UF ASB 653 DCP Collaboratory Public Art Commission

The Art in State Buildings Program at the University of Florida will commission an artist or artist team to create an exterior, site-specific work of art for the UF College of Design, Construction and Planning's Bruno E. and Maritza F. Ramos Collaboratory in Gainesville, FL. The site for art is exterior and all appropriate media will be considered. The total budget for this project is $100,000, with the final art budget between $98,000-$99,500. This budget covers finalists' interview presentations, committee interactions, research, creation, and installation of the finalized work. Finalists will receive an honorarium for their interview presentation and will not be asked to make a site visit before the interview. The total amount of each honorarium will be determined based on the number of finalists (up to 4).

The site for art is the North Lawn, which narrows towards the north and consists of a raingarden along the new building to the west side and traditional lawn along the east side. The raingarden area is approximately 7,600 square feet and the traditional lawn area is approximately 7,500 square feet. The committee is interested in exceptional art for the new building, with concepts and function beyond the aesthetic being important considerations. Ideas such as creativity, collaboration, engagement, and learning landscape were discussed. Interactive art such as landscape art, shade creation, seating elements, kinetic art, art as hammocks, and art that incorporates teaching elements such as possibilities in materials, fabrication, technique, or experimental ideas will all be considered.

Applicants must submit a letter of interest describing why their artwork is appropriate for the project and how submitted images relate to project requirements, a current professional résumé with emphasis on public art experience, and 10 to 20 digital images of artworks. The first five images will be seen in the initial blind review. Images should not include the artist name or watermark. Work sample requirements: minimum 10 images, maximum 20 images; video submissions 0-6; total samples 10-20. Eligibility is international. Jury dates are 9/18/23 - 11/17/23.