Rhode Island State Council on the Arts - Attorney General Public Art Commission

The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) is seeking qualified artists for a public art commission at the Office of the Attorney General, 4 Howard Avenue, Cranston, Rhode Island. This commission is funded through Rhode Island's Public Art Law, which mandates that 1% of all state capital construction and renovation funds be allocated to the purchase and maintenance of public art. The total budget is $225,000.

The Office of the Attorney General is a customer service center housing approximately 30 employees that performs an average of 300 state and national background checks per day. The selection panel has identified two potential sites for public art: a cantilevered canopy-space outside the main entrance with electrical conduit for lighting, suitable for durable sculpture; and an interior wall in the main reception area with two 4'9" wide x 8'4" high bamboo panels that could serve as blank canvases. Artists selected as finalists may propose for one site, both sites, or another site. The panel seeks artwork that may reference justice or themes related to the important work of the Attorney General's office.

This is a Request for Qualifications (RFQ), the first step in the selection process. Applicants must submit six digital images of relevant artwork completed within the past ten years and a current resume via CaFÉ. Selected finalists will be asked to develop detailed proposals including scale models, renderings, and an itemized budget, and will receive a $2,500 honorarium (covering all travel expenses for site visits and presentations). The final commissioned work must comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act and be designed for durability and minimal maintenance. The selection panel will assess artistic quality, the artist's ability to carry out the commission, value in relation to fees, permanence and durability of materials, and collaborative spirit. The final recommendation will be presented to the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts for final approval.