A Call for Illinois Artists: Illinois State University Fine Arts Complex

The Art-in-Architecture Program of the Capital Development Board is pleased to announce a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to Illinois professional artists to create permanent original public art for the Illinois State University (ISU) Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts Complex in Normal, Illinois.

The Committee is seeking an exterior artwork for the courtyard on the northside of the new Commons addition. The Commons links the two major Centers: Visual Arts and Performing Arts. The artwork site sits directly in front of the Student Art Gallery. This site-specific artwork for the Fine Arts Complex is situated within ISU’s Fell Arboretum, a valued asset at ISU.

Artists have approximately 1,045 square feet of space within the Commons courtyard to utilize as they see fit for this exterior artwork. The artwork should draw inspiration from the cultural, historical, and environmental contexts of ISU, the Fine Arts Complex, and the Fell Arboretum. Community engagement is encouraged, though climbing or sitting on the work is not permitted. Offering opportunities for visual interaction, such as photography, is welcomed.

The budget for the artwork is $195,000. This budget covers all expenses associated with the completion and installation of the work including, but not limited to the project design, materials, fabrication, tools, project management, operations, meetings, travel, installation, licenses, insurance, contracted services, delivery of the work to the site, and documentation of the completed project. Any expense that exceeds the contracted amount will be the artist’s responsibility.