Budget: $77,000
Activated: 05/18/2022
Deadline: 07/18/2022

Call Summary
The Art in Architecture (AIA) Program of the University of Illinois, Facilities & Services is pleased to announce a Request for Artwork (RFA). Professional artists are invited to submit images of available work to be considered for the permanent original public art at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). Artists’ work may also be considered for custom or commissioned work.
This call seeks artwork for the Freer Hall – Pool Infill Renovation in Urbana, Illinois. The renovation is now complete.

Budget Description
The budget to cover four artwork pieces shall not exceed $77,000. This budget covers all expenses associated with, but not limited to the design, labor, fabrication, project management, materials, tools, contracted services, operations and meetings, travel required to complete the artwork installation, installation, insurance, transportation and delivery of the artwork to the site.

If special installation requirements are needed for large and/or complex pieces, the artist is responsible for working with the University of Illinois Facilities & Services Art in Architecture Program and other relevant partners to coordinate all aspects of the installation. Facilities & Services will provide reinforced structural attachment points for the artwork to connect to if needed.

Project Description
The mission of the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health is to advance and disseminate knowledge related to health, rehabilitation, and human movement using an interdisciplinary approach. Through the integration of high-quality research, instruction, and outreach programs, faculty scholars within the department are leading initiatives that address pressing concerns of our diverse society such as prevention and management of chronic disease as well as maintenance of health and well-being across the lifespan. Our vision is to serve as a global leader in the discovery of dissemination of knowledge and evidence-based practices that can positively impact health in our diverse society.

Artwork Goals
The objective of the art is to advance what goes on within the department and make the space better for students who spend time in the facility. While not required, the artwork could speak to one or more of the following ideas: Human movement, Health, Wellness, Strength, Rehabilitation, community health. Artwork in the gym area should provide inspiration. Colorful scenic imagery is encouraged.

Medium:
Paintings, Prints, tapestries, stained glass, metalwork etc.

Artwork Location Description
The committee has selected four different walls that are suitable for artwork in hopes to complement both the building and its use. Choice of media for the project is broad but should be in material suitable for the interior environment. The committee has opted to select up to two artists for the four locations.

Site History
Freer Hall was built in 1930. A major north addition was added in 1968. The recent Freer Hall renovation occurred in the north addition area (approximately 19,780 square feet) to provide state of the art research laboratories, faculty and graduate student offices, seminar rooms, and support spaces for the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health and College of Applied Health Sciences. Included in this renovation project was the infill of the existing swimming pool and build out of new research, teaching, and office space within the existing swimming pool area.

Eligibility
This RFA is open to all professional artists, artisans or artist-led teams currently residing and legally permitted to work in the United States.
Faculty, instructors and staff of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as well as degree-seeking fine art students are ineligible to apply.

Application Requirements
Resume: 3 page(s) maximum
Work examples: 10 – 15
Letter of Interest : 300 word maximum
Artist Statement of intent (one page maximum)
References: 3

Artists are allowed to apply in teams.
Artists applying as a team must split the allotted number of work examples between themselves.

Selection Process
Artist and/or artist teams may submit their work for consideration as defined below. The artist’s work that is selected will be announced through email with details of the purchase process.

The Art in Architecture committee shall select artwork from the artists submitting examples of executed work available for purchase.

The Art in Architecture committee may also elect to select an artist and commission artwork to be produced from the artist submitting letters of interest and from examples of their executed works. Following that selection, the artist will submit a proposal to the committee to develop and execute the commission or a proposal for a previously executed piece.

Do not send a proposal unless you have been contacted by the Art in Architecture Coordinator. Following notification that an artist has been selected to provide or produce artwork, the artist will be required to register with the University as a vendor. Instructions will be provided.

Submission Instructions
Email Address
erikalee@illinois.edu
Emailing Submission Instructions
• Images (10-15) of the artwork along with sizes of the artwork
• Artist Resume (if a team – one from each team member) with current contact information
• Artist Statement of intent (one page maximum)
• Professional references including contact information Note: Send images as JPEG files only. All submittals become the property of the University of Illinois Art in Architecture Program. The artist retains copyrights to their work.

Learn more here.