The Oregon Arts Commission is accepting submissions of existing artworks for potential purchase and installation at Oregon State University – Cascades. The Student Success Center is a two-story, 17,500-square-foot building that houses academic and career advising, health and wellness counseling, student government, tutoring, study, and gathering spaces. The building opened in January 2025.
Submission Deadline: 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on Sunday, May 10, 2026.
Eligibility: Professional artists and artist teams in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington are eligible to apply. Artists from traditionally or currently underserved communities, including (but not limited to) rural communities and communities of color, are especially encouraged to apply. Emerging artists or established studio artists emerging into the public art realm are encouraged to apply.
Budget: The total anticipated art budget for the project is approximately $25,000 to purchase artwork, which includes transportation and installation costs. Multiple artworks by a single artist may be acquired.
About Oregon State University-Cascades: Oregon State University-Cascades (OSU-C) opened in 2016 in Bend. The young, 128-acre campus is located on a former pumice mine and demolition landfill. Six (6) buildings have further transformed the landscape. Additional campus development is underway for its growing student population. The OSU-C campus has fulfilled a 30-year quest for a four-year university in central Oregon, embracing its connection to the community, unique landscape, and commitment to interdisciplinary and innovative learning.
About the Student Success Center: The Student Success Center is a student-centered space designed to foster support, connection, and achievement all in one location.
The ground floor offers a comfortable gathering space for students to relax and spend time with friends. It includes a lounge area, coffee bar, commuter kitchen, food pantry, offices
and flexible meeting space for student government, student life and campus clubs. Meanwhile, the upper level showcases a spacious learning commons, smaller enclosed study rooms, and offices for academic and career advising, health and wellness counseling, prayer and meditation room, international programs, and The Bridge (OSU-C’s new multicultural space).
This two-story, 17,500-square-foot building embraces the
concept of Hygge, which is Danish and Norwegian for a mood of coziness and comfortable conviviality. Hygge emphasizes wellness, contentment, slowness, and the enjoyment of being present. The interior colors and textures embrace Bend’s surrounding landscape.
Themes, Goals and Characteristics for the Art
The art selection committee has identified themes, goals and desired characteristics for the Student Success Center project. The selection committee seeks artwork that:
- Connects to themes of adaptation, resilience, repair, and renewal;
- Contributes to a welcoming and comfortable environment that encourages community and connection; and
- Cultivates a strong sense of place connected to the central Oregon region.
Art Locations
There are five (5) total available locations for artwork for the Student Success Center project; applicants can choose which art zone they prefer. Please contact the project coordinator, Renee Couture, for images of the art locations.
- Art Zone 1: Lounge Commons West. This art zone is located on the ground floor near the building’s entrance. This wall is approximately 10’6” x 9’, and is suitable for framed two-dimensional artwork or low-relief artwork.
- Art Zone 2: Study Commons. This art zone has two (2) walls located in the upper level learning commons. The available wall space for art is approximately 5′ 11” tall x 5′ 7” wide and 5’11” tall x 10 6” wide. These walls are suitable for two-dimensional artworks or low-relief artworks.
- Art Zone 3: A&CA Center Entrance. This art zone is located on the building’s upper level at the Academic & Center Advising Center entry point. The wall is approximately 6’9” wide x 12’6” tall and is suitable for two-dimensional artwork.
- Art Zone 4: West Stairwell. This art zone is located in an open transitional space between the building’s ground floor and the upper floor. The wall is approximately 13’ wide x 13’6” tall, and is suitable for two-dimensional artwork or low-relief artwork.
Selection Process
A selection committee for this project includes OSU-C employees and administrators, arts professionals, and the project design team, and is facilitated by an Oregon Arts Commission project coordinator. The committee will review and select artworks for purchase. The following criteria will be used to select finalists, based on the submitted materials:
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- How the artwork connects with the themes, goals, and characteristics identified for this project.
- Appropriateness of scale, material (including long-term durability and low maintenance), and style of submitted work as they relate to the building and activities within the building.
- Artistic and technical quality of submitted 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.
Anticipated Schedule
11:59 p.m. May 10, 2026 Submission deadline End of May 2026 Artwork selection
July 2026 Artwork arrival at OSU-C
July 2026 Artwork Installed
How to Submit Qualifications
To be considered for this opportunity, submit all required materials by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on Sunday, May 10, 2026. Send the materials described below via a file share program of your choice to coutureartcoordinator@gmail.com.
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: coutureartcoordinator@gmai.com and indicate that you’d like your Roster materials to be used.
Application Materials
- Images of Available Artwork. Each artist may submit up to five (5) artworks for consideration and may provide up to two (2) images of each artwork (maximum 10 images). JPG or PNG format; name files with: “artist’s last name, first initial_number” (garciam_01.jpg). File size: minimum 1200 pixels on the longest side and 5 MB maximum.
- Image Identification List. PDF or DOC format; name file with “artist’s last name, first initial_ list” (garciam_list.pdf); limit 2 pages. List artworks by image number and include:
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- Key details: title, date completed, materials, dimensions;
- Price of the artwork and whether the price includes a frame;
- Please list any art zone preference for your artwork;
- Optional: Additional information or narrative about the artwork.
- Artist Statement. Please describe what your artwork is and why you make it. The statement should provide context to help the selection committee understand what your work is about. This can include but is not limited to: where you are from, where you live, if your identity relates to your artwork, the medium you work in, techniques or methods that you use to create your artwork, and/or your motivations or inspiration. PDF or DOC format; name file with “artist’s last name, first initial_bio” (garciam_bio.pdf);
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- Limit 1 page.
- Include complete contact information: street address, phone number, email, website.
Assistance
For questions about the project and the application process, contact Oregon Arts Commission Project Coordinator Renee Couture, coutureartcoordinator@gmail.com or (541)-580-9666.
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.
More Info
https://www.oregon.gov/biz/aboutus/artscommission/Documents/RFA_OSUC_SSC_2026.pdf
Salary
NA
Location
Bend, OR
Opportunity Region
Local
Commitment
Non-Applicable
Contact Email
coutureartcoordinator@gmail.com