RACC Blog

RFQ – Mt Scott Community Center

Written by

Rendering of the interior main lobby, including the stairwell wall, lobby seating area and reception desk.

Mt Scott Community Center

Stairwell & Main Lobby Area Artwork – Request for Qualifications

In partnership with City of Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R), the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) invites artists/artist teams living in Oregon and southern Washington to submit qualifications for a site-specific interior artwork in the main lobby at the soon-to-be renovated and expanded Mt Scott Community Center. One artist/artist team will be selected to create a 2-dimensional artwork along the lobby’s multi-story stairwell north-facing wall. There is also opportunity to activate the ceiling areas above the stairwell/main lobby area. The budget available for the commission comes from the City of Portland’s Percent for Art Program and is $80,000. Submissions are due by Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 11:59pm PDT.

Important Dates

March 21, 2024 – RFQ launch

April 24, 2024 – Applications due

April-June 2024 – Panel review and artist selection (including interviews)

July-September 2024 – Design Phase (including community engagement)

October 2024-June 2025 – Fabrication

July 2025 – Artwork complete and installed

Art Opportunity

This project is seeking an artist or artist team to create a site-specific interior artwork in Mt Scott Community Center’s main lobby area. The stairwell’s multi-story wall will be visible to visitors in the main lobby as well as street and pedestrian traffic on SE 72nd Ave due to the large windows on the building’s west elevation. The stairwell wall ascends from the basement through the 1st and 2nd floors. The stairwell wall is one of the first large-scale features visitors encounter upon arriving through the building’s main entrance and is directly across from the lobby seating area and adjacent to the center’s reception desk. Ideally, the artwork will mainly be focused on the 1st and 2nd floors due to the high visibility of those areas. While the stairwell wall primarily suits a 2-dimensional artwork, there is an interest to incorporate texture and/or 3-dimensional elements, created through either illusion or physical components.

Use of mediums such as textiles/fabric arts, ceramics, mosaics, paint, color, wood, metal and more could be considered. We expect the artist(s) to determine the media(s) for their work through conversations with the project team, taking other design considerations for the space into account.

Additionally, it is possible for the artwork to extend beyond the stairwell wall to two locations in the ceiling areas, allowing for a more 3-dimensional component. These two locations are in the main lobby above the west and east entryways and exits, depending on the artist’s vision and budget allocations. The stairwell wall is about 19’W x 28’H and the two 3-dimensional spaces are about 15’W x 15’H.  The artwork should not exceed 100 lbs.

Rendering of the main lobby area highlighting the art opportunities including the stairwell wall and possible 3-D art sites.

Please refer to the pdf attachment showing the locations of the artwork on the proposed floors at the site here.

About the Mt Scott Community Center Renovation Project

Located in the Foster-Powell and Mt Scott-Arleta neighborhoods, the community center is at the corner of SE 72nd Ave and SE Harold St near the bustling SE Foster Rd and SE 82nd Ave thoroughfares. The center was originally constructed in 1927 as a wood-frame bathhouse for the pre-existing outdoor pool. Over the ensuing years, a concrete building with a gymnasium and lower-level roller-skating rink were built. In 2000, an indoor aquatic center was added to the facility and the outdoor pool was filled and turned into a parking lot. Due to the unreinforced masonry aspects of the building additions built prior to the 1960s, the center is currently undergoing renovations that includes imperative seismic retrofitting as well as bringing more light to the interior spaces, improving ADA accessibility that includes an elevator to all 2nd floor amenities and classrooms, and expanding recreational programming consisting of adding classrooms, meeting spaces and a huge, new event hall. The center is expected to be reopened in summer 2025.

As the only community center that serves the entire Southeast area west of 82nd Ave, the location’s offerings include exercise and fitness classes, pre-school programs, day camps, art and music classes, teen activities, private parties, community gatherings, and rental/party spaces.

Rendering of the west-facing exterior elevation along SE 72nd Ave that includes the building’s main entrance.

Artwork Goals and Qualities

Elements the artwork should consider are the building’s design which is informed by nature through the use of wood and earth tones in the interior and the addition of more windows to allow natural light into the center. It’s also important to note that the main lobby is the central point of connection within the building with its inclusion of the lobby waiting area and reception desk. Consequently, the artwork should be bright, warm and inviting. Additionally, the opportunity for the artwork to help foster inter-generational and cross-cultural connections at this site is great.

