Utah School for the Deaf and Blind Seeks Public Artist

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Utah School for the Deaf and Blind Seeks Public Artist
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Request for Qualifications from artists and/or artist teams interested in creating site specific artwork(s) for the new Utah School for the Deaf and the Blind facility.  The new facility will provide a full-time pre-school, clinical/therapeutic facilities, and administration space as well as a facility to host community events such as junior high performances, high school basketball games, elementary aged life skills programs, and executive board meetings.

ELIGIBILITY
American or legal resident artists / artist teams are encouraged to apply.  Deaf and/or blind artists are encouraged to apply.

BUDGET
$105,000 is available for all related expenses of this commission(s) including (but not limited to) artist fees, fabrication, insurance, shipping, travel, installation, documentation, etc.

COMMITTEE STATEMENT
This new facility has been carefully and deliberately designed to serve the needs of Deaf, Blind and Deaf-Blind students in a variety of activities, ranging from preschool learning to high school fine arts and sports. Directional cues, contrasting materials, light, and colored masses all contribute to create a comfortable and inspiring “sense of place.”  The building will serve the students, their families and staff members, and will also host occasional community events. The art selection committee is searching for artists who will honor and incorporate the mission of the schools in their vision for the project. Proposed works should acknowledge and celebrate these diverse communities and contribute to the beauty and unique themes of life and education for Deaf, Blind and Deaf-Blind children and their families. 

Generally, the art should consider the scale of the building, being especially thoughtful about the spatial experience and the size and needs of the various students. While the selection committee is willing to consider additional placements envisioned by artist proposals, the following anticipated locations and display areas have been identified as the most likely potential sites for public artwork:

  • Two areas under the 2nd floor walkway that are part of the main corridor lobby and are the figurative “gateways” into the areas for blind students into the North wing and deaf students into the South wing.
  • The formal entry at the south of the building and the adjacent plaza / planting area to the west.  The plan is shown with planter boxes to be coordinated with the site plan features currently in construction.
  • Two entrance areas into the exterior courtyard. This courtyard has been carefully designed for the needs of the deaf and blind and any engagement with this space would need to carefully consider these conditions.  
  • The courtyard is bordered on the north, south and west with glass corridors

 The Committee may select one or more artists for this commission.

SELECTION PROCESS AND SCHEDULE
The Selection Committee will review all material properly submitted. Finalists will be selected from the first phase of applicants submitting qualifications. Selection of the commissioned artist(s) will be based on proposals presented to the Selection Committee on July 18, 2016.  Once an artist has been selected as a finalist, we will work to provide as much information and access as possible to assist in the artist’s research while developing their proposal.  An honorarium will be offered to the finalists to assist with the costs associated with the preparation of a proposal and travel. This honorarium will be applied toward the commission amount for the artist(s) awarded the commission.
 
Schedule
April 25, 2016 - Deadline for receipt of preliminary materials
May 12, 2016 - Committee Review
July 18, 2016 - Finalists presentations
August 2016 – Construction substantial completion
Art commisson timeline to be determined in consultation with the artist and Selection Committee.
 

Please review the full RFQ for project details and submission instructions.  This application requires submission through the CaFE system.  A free artists' account will be required in order to submit.  There is no fee to submit for this opportunity.

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