Rutgers University Newark Life Sciences Center II Public Art Commission

Rutgers University – Newark and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts are soliciting proposals from adult visual artists for a public art commission at the Life Sciences Center II project. This is an exciting opportunity accepting proposals from artists who live or maintain a permanent art studio in Newark, NJ; are current residents of the State of New Jersey; and have experience with contracted projects of a similar budget and scope. Preference will be given to artists with a strong connection to Newark.

The selected artist will design, fabricate, and install artwork for the West entry exterior plaza egress stair cast-in-place concrete wall of the Life Sciences Center II addition at 225 University Avenue in Newark, NJ. The Art Selection Committee envisions a mural or other surface enhancement that draws upon thematic material related to the sciences housed in the facility. Materials must be durable, low maintenance, resistant to vandalism, and coordinate well with the material palette of the building and exterior plaza. The project budget is $13,500, which covers all costs including design, fabrication, materials, transportation, and installation.

Eligibility: Artists/artist teams must be at least 18 years old and legally able to enter a contract with Rutgers University. Artists must have verifiable experience undertaking a contract for public art with a budget of at least $10,000. All team members must live or maintain a permanent art studio in Newark, NJ and be current residents of New Jersey. Submissions must include a letter of interest, resume, 4-6 photographs of previous public art installations, website links, and at least 3 references (noting which can verify previous contract work of at least $10,000). Three finalists will be selected and each will receive a stipend not to exceed $500 to cover costs associated with preparing a project-specific presentation. Finalists will present to the Life Sciences Center II Inclusion Committee either in person or via conference call/web presentation.