The Indiana Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission, chaired by Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch, has issued a Call for Proposals to Indiana-based artists or artist teams interested in designing and fabricating an original work of art to be displayed in the Indiana Statehouse to commemorate the ratification of the 19th Amendment and to remain a part of the State of Indiana’s permanent public art collection.

BUDGET:  $10,000

ELIGIBILITY: Professional artists / artist teams over 18 and based in or living in Indiana

DEADLINE: January 10, 2020

*Note:  this is a call for proposals. Applicants will be submitting a design for the work they intend to create as part of the application process and will not receive compensation for this up-front design work.

Review the full Call for Proposals here.

ABOUT THE INDIANA WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE CENTENNIAL

The Indiana Women’s Suffrage Centennial, catalyzed by the Indiana Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission, Indiana Humanities, The Indianapolis Propylaeum, Indiana Historical Society and Indiana Historical Bureau, working with many grassroots and local partners, marks the 100-year anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment. The partners invite Hoosiers to honor the ideas and ideals that fueled the suffrage movement in Indiana, and the people who led the way. More information can be found at IndianaSuffrage100.org.

ABOUT THE CALL FOR PROPOSALS AND THEME

With the charge of creating a legacy for this important milestone in our state and nation’s history, the Indiana Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission is issuing a Call for Proposals to Indiana-based artists or artist teams interested in designing and fabricating an original work of art to be displayed in the Indiana Statehouse to commemorate the ratification of the 19th Amendment and to remain a part of the State of Indiana’s permanent public art collection. Proposals should embrace and celebrate a theme of representing the ideals, people, and actions behind the movement for women’s suffrage and the ratification of the 19th Amendment in Indiana and in the United States.

PROJECT GUIDING PRINCIPLES

1. Public resources are invested on behalf of every taxpayer to produce public value for all.
2. The principles of excellence, authenticity, fairness & equity, access, inclusion, and education should apply:
   • Excellence, because all should be able to have the highest possible artistic experience.
   • Authenticity, because all artistic endeavors have value.
   • Fairness, equity and access, because all should have the opportunity to benefit.
   • Inclusion, because all should feel welcome.
   • Education, because all should be changed through the experience.
3. The project should advance the well-being of all and work to build a culturally rich, cohesive, peaceful and prosperous state.
4. Public resources partner with communities, organizations and individuals to produce core, cultural benefits, and in so doing, open up those benefits so that they positively affect all.

ARTWORK INFORMATION

The artwork may be two or three-dimensional and be realistic or abstract in design. It is the Indiana Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission’s intention that the artwork “travel” within the statehouse, being sited in different public spaces within the building so that a wide array of visitors will be able to view the artwork; therefore the artwork should be able to be relocated readily by facility staff. No minimum dimensions are specified, but the artwork should be able to fit within a standard office doorway (80” tall, 32” wide). Three-dimensional artwork proposals should include a pedestal/stand as part of the proposal if one is required to properly view the artwork. The artwork must be durable, low maintenance, appropriate to the site and the theme. The artist/artist team should take into consideration the high amount of pedestrian viewership – design and fabrication must take into account the likelihood of unsupervised viewer interaction.

TIMELINE

• Call for Proposals Deadline: January 10, 2020, 5:00 p.m. eastern time
• Proposal Review: January/February 2020
• Selection notification: March 2020
• Artwork delivered to Indiana State House: August 2020
• Indiana Women’s Suffrage Centennial Artwork Unveiling: August 22, 2020

SELECTION PROCESS

Proposals will be reviewed by a selection panel convened by the Indiana Arts Commission, which will include artists working in public art, public art administrators, and citizens. Three finalists will then be submitted to the Indiana Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission, which will make the final selection. One proposal will be selected.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The selection panel will review submissions on the basis of design merit; feasibility; the extent to which the proposal responds to the theme and is suitable as a statewide commemorative artwork; and the extent to which it responds to the guiding principles Three finalists will then be submitted to the Indiana Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission, which will make the final selection.

WHAT TO SUBMIT

Individuals or teams interested in making a proposal to design and fabricate the Indiana Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission Commemorative Artwork should provide submission information uploaded electronically below to include:

1. A narrative statement which outlines your interest in this opportunity and relevant experience. Include information on any team members or partners involved.
2. A written description of the proposed design and fabrication approach to the artwork including potential materials, fabrication specifics, dimensions and pedestal/stand (if any).
3. A preliminary proposed drawing/sketch (black and white or color) of the artwork.
4. Three professional references.
5. Examples of previous work. Up to 10 digital images, links or websites that provide examples of previous experience.

HOW TO SUBMIT

Submit online here.

QUESTIONS? Contact Miah Michaelsen, Deputy Director of Operations, Indiana Arts Commission, mmichaelsen@iac.in.gov or 317.232.1286