University of Rhode Island Fine Arts Center Public Art RFQ

Rhode Island State Council on the Arts is seeking qualifications for a public art commission at the University of Rhode Island College of Arts and Sciences Fine Arts Center in Kingston. This Request for Qualifications is the first step in the public art selection process. The budget for this commission is $360,000. Artwork will be commissioned 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 Fine Arts Center, opened in 1968, is an example of Brutalist architecture that houses the Fine Arts, Music, and Theatre departments. The building serves more than 5,000 students per year and welcomes over 50,000 attendees annually. In 2022, renovation work will begin, with construction scheduled to start in summer 2022 and the project completion targeted for spring 2025. Potential sites for artwork include an exterior lawn area and a corner of the property facing the intersection of Upper College and Bills Roads. Community feedback indicates the artwork should create a welcoming atmosphere, be colorful or vibrant, reflect the University's pride in its students and programs, bring together the three academic departments, and offer placemaking opportunities.

At this preliminary stage, artists should submit six digital images of current work (completed within the past ten years) and a resume via CaFÉ. There is no application fee. Selected finalists will be invited to create a site-specific proposal and will receive a $3,000 honorarium, which includes all travel expenses for the site visit and presentation meeting. The selection panel will evaluate submissions based on artistic vibrancy and relevance, responsiveness to the RFQ, permanence and durability, value, collaborative spirit, and capacity to succeed. Final approval rests with the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts. Application deadline: September 1, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. EST.