Another main goal for the artwork is to acknowledge and celebrate the diversity and richness of cultures that utilize the building. Many of the communities living in the area surrounding the center are BIPOC, households with children, and people living in poverty/low-income. To appeal to these diverse groups of users in this significant location, the artwork should be meaningful and dynamic, possessing the following qualities:

  • align with center’s programming and be relevant to center’s users
  • create art that connects to contemporary and/or traditional art-making practices
  • welcome and entice all folks to utilize the space and its services
  • reflect and compliment the natural and organic elements of the site’s design
  • stimulate and engage the senses

Examples of communities that frequent the center, live in the nearby neighborhoods and attend the local schools include Black/African American, Indigenous Peoples, Somali and other East African immigrants, Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin speakers), Vietnamese, Slavic and Eastern European, Latino/a/e (not just Spanish language speakers), youth and elders, LGBTQIA2S+, people living with disabilities, and people experiencing housing insecurity. More information from the community engagement process so far, including demographics, will be shared with the artist/artist team to ensure authentic understanding and representation.

Community Engagement

Community engagement is a central component of this project. We are seeking an artist/artist team who welcomes and reflects the diverse communities that are served by the center within their process and work. Genuine understanding and demonstration of community engagement practices in existing artistic practice, past work and/or other key areas of experience where skillsets may be transferable, such as teaching, mentorship, community organizing, care work and other non-typical/non-traditional examples of embedding community into process and practice, are highly desirable.

Prior to finalizing a design, the selected artist/artist team will plan and facilitate at least two engagement sessions to meet with community stakeholders to gather information and insight into the community center’s role in their lives, the community’s cultures, hopes, and desires. The artist(s) is expected to welcome and encourage community participation within the design phase, seeking feedback, input and inspiration from key stakeholders to ensure the final artwork meets the intended goals as outlined above, specifically community representation.

Budget

The selected artist/artist team will receive $80,000 for this opportunity to create the site-specific interior artwork. This fee is inclusive of all project expenses including artist fees, design development, materials, fabrication, installation, community engagement scope of work and communication/coordination with the design team, construction team and third-party contractors who may help to fabricate and install the artwork.

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to artists/artist teams based in Oregon and southwest Washington. If applying as a team, at least one member must meet the residence eligibility requirement. Those with significant current or past connections, or those with interest and ability to create meaningful connections, to Southeast Portland, the Foster-Powell and Mt Scott-Arleta neighborhoods and other surrounding neighborhoods and communities served by the center are preferred. Applicants who have an interest in and/or experience with community engagement processes, including social practice, which inform their approach and art practice are strongly encouraged to apply. Strong consideration will be given to artists who have experience working with youth and residents from historically underrepresented communities to develop their artwork including communities of color as well as immigrant and refugee communities.

PP&R and RACC are committed to reflecting the cultural richness of our city by promoting opportunities for emerging and historically underrepresented artists. Artists/artist teams representing communities of color are strongly encouraged to apply. RACC is committed to engaging new communities of artists and expanding the range of artistic and cultural expression represented in the City’s public art collection.

The selected artist/artist team must be able to create, complete and deliver their artwork by June-July 2025.

Selection Process

At this time, the selection process will be entirely virtual. A selection panel composed of City of Portland representatives, project team members, local artists, and community members will review artists’ submissions and choose more than one finalist to invite to  interview for the commission.

Overall, the purpose of the interview will be to allow the artist(s) and the panel to meet each other and engage in a mutually beneficial and informative conversation. It’s an opportunity for the artist(s) to better understand the context of the project and the intentions the selection panel has for the final art piece. Both parties will be given the chance to ask questions and determine best alignment and artist selection for the project. After the interviews are completed, the selection panel will choose a final artist/artist team to award the public art opportunity to. Criteria for selecting semifinalists for interviews are (1) quality of past work as demonstrated in submitted images; (2) ability  and interest in creating site-specific artwork; (3) how past artwork has fit one or more of the general goals described above, specifically community engagement and designing with stakeholder communities, through demonstrated processes and/or final design.

(Note: the selection panel reserves the right to select an artist who does not directly apply to this call, if appropriate. Likewise, the panel maintains the option to make no selection from submitted applications and to reopen the selection process or propose other methods of selection if no applicant is accepted.)

