The University of Nebraska Kearney | STEM building selection committee, in partnership with the Nebraska Arts Council, is seeking artist qualifications for a new 1% for Art project.

Budget: $200,000
Eligibility: U.S. professional artists
Deadline: 11/29/2019 5:29 PM Central Time

Full RFQ: https://www.artscouncil.nebraska.gov/opportunities/for-artists/1-for-art.html
*NOTE: there is a $10 application fee for this project.

Project Description
The new 80,000 square foot STEM building will house the following programs: construction management, industrial distribution, interior design, aviation, cyber systems, mathematics and statistics, physics and astronomy and engineering.

The STEM building Selection Committee is seeking submissions for a public art project within the central atrium of the building, which connects the north and south wing, each housing classrooms and practical learning spaces. The first floor acts as a passageway through the building, with large glass entrance vestibules on the east and west sides. The intent for the central spaces on all three levels is for collaboration, study space, open-air classrooms and critiques, and a space to witness the process of learning and creation in the classrooms while walking through the building.

Artwork Goals
The STEM Selection Committee is most inspired by the notion that all the programs in this building are united by the hard work of research, trial and error, repetition that goes into every discovery, creation and invention that improves the world around us. The artwork for both projects should use this notion as an overall concept. While the building and artwork leads students, faculty, and guests through the building, it leaves them with an understanding of the concept and inspired about the path of discovery and creation. The committee is not particularly interested in artwork that specifically or literally addresses the included programs.

Artwork Location Description
The project is a large-scale sculptural piece in the two-story section of the central atrium, which is separated from the courtyard by a multi-paned glass wall and doors. The committee is interested in the idea of the artwork continuing into the courtyard on the other side of the glass wall for an exterior 3D sculpture. There is an opportunity of the art to incorporate some practical options like seating. A third, optional 3D component could expand to the East Atrium, which is more narrow and long but extends vertically between the first and second floor. The artwork should align with the overall concept and unify the building and the experience walking through the building.

Project Timeline

The deadline for RFQs is November 29, with artwork installation tentatively set for Nov 2020.

Selection Criteria

• Personal connection to project
• Clarity of conceptual approach
• Evidence of ability to complete quality projects based on work samples and references.

What to Submit

1. Your Website (if applicable); please include the URL for your, or related, professional online presence(s) that display your work.
2. Letter of Interest: (1 page): Describe your interest in the project, and general vision or plan for the artwork, outlining the relevance to the theme, and the style of art to be produced. Explain any relevant details to your involvement, such as your schedule, process, medium, and method by which you will create your work.
3. Resume/CV: Attach your resume/CV. Please upload the file in PDF format only.
4. 3 References: Please provide the names and contact information for three professional references who have an intimate knowledge of your public artwork and methods. If the reference worked on a particular project with you, please identify that project.
5. PORTFOLIO: Provide 1-10 items. Images (up to 5MB each), Video (up to 250MB each), Audio (up to 30MB each), PDFs (up to 10MB each) and Models (Sketchfab)

How to Submit

Submit information online at nebraska.slideroom.com.

QUESTIONS? Contact Meagan Dion, Public Art and Artist Programs Specialist, meagan.dion@nebraska.gov