engineers, a conservator, materials, fabrication, transportation, travel, insurance, installation, photography and documentation of the artwork and crediting plaque. The artwork should be ceiling mounted from numerous points to disperse the weight load (maximum 500lbs). Design considerations include the site elements, facility uses, community history and cultural profile, building architecture, durability and UV resistance, and potential for kinetic or mechanically driven elements. Electrical service will be accommodated as needed.

Eligibility is open to qualified professional artists 18 and over with a minimum of ten (10) years of demonstrated professional art experience and examples of previous experience with large-scale suspended sculpture. Artist teams may apply and must designate one artist as the lead contact. Examples of work must be original and recently completed (within the last 10 years). Submissions must include a chronological résumé (up to 5 pages), a one-page letter of interest with artist statement, a list of three professional references with complete contact information, and six digital images of original completed artwork created in the last 10 years. Applications must be submitted electronically through the CAFÉ online system by October 28, 2013 at 10:59 P.M. CT.

An Art Selection Committee will review all eligible submissions and invite a limited number of artists to develop proposals. Finalists will attend a site visit with the Committee and have 60 days to develop a proposal including concept, materials, size, weight, installation requirements, a maquette and rendering of the artwork in-situ, maintenance details, and budget. Each finalist will present their proposal to the Committee and be compensated $2,000 for participation in the proposal stage. The estimated project timeline includes committee meeting in November 2013, finalist notification in November 2013, proposal deadline in February 2014, selected proposal notification in March 2014, and design, fabrication, and installation from May 2014 to April 2015.