Municipality of Anchorage 1% for Art: Fire Station 9 Huffman Station Rebuild

The Municipality of Anchorage is announcing a call for qualified artists for Fire Station 9 in Anchorage, Alaska, under Municipal Code 7.40. This is a national call with Alaska preference. The project involves two site-specific artworks with a total budget of $44,000. Project construction began in June 2015 and will be completed by Summer 2016. Selected artists will be invited to submit full proposals in February 2016, with artwork installation occurring by June 2016.

Location 1: Functional Table in Kitchen Area ($20,000) - The jury seeks a functional and highly durable table 12' long by 4' wide to seat 10-20 individuals for meals, training, and community outreach. Location 2: Glass Artwork on Exterior Door ($24,000) - The jury is interested in glass submissions for windows framing the entry door, including stained glass, etching, or colored glass treatments. The glass panels measure 9'6" x 5'10.75" total height with 8 panels on each door. The exterior door has been prioritized for public visibility, though the interior vestibule door may be included within the artist's budget.

Fire Station 9 is a specialty team in high angle rope rescue with values of integrity, honesty, courage to act, duty to serve, and vigilance. The jury is primarily interested in artwork reflecting the Alaska landscape and environment, with potential themes including Alaska Back Country, High Angle Rope Rescue, Turnagain Arm, Mountainous Terrain, Water, Mountainous Urban Area, Cook Inlet, Knik Arm, Anchorage Landscape, and Wilderness. The station is located at 13915 Lake Otis Parkway in South Anchorage.

Artwork must be durable with minimal maintenance requirements and designed to last the life of the building. The installation must be permanent and meet IBC 2009 building code standards as amended by the Municipality of Anchorage. All suspended pieces must be at least 18" lower than the sprinkler system. The commission includes all costs of design, site preparation, fabrication, installation, photographic documentation, catalog documentation, and an identifying plaque. State laws related to public construction, including licensing, insurance, bonding, and prevailing wage rates, may apply.

Artists will be selected based on artistic merit, appropriateness of medium and style, experience with similar projects, communication skills, and diversity of artists and media. Artists with no prior public art experience will be seriously considered. Applicants must submit six digital images of past work, a 1-2 page resume with three professional references, an artist statement addressing interest and qualifications, and answers to required questions about location, medium, and commission level. Contact: Curator of Public Art, (907) 343-6473.