How to Apply

All application materials must be submitted through the RACC Opportunity Portal, an online application system. Applicants will need to create an account, or log into their existing account at https://racc.org/apply. (If you are first-time user, learn how to create an account here). If you are applying as a team, please assign one person to apply and be the point of contact on behalf of the team. Submissions due Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 11:59pm PDT

Application Materials

  • Artist bio/resume. Upload a PDF of no more than two pages that outlines your creative activities and artistic accomplishments. If applying as a team, submit one PDF that includes a bio/resume for all team members no more than 6 pages.
  • Statement of interest. Based on the information given, please address the following:
    • Your interest in this project
    • Describe your capacity and/or experience to complete the scope of work
    • Explain why you value community engagement in your artistic process and share past examples of successfully incorporating community visions, values and voices into a project
    • If you are applying as a team, describe your individual roles on the team and how you anticipate working together
    • There are two options in submitting these responses:
      • Written Statement: 3000 characters or less
      • Oral Statement: Upload a video/voice recording no longer than 2 minutes
  • Up to 8 past work samples. These work samples are the primary way the quality of your work will be judged. Provide up to two images, no larger than 5MB each, for each work sample. For each image, please provide title, artist name, media, dimensions, year completed, budget and location. Conceptual information is desirable but not required.

Once you have started your application, you can save after each step and sign out. Your application will be saved as a draft that you can continue to work on, as needed. Please note that after you click “Submit,” your application is final and no further edits can be made.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us throughout the process.

Questions

We are here to support and assist you! If you have questions about the overall opportunity or the RACC application portal,  would like to set up a time for a phone/video call or have any other needs for assistance please email project manager, Salvador Mayoral IV, at smayoral@racc.org.

If you would like to be considered for this opportunity and don’t have a computer or online access, please feel free to contact RACC for support. Also, if you prefer these materials in another language you can contact the RACC project team for translation services.

We strongly encourage you to submit your application with enough time for any questions to be answered prior to when submissions are due as inquiries received towards the end of that period may not be responded to. We appreciate your understanding and consideration of our capacity.

Interpretation services are available, please email info@racc.org.

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Request for Qualifications – Art in Public Places Opportunity

Written by

Department of Administrative Services, Executive Building, Salem, OR

The Oregon Arts Commission is accepting qualifications from artists or artist teams for Percent for Art in Public Places opportunities at the Department of Administrative Service (DAS) Executive Building. The Executive Building is undergoing a full renovation, while maintaining
and restoring historic elements of the building and the recently remodeled lobby. The building is scheduled to reopen in Spring of 2024, but artwork will be expected to be installed by Spring, 2025.

Submission Deadline: 5 p.m. Pacific Time on Monday, March 25, 2024.

Eligibility: Open to artists who reside in Oregon, California, Washington, Alaska, Idaho and Montana. Artists from traditionally or currently underserved communities including (but not limited to) rural communities and communities of color are especially encouraged to apply.

Budget: The anticipated art budget for the project is $270,000 total, which will be allocated to two commissions: an interior and an exterior commission. The budget for the interior commission is $90,000; for the exterior, it is $180,000. Budgets include artist fees, travel expenses, materials, engineering, permitting, fabrication, insurance, shipping, installation, documentation and any other project costs.

About the Department of Administrative Services and the Executive Building Project

The Department of Administrative Services is the central administrative agency of Oregon state government. DAS’s mission is to “support state government to serve the people of Oregon.” DAS works to effectively implement the policy and financial decisions made by the Governor and the Oregon State Legislature. DAS also sets and monitors high standards of accountability to ensure state government uses tax dollars effectively. To fulfill its mission, DAS supports state agencies by providing a strong and stable management infrastructure. As part of this effort, DAS works with private enterprise, citizens and other government entities to develop an efficient service delivery system.

The Executive Building was built in 1936 to serve as a post office. In 1978 it was expanded, resulting in a 63,000 square-foot, five-level building with a two-level parking garage. The building is now home to the State of Oregon’s Chief Operating Office (COO), Chief Human Resource Office (CHRO), Chief Financial Office (CFO), Enterprise Information Services (EIS), and the Office of Cultural Change. The renovated building will be a haven for employees, with a pleasant and inclusive environment, and also be welcoming to the general public by providing for unique possibilities to build community and connection for groups within Salem, and those who may be visiting the area to collaborate with state government.

Potential Themes, Values and Goals for Artwork

  • Confluence – coming together while retaining autonomy.
  • Indigenous present and future, a connection to deep history of place (geologic time).
  • Inclusivity, equity, justice, accessibility to democracy, creating connections across communities.
  • Thought provoking, inspires curiosity and openminded inquiry, creates pathways for reflection and learning.
  • Future-oriented possibilities, less memorializing and more world-building.
  • Reflects upon Oregon’s natural environment.

