Qualifications are being sought from artists and/or artist teams interested in creating site specific artwork(s) for the new Utah State University Biology and Natural Resources Facility in Logan, Utah. This public art project is connected with the remodel of the S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney Biology-Natural Resources Building that was built in 1958. The building is located on USU’s Logan campus, east of the Welcome Center and north of the new Life Sciences Building.

Budget: $158,000
Eligibility: Professional artists legally residing in the U.S., with authorization to work in the U.S.
Deadline: 07/08/2019 6:00 PM Central Time

Full RFQ available here.

Project Description
The Committee invites artists to consider the student and staff pursuits in the study of biology and natural resources as well as honor / consider the original structure while interpreting the new life / architecture of this 2019 remodel. If an exterior work is proposed the artist may wish to consider that both biology and the natural resources are studied / researched in this facility. If an interior work is proposed, the re-model focus is for the north corridors and stairwells where the study of Biology is the primary focus.

The following areas have been identified as potential sites for an artist’s contribution / integration but the Committee is open to other areas that may be of interest to the artist(s).

• The exterior west and/or southwest plaza.
• The interior corridor and/or stairwell surfaces of the north wing. These sites may lend themselves well to multiples or series that are as integrated as possible.

Site History

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY
The College of Science at Utah State University strives to: promote innovative research to advance basic science and to meet local and global challenges; engage students in research and inspire self-discovery; foster excellence and inclusiveness in science education; and communicate to the public the value of science and evidence-based thinking.

The Biology Department trains students in a variety of biological disciplines, providing foundations for careers in health professions, research, industry, or government agencies, or for further training in graduate or health professional schools. Through a range of learning opportunities and degree programs, the Biology Department opens new doors to undergraduates and graduate students alike as they step beyond the classroom and participate in advanced research in the lab or in the field.

USU’s undergraduate health profession students have the opportunity to receive advanced education in human anatomy and physiology. The Biology Department will offer a human dissection course in the newly renovated BNR giving students hands-on preparation not available at most other universities. Utah State’s mentorship of pre-professional students ranks among the best in the nation, with medical, dental and graduate school acceptance rates for USU graduates exceeding national averages.

This remodel will enable USU to better provide foundational courses in the biological sciences for students throughout the university. The facility provides the colleges of Science and Natural Resources with updated class labs, a lobby and student study space outside the existing 300-seat auditorium. In addition to the west side lobby, this project is remodeling the north wing of the building to provide updated teaching and research facilities to meet current ADA and fire safety codes as well as updated seismic and HVAC systems.

LOGAN, UTAH
Logan is nestled at the foot of the nearly 10,000-foot high Bear River Mountain Range. Residents consider Logan Canyon a 40-mile community park which leads to 18-mile long Bear Lake, called the Rocky Mountain Caribbean for its azure blue waters.

The research university that is Utah State University, contributes to the community’s emphasis on education, as well as cultural, entertainment, and spectator sport opportunities, a vigorous economic base, and a diverse culture. The cultural offerings are excellent with a resident opera company, repertory theatre, and several dance companies. Logan has a strong agricultural base with Cache County being Utah’s leading agricultural producer.

COMMITTEE STATEMENT
The USU College of Biology and Natural Resources Selection Committee knows this remodel will enhance the campus and the student experience. This building, next to the recently completed Life Sciences Building, will contribute to this area of the beautiful USU campus. The west lobby, being created as part of this remodel, is designed to honor and focus on the 1962 mosaic mural as part of the school’s history while providing visitors, students and faculty a contemporary space for today.

Selection Process
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 September 17, 2019. Once selected as a finalist, the committee 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.

Timeline

• July 8, 2019 – Deadline for receipt of preliminary materials
• July 16, 2019- Committee Review
• September 17, 2019 – Finalists interviews and presentations
• September 2020 – Project substantial completion

What to Submit

1. A letter of interest of not more than three typewritten pages in pdf format. This letter should include the artist’s reasons for interest in this project in particular. In doing so, the artist should also describe how his/her work and/or experience relates to the project.
2. Up to six (6) images maximum of previous site-specific public work. All images must be in JPEG format, 1920 pixels maximum on the longest side, 72 dpi, with compression settings resulting in the best image quality under 2MB file size. The image files should be named so that the list sorts in the order of the image listing. If the work cannot be documented well with still images a movie file (of no more than 3 minutes) may be submitted as documentation of artist’s projects. Please note only one media, movie file or images, can be presented to the committee per artist in this preliminary phase.
3. A pdf document identifying each image to include title, year, medium, dimensions.
4. A professional resume in pdf format.

How to Submit

Complete digital application packages must be RECEIVED on or before July 8, 2019 by 5 p.m. MDT (THIS IS NOT A POSTMARK DEADLINE). Applications may be submitted by the deadline by ONE of the following methods:

ONLINE:  Apply online via the CaFE system.

MAILED:  A PC compatible USB thumb drive labeled with applicant’s name, sent to: Utah Public Art Program RE: USU Biology & Natural Resources 300 S Rio Grande Salt Lake City, UT 8410 .  If the artist wishes the material returned, an addressed and stamped envelope of ample size and postage for return of the flash / thumb drive should be included. Material that is not accompanied by a stamped envelope cannot be returned. Utah Arts & Museums will not be responsible for applications delayed or lost in transit. While all reasonable care will be taken in the handling of materials, neither the Utah Division of Arts & Museums nor the USU Biology & Natural Resources Art Selection Committee will be liable for late, lost or damaged materials or electronic files.

Faxed or e-mailed applications cannot be accepted. The USU Biology & Natural Resources Art Selection Committee reserves the right to withhold the award of a commission or re-release the call for entries.

QUESTIONS?  Contact Lisa Greenhalgh, 801-245-7270 or lggreenhalgh@utah.gov