Municipality of Anchorage 1% for Art: Rabbit Creek Elementary School Renovation 2016

The Municipality of Anchorage is seeking qualified artists to create artwork for Rabbit Creek Elementary School renovation. This is a Request for Qualifications for two art installations totaling $85,000 to be permanently installed at two different exterior locations in the renovated school, located at 13650 Lake Otis Pkwy, Anchorage, AK 99516.

Location 1 (Exterior West Entry): $75,000 budget. The exterior west entry is located in the rear of the school, facing the Seward Highway and highly visible from the road. It is adjacent to the playground and used for daily entry and exit. Proposed interventions could include exterior sculpture on the grounds, use of stairs and railing, or use of the archway around the door. Artwork cannot be applied directly to the façade of the exterior wall. Location 2 (Exterior North Entry): $10,000 budget. The main public entrance to the school, facing north. Proposed interventions could include a bench, sculpture, or wall artwork. The jury is open to all considerations.

Themes discussed by the Art Selection Jury focused on inclusivity, special education, community, and vibrancy, as well as STEAM (science, technology, art, and math). The jury is interested in artwork that reflects a welcoming community and environment and is dynamic. For the exterior rear location, artwork should be visible from the road. The jury would entertain kinetic, static, or wind-driven artwork. All artwork must be durable, require minimal maintenance, and pose no safety hazard. Artwork at the front entry could reflect school spirit and a welcoming community; artwork at the rear could reflect a contemporary approach.

Eligibility is limited to artists living in Alaska only. The total budget of $85,000 includes all costs of design, fabrication, installation, photographic documentation, catalog documentation, and an identifying plaque. Any permitting or engineer fees required for sculptures taller than 6' must be paid by the artist. State laws related to public construction, including licensing, insurance, bonding, and payment of prevailing wage rates, may apply. Project construction began in summer 2016 and will be completed by summer 2016. Installation of artwork will likely take place in fall or spring 2016 and must be coordinated with the project administrator and school.

Artists will be selected based on: artistic merit as evidenced by representation of relevant past work in images; appropriateness of the artist's medium, style, and previous experience in relation to project goals and setting; experience with projects of similar scale and scope including familiarity with the public art process, public review approval process, and/or collaboration with schools and design agencies; and communication skills and ability to work with diverse community members. Artists with no prior public art experience will be seriously considered.

Submission requirements: six digital images of past work (each identified with title, materials, dimensions, and value); current 1-2 page resume including 3 professional references; artist statement describing interest or qualifications for the project and addressing any experience or work sample deficiencies; and answers to required questions about location, medium, and commission level. Contact: Curator of Public Art, Municipality of Anchorage, Department of Public Works, (907) 343-6473.