Art Locations

There are two art zones for the Executive Building. Images of the potential art locations are in the final pages of this document.

  1. Interior – Level 1, east entrance vestibule: ceiling-suspended 3D art or wall attached 2D art; 2D art for the north conference room wall.
  2. Exterior – South and west landscape, various locations.

Selection Process

A selection committee for this project includes DAS representatives, building users, arts professionals and the project design team, and is facilitated by an Oregon Arts Commission project manager. The committee will review submitted qualifications and select up to three finalists per zone for an interview selection process.

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, including mastery of skills and techniques, communication of a unique artistic perspective, and/or consistent application of professional practices, conceptual framework or use of materials;
  • demonstrated ability of the artist to successfully complete artwork with a project timeline, limited budget and input from community stakeholders.

Shortlisted finalists will receive an artist fee to attend an interview with the committee. During the interview, artists will discuss their past work, art process and project approach. No specific proposals will be expected or accepted at the interview. The interview fee rates are .25% of artist commission: artists shortlisted to be interviewed for the DAS Executive Building interior commission will receive $250, and those shortlisted to be interviewed for the exterior commission will receive $450. Commissioned artists will attend a site visit and project orientation before creating concept proposals.

Estimated Schedule
March 25, 2024, 5 p.m. PT – RFQ deadline
Early April, 2024 – Finalists notified
April/May, 2024 – Finalist interviews
May/June, 2024 – Artist selection and contracting
June/July, 2024 – Artist site visit and project orientation
August/September, 2024 – Concept proposal presentations
October/November, 2024 – Design development reviews
November, 2024 – April, 2025 – Fabrication
May, 2025 – Artwork installed and complete

How to Submit Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity, please submit all required materials by 5 p.m. PT on Monday, March 25, 2024. To submit materials, click on the following link: https://www.dropbox.com/request/vdwlHcUDVPjEF52IShKd. Then click “Add Files” and choose “Files from Computer” or drag and drop your files into Dropbox. Please use naming convention requested below so all of your files will stay 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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. Include complete contact information: street address, phone number, email.
  3. 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.
  4. 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 project 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.

Context Information and Art Location Plans and Images

RFQ_DAS_ExecutiveBuilding_2024

Request for Qualifications – Art in Public Places Opportunity

Written by

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.

  1. Interior: Entrance lobby area options include 2D wall-attached art and/or ceiling suspended 3D art.
  2. 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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

RFQ_OSU_Withycombe_2024

Request for Qualifications – Art in Public Places Opportunity

Written by

University of Oregon, Heritage Project, Eugene, OR

The Oregon Arts Commission is accepting qualifications from artists or artist teams for Percent for Art in Public Places opportunities at the University of Oregon’s Heritage Project, in Eugene, Oregon. The Heritage Project includes the full renovation and restoration of both historic University Hall and Villard Hall, to create sustainable, innovative and flexible spaces that support general studies and the Departments of Mathematics, Theatre Arts and Cinema Studies. University and Villard Halls are the two founding buildings of the University of Oregon. Together, along with the surrounding grounds, the buildings are designated a National Historic Landmark site.

Submission Deadline: 5 p.m. Pacific Time on Monday, March 18, 2024

Eligibility: Open to all professional artists and artist teams residing in the United States. Artists from the Pacific Northwest and those who are 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 $486,000, which will be allocated to three commissions at three different locations. The budget for an exterior commission will be $300,000; for the interior of Villard Hall, $116,000; and for the interior of University Hall, $70,000. These budgets include artist fees, materials, fabrication, insurance, shipping, travel, installation, documentation and any other project costs.

About the University and Heritage Project Buildings

The University of Oregon is located on Kalapuya Ilihi (Cal-uh-POO-yuh ILLihee), the traditional indigenous homeland of the Kalapuya people. Following treaties between 1851 and 1855, Kalapuya people were dispossessed of their indigenous homeland by the United States government and forcibly removed to the Coast Reservation in Western Oregon.

Today, descendants are citizens of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde (rond) Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz (suhLETZ) Indians of Oregon, and continue to make important contributions in their communities, at UO, across the land we now refer to as Oregon, and around the world.

The University of Oregon was physically established in 1876 with the completion of its first building – University Hall (formerly known as Deady Hall). University Hall was originally built as a multi-purpose classroom building including a 600-occupant assembly hall on the third floor. It retains its iconic presence on the campus and is functionally vital as much needed classroom and Department of Mathematics office and instruction space. The building has been renovated multiple times, including the 1914 addition of two mezzanine floors between existing floors and the 1952 alteration of those mezzanines and complete interior remodel. University Hall is a National Historic Landmark structure and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places under Criteria A and C.

