NJ Public Health & Environmental Laboratory Expansion Project - Public Art Commission

The New Jersey State Council on the Arts is soliciting Expressions of Interest from prospective artists to design, fabricate, and install artwork for an expansion project at the Public Health and Environmental Laboratories (PHEL) in Ewing, New Jersey. This commission is part of the New Jersey Arts Inclusion Program, coordinated by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, New Jersey Building Authority/DPMC, and USA Architects, Planners + Interior Designers, Ltd.

The project entails design, fabrication, and installation of an applied mural in an interior space of approximately 11' x 23'. The mural must be constructed of tile, metal, porcelain, or other durable materials (not painted or vinyl). Themes should tell the story of public health in New Jersey, the work that happens in the lab building and its impact on the people of New Jersey, or themes of public health and science. The design may extend onto glass that is the exterior of the elevator shaft. The project budget is $244,000, all-inclusive for a completed permanent mural, installed. This budget covers all costs including design, revisions, engineering, fabrication, transportation, installation, materials, samples, documentation, plaque/signage, and permitting.

Three selected finalists will each receive a $2,000 stipend for proposal preparation expenses. Applicants must submit a portfolio of past-completed work, profile and contact information, a letter summarizing interest and experience in public artworks, at least 3 references for similar projects, resume, photographs/images of public art installations (minimum 4, maximum 8), optional video examples (up to 2), and artist website link(s). Applicants must be regionally based, residing no more than 150 miles from Ewing, New Jersey, and over 18 years old. Individuals who self-identify as women and/or BIPOC artists are strongly encouraged to apply. Employees of the State of New Jersey are not eligible. Upon selection, the artist must complete a contract with the NJ Department of the Treasury, register in the State's procurement system (NJSTART), and complete all required business registrations. The state does not charge a fee to submit to this call.