Oregon State University (OSU), Withycombe Hall, Corvallis, OR
Oregon Arts Commission is accepting qualifications from artists or artist teams for Percent for Art in Public Places opportunities at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. Renovation of the existing 1950’s Withycombe Hall will update spaces for the College of Agricultural Sciences’ Food Science and Technology and Animal and Rangeland Sciences departments. The building will contain six new laboratories, new classroom and department space, and will have a new dairy pilot plant and wine pilot plant processing areas. The building will also
continue to be the home for an OSU Theatre Department classroom, support space and University Theatre performance venue. The renovation project is estimated to be complete in March, 2025.
Submission Deadline: 5 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday, March 11, 2024.
Eligibility: Artists residing in the United States are eligible to apply. Artists living in the Pacific Northwest and those from traditionally or currently underserved communities including (but not limited to) rural communities and communities of color are especially encouraged to apply.
Budget: The total anticipated art budget for the project is $390,000, which will be shared between two commissions, one exterior and one interior. The exterior commission budget will be $290,000 and the interior will be $100,000. Budgets include artist fees, materials, fabrication, insurance, shipping, travel, installation, documentation and any other project costs.
About Oregon State University and Withycombe Hall
As a land grant institution committed to teaching, research, and outreach and engagement, Oregon State University promotes economic, social, cultural and environmental progress for the people of Oregon, the nation and the world.
Oregon State University in Corvallis is in the traditional homelands of the Marys River or Ampinefu Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855, Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are part of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians. Oregon State University recognizes the impact that its land grant history has had, and continues to have, on Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities in Oregon. Grounded in self-reflection, learning, reconciliation and partnership, the university will through its actions advance the sovereignty, rights and prosperity of Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities in Oregon and nationally.
Oregon State University was founded more than 150 years ago as a land grant institution, building on the idea that everybody deserves an extraordinary education that’s attainable and accessible. Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. OSU is home to students from all fifty states and more than one hundred countries. It is one of three land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S. OSU includes two campuses, eleven colleges, twelve experiment stations, Extension programs in all of Oregon’s thirty-six counties, and has nearly 200 degree programs.
OSU’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, Corvallis offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.
Withycombe Hall opened in 1952 as the home of the animal husbandry and dairy husbandry departments. The building is named after James Withycombe, an early 20th century director of the college’s agricultural experiment station and governor of Oregon from 1915 to 1919.
Withycombe Hall is a contributing resource within the OSU National Historic District. It is home to the Department of Food Science and Technology, the Department of Animal and Rangeland Sciences, and the Theatre Department. The Withycombe Hall Renovation will redesign both the east and west sides of the building for capital improvement and renewal of building systems. The Dairy Processing Facility will be prioritized in the first phase to create a research and learning space for the dairy science program and a public outreach retail space for products produced in the program.
The renovation includes:
- Seismic safety improvements
- Fire and life safety system improvements and renewal
- Accessibility improvements
- Plumbing renewal
- HVAC improvements with efficiency, carbon reduction, laboratory safety and occupant comfort as goals.
- Chilled water cooling will be supplied from the new North District Utility Plant (NDUP), constructed alongside the Cordley Renovation project.
- Electrical service and lighting renewalRoof and rooftop systems renewal
- General interior and exterior finish renewal
- Major and minor interior configuration changes for usefulness and efficiency
Potential Themes, Values and Goals for Artwork
- Strengthens connections between people and place.
- Is inclusive and accessible to public as well as campus community.
- Is inspired by Oregon’s natural landscape.
- Brings attention to the building and this part of campus.
The selection committee recommends that artists review OSU’s strategic plan and mission, and the missions of the College of Agriculture and the departments that will be housed in the building, which can be found on OSU’s website.
Art Locations
The art selection committee has identified two art zones for the Withycombe project. Images of the art locations are in the final pages of this document. Other locations may be suggested by artists who are shortlisted to create proposals after visiting the site.
- Interior: Entrance lobby area options include 2D wall-attached art and/or ceiling suspended 3D art.
- Exterior: Multiple possible locations.
Selection Process
The selection committee for this project includes university staff and administrators as well as arts professionals and the project design team, and it is facilitated by an Oregon Arts
Commission project manager. The committee will review submitted qualifications and select up to three finalists for each zone. The selection committee may also consider artists from the
Oregon Art in Public Places roster.
