CALL TO ARTISTS
The Art-in-Architecture Program of the Capital Development Board is pleased to announce a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to Illinois professional artists to create permanent original public art for the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice Monarch Youth Center in Lincoln, Illinois.
FINAL DEADLINE Friday, January 10, 2025 3:00 P.M.
CDB.ArtinArchitecture@illinois.gov
Note: Applying before the final deadline is highly encouraged. Any portfolio submitted after the deadline will not be considered for this project.
ELIGIBILITY
These public art commissions and potential purchases are open to all professional artists, artisans, or artist-led teams that live and work in the state of Illinois.
• An artist/artisan is defined as a skilled practitioner that generates designs and concepts for creative works that reflect form, beauty, and aesthetic perception. All artists on a team must be from Illinois.
• Subcontractors may be used and are defined as those providing technical implementation such as construction, fabrication, and/or assembly for portions or all of a finished product under direct supervision and control of an artist.
• Faculty and staff of Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice and the Monarch Youth Center are not eligible to apply for this commission.
CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
The Monarch Youth Center (MYC), a new facility with onsite housing and a multipurpose building, is being constructed on the Lincoln Development Center campus in Lincoln, IL. The goal of the MYC is to provide a safe and contained environment for youth to grow and become prepared for a beautiful future. The monarch butterfly is known for its incredible metamorphosis from a simple caterpillar into something uniquely beautiful. It’s scientific name, Danaus plexippus, translates from Greek to “sleepy transformation.” The name evokes the species’ ability to hibernate and metamorphize. The facility itself was designed with trauma informed considerations, acknowledging the difficulties of the past while trying to empower the students towards a beautiful future.
ARTWORK SITE AND OBJECTIVE
The Committee is seeking one artist to create two murals. The first mural will be 6′ tall and 10′-5″ wide and is located next to the main entrance at the back of a seating niche. This space is where all visitors and staff are welcomed into the building. It is a large vestibule that establishes the security check point into the building. Youth have no day-to-day access to this vestibule but the mural is visible from the main lobby beyond this entry vestibule.
The second mural will be 5′-8″ tall x 15′-9″ wide and is located in the lobby/resource center. The purpose of this space is to provide a multifunctional welcoming environment that fosters artistic expression, supports learning, and promotes relaxation and connection among the youth. The lobby/resource center will have a small library and reading area with comfortable seating. It is connected to a culinary arts kitchen where the youth can prepare smoothies and juices for their families. Also included is a dedicated art section where the youth can showcase their creative works. These pieces will be displayed in a case with a rotating selection, bringing new perspectives and encouraging youth creativity. Overall, the lobby/resource center aims to create a supportive environment that enhances personal development and family bonds.
Each mural should be welcoming and focused on the idea of transformation. Renderings of the artwork sites are located on pages 8-9.
The artwork must be durable and safe with limited annual maintenance, as well as meet regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Illinois Accessibility Code.
SELECTION PROCESS
The Fine Arts Review Committee will review the portfolios of eligible applicants. At least three artists/teams will be selected as semi-finalists and paid a fee of $500 each to develop and present a site specific proposal. After the proposal presentations, the Committee will select a winning artist/team for the commission.
Correspondence will be sent to the semi-finalists and to the winning artist/team detailing the proposal process and contracts.
BUDGET DETAILS
The total budget for the artwork is $22,000. This budget covers all expenses associated with, but not limited to the project design, labor, fabrication, project management, materials, tools, contracted services, operations and meetings, and travel required to complete the artwork plus installation, related permits, licenses, taxes and insurance, and transportation and delivery of the work to the site, as well as documentation of the completed project. Any expense that exceeds the contracted amount will be the artist’s responsibility.
HOW AND WHERE TO SUBMIT
Email portfolio materials to CDB.ArtinArchitecture@illinois.gov no later than Friday, January 10, 2025 at 3:00 P.M. Any portfolio submitted after the deadline will not be considered for this project.
HOW TO APPLY
IF YOU HAVE ALREADY APPLIED TO THE ILLINOIS ART-IN-ARCHITECTURE PROGRAM
If you have previously applied you do not need to send your portfolio again. To apply for this project email the following:
Cover Letter (letter of intent or artist statement)
• One page maximum
• Include the project in which you are applying
• Your name and the name of your team members if applying as a team
• Your most current contact information including address, telephone number, and email address
IF YOU HAVE NEVER APPLIED TO THE ILLINOIS ART-IN-ARCHITECTURE PROGRAM OR YOU WISH TO UPDATE YOUR PORTFOLIO
Please email a full portfolio which includes one copy of each of the following:
Cover Letter (letter of intent or artist statement)
• One page maximum
• Include the project in which you are applying
Résumé (include your contact information)
If applying as a team, provide a resume for each team member
Artwork Images (up to 15 images for individuals or teams)
• One image per JPEG
• Pixel dimensions per image: approximately 600 x 800
• Image resolution: 72-300 pixels per inch
• Maximum file size per image: 1MB Artwork Image List (1-2 page document)
• A corresponding, numbered image list listing the artwork title, media, dimensions, date, location (if applicable), budget (if applicable), and brief description (optional)
• Do not include images within this document
Support Material (OPTIONAL)
• One page maximum
• Press clippings, volunteer work, artwork/commission spotlight, or other relevant information
Please note:
• Attach all files to the email
• DO NOT include artwork images within the body of the email
• JPEG files are required for artwork images
• Name each image lastnamefirstnameimagenumber.jpg, for example:
KahloFrida01.jpg KahloFrida02.jpg KahloFrida03.jpg
• PDF or Word files are required for all documents
• Name each document lastnamefirstname_document, for example:
KahloFrida_coverletter.pdf
KahloFrida_imagelist.doc
• DO NOT send design proposals
• All submittals become property of the Capital Development Board Art-in-
Architecture Program. Submissions can be made available for public viewing. The artist retains copyright.
https://cdb.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/cdb/professionalgrowth/art/documents/rfq/125-000-005-idjj-monarch-youth-center-rfq.pdf