Construction of Villard Hall soon followed with completion in 1886, adding to the presence of the University with now two prominent, iconic buildings. Villard Hall was originally built as offices for administration and staff, classrooms and a large thousand occupant auditorium. Following renovation, Villard Hall will house the departments of Cinema Studies and Theatre Arts. It has also undergone multiple renovations and no longer has much of the original interior character. Of particular note was a 1949 complete interior remodel that included adding a third floor to Villard Hall and the addition of Robinson Theater, butting against and obscuring the building’s west side. Villard Hall is also a National Historic Landmark structure and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places also under Criteria A and C.

Themes, Goals and Values for the Art

The Heritage Project considers layers of time and that which is valued through cycles of change over many generations. It embodies a circle of life, decay, and renewal; integrating
historic and contemporary to inspire a thoughtful convergence of tradition and innovation. The art selection committee has identified potential themes, goals and values for artists to
consider. They are:

  • sense of place, both on campus and within the larger global context;
  • creative process and development, embrace of experimentation;
  • inclusive of the academic community of UO and diverse communities;
  • move forward into the future, while being thoughtful about the deep history of place. (These buildings will be both the oldest and newest buildings on the University of Oregon campus);

Art Locations

There are 3 art zones for the University of Oregon Heritage Project, suggested by the art selection committee. (Images of the art locations are in the final pages of this document)

  1. Exterior: The pedestrian-oriented plaza, pathways and surrounding landscape between University and Villard halls. ($300,000 budget)
  2. Interior Villard Hall: Level 1 Hearth and adjacent long hallway wall, and Level 2 Hearth west and east walls. Other locations may be suggested by artists who are shortlisted to create proposals. ($116,000 budget)
  3. Interior University Hall: Hallways transoms on Levels 1 and 2, as well as the east and west Hearths. Other locations may be suggested by artists who are shortlisted to create proposals. ($70,000 budget)

Selection Process

The selection committee for this project includes university faculty and administrators, arts professionals and the project design team, and is facilitated by Oregon Arts Commission project managers. The committee will review submitted qualifications and select up to three finalists to create concept proposals for each art zone.

The following criteria will be used to select finalists, based on the submitted materials:

  1. Appropriateness of scale, material (including long-term durability), and style of past work as they relate to the project values/goals and site.
  2. Artistic and technical quality of past work, including mastery of skills and techniques, communication of a unique artistic perspective, and/or consistent application of
    professional practices, conceptual framework or use of materials.
  3. Demonstrated ability of the artist to successfully complete artwork with a project timeline, limited budget and input from community stakeholders.

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 for the exterior zone will receive a $2,900 fee; for Villard Hall, $1,160, and for University Hall, $700. 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, visual representations of proposed work, estimated budget (including estimates for engineering and permitting) and
timeline. Finalist proposals presentations will take place online with the selection committee

Anticipated Schedule
March 18, 2024 – Submission of qualifications deadline
Early April, 2024 – Finalists notified
April/May, 2024 – Finalist site visit
Mid-June, 2024 – Concept proposal presentations/artist selections
June/July, 2024 – Contracts awarded to selected artists
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 18, 2024. To submit materials, click on the following link:

https://www.dropbox.com/request/NLuP4djAGtwHtZqobnGC

Then click on “Add Files” and choose “Files from Computer” or drag and drop your files into Dropbox. Please use naming convention requested below so all your files will stay 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

  1. Letter of interest. As a PDF file named with “artist’s last name, first initial, letter” (garciamletter.pdf); 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 all three.
    • 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.
  2. Resume. PDF format; name file with “artist’s last name, first initial, resume” (garciamresume.pdf); limit 2 pages. For artist teams, include resumes of each team member. Include complete contact information: street address, phone number, email.
  3. Up to 10 Images of Past Work. JPG or PNG format; name files with: “artist’s last name, first initial, 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.
  4. Image List. PDF format; name file with “artist’s last name, first initial, list” (garciamlist.pdf); limit 1 page. Provide a description for each image including:
    • Image file name and number, (garciam01).
    • 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.com, 503-928-3565.

The information in this RFQ is available in alternate formats upon request. For more information or assistance with the application process, 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.

Context Information and Art Location Plans and Images

Pages 6-18 of the attached:

RFQ_UO_Heritage_2024