The following criteria will be used to select finalists, based on the submitted materials:
- Appropriateness of scale, material (including long-term durability), and style of past work as they relate to the project values/goals and site.
- Artistic and technical quality of past work: mastery of skills and techniques, communication of a unique artistic perspective and consistent application of professional practices, conceptual framework or use of materials.
- Demonstrated ability of the artist to successfully complete a project with a set timeline, limited budget and input from community stakeholders.
Finalist Concept Proposal Phase
Finalists selected for each zone will create a concept proposal and will receive a design fee of one percent of the commission budget for that zone. Artists selected to develop proposals for the exterior zone will receive a $2,900 fee; those selected for interior proposals will receive $1,000. Travel expenses to attend a site visit and project orientation will be provided in addition to the design fee. The concept proposal will include a brief narrative, description of materials and durability, visual representations of proposed work, estimated budget (including estimates
for any engineering and permitting) and timeline. Each finalist will present their proposal in an online meeting with the selection committee.
Estimated Schedule
March 11, 2024, 5 p.m. PT – RFQ deadline
Late March, 2024 – Finalists notified
April, 2024 – Finalists site visit
June, 2024 – Concept proposal presentations/artist selections
June/July, 2024 – Contracts awarded to selected artist(s)
September, 2024 – Design Development Reviews
October – March, 2025 – Fabrication
End of March, 2025 – Artwork installed and complete
How to Submit Qualifications
To be considered for this opportunity, please submit all required materials by 5 p.m. PST on Monday, March 11, 2024. To submit materials, click on the following link: https://www.dropbox.com/request/oA2w3VA8cgqWiU2SOkkM
Then select “Add Files” and “Files from Computer” or drag and drop your files into Dropbox. Please use naming convention requested below to ensure your files remain together in the submissions folder.
Artists currently on the Oregon Art in Public Places Artist Roster may use Roster application materials for this opportunity, with the addition of a letter of interest specific to this project. Please email your letter to pegbutlerart@gmail.com and indicate that you’d like your Roster materials to be used.
Application Materials
- Letter of interest. As a PDF file named with artist’s last name and first initial and the word “letter” (garciamletter.pdf). If applying as a team, use your team name and “letter” (teamnameletter). Limit 1 page.
- Describe your interest in this project and how your artwork and art-making process would be a good fit for the opportunity. If you are only interested in being considered for a specific zone, please mention that. Otherwise, you will be considered for both.
- If you are an established artist emerging into public art, in your letter of interest address the reasons why you believe you are qualified for the opportunity, or the steps you would take to ensure successful completion of an architecturally integrated or large-scale artwork commission.
- Resume. As a PDF file named with artist’s last name and first initial and “resume” (garciamresume.pdf). If applying as a team use your team name and “resume” (teamnameresume). Limit 2 pages per person or team member. Please include complete contact information: street address, phone number and email.
- Up to 10 Images of Past Work. JPG or PNG format; name files with artist’s last name, first initial and number that corresponds to the image information on the image list (garciam01.jpg). File size: minimum 1200 pixels on the longest side and 5 MB maximum.
- Image List. PDF format. Name file with artist’s last name, first initial and “list” (garciamlist.pdf). If applying as a team use your team name and “list” (teamnamelist). Two pages max. Provide a description for each image including:
- Image file name and number.
- Key details: title, location, cost/budget, date completed, materials, dimensions, commissioning agency (if applicable), project partners (if applicable).
- Brief description of your vision or conceptual ideas for each artwork.
Assistance
For questions about the project and the application process, contact Peg Butler, public art coordinator managing the project on behalf of Oregon Arts Commission. pegbutlerart@gmail, 503-928-3565.The information in this RFQ is available in alternate formats upon request. For more information about alternative formats, contact Ryan Burghard, Oregon Arts Commission: ryan.burghard@biz.oregon.gov or 971-374-3083.
Oregon’s Percent for Art in Public Places Program
Managed by the Oregon Arts Commission, the Percent for Art in Public Places program places art in state buildings and public universities throughout Oregon. The collection, including more than 2,500 works of art, is searchable via Oregon’s Percent for Art in Public Places Collection
website.
Project Context Images and Potential Art Locations