Request for Qualifications - Northeastern Junior College, French Hall

Northeastern Junior College seeks public art for the renovation of E.S. French Hall, the college's main academic building. The renovation project, slated for completion in December 2015, will update classrooms with technology, add two computer/graphic labs, and enclose the outdoor courtyard into a 2.5-story commons with skylights. The building's two focal areas—the theater and commons space—receive the most foot traffic, with approximately 7,000 non-affiliated visitors using the theater annually.

The Art Selection Committee invites proposals for indoor and outdoor 3D, sculptural, or installation-based artworks. The panel seeks a statement piece that draws people to campus—a must-see location where students want to take photographs. Proposals may include free-standing works or installation-based works attached to walls. The selection panel will consider artistic excellence, technical competence, suitability to site, conceptual compatibility, scale, material, form, content, structural integrity, accessibility, durability, maintenance requirements, and compliance with public safety codes. Exterior artwork must withstand intense sun, snow, wind, and temperature extremes characteristic of the area and be fabricated from highly durable, low-maintenance materials.

All applicants must be legal U.S. residents with skills and experience commensurate with completing a major public art installation. The program is open to all artists regardless of race, color, creed, gender, gender variance, national origin, age, religion, marital status, political opinion or affiliation, or mental or physical handicap. The Art Selection Committee reserves the right to give preference to Colorado residents. The public art budget is $74,700, covering all costs including artist design fee, structural engineering, insurance, materials, fabrication, transportation, installation, and documentation. Semi-finalists will receive an honorarium of $1,000 for in-state artists and $1,500 for out-of-state artists, with travel expenses reimbursed. Applications must include six digital images and/or videos, a resume, a statement of interest (250 words or less), and responses to specified questions. Submit applications through CaFÉ with no application fee. The selection schedule includes panel review in August 2015, semi-finalist notification in August, in-person presentations in October 2015, contract execution in November/December 2015, and installation in Spring/Summer 2016.