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 State University (ISU) Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts Complex in Normal, Illinois.
FINAL DEADLINE Wednesday, March 4, 2026
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 ISU are not eligible to apply for this commission.
CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
The Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts Building Transformation Project will strengthen the Fine Arts presence on ISU’s campus and beyond. The Complex includes the Wonsook Kim School of Art; School of Music; School of Theatre, Dance, and Film; School of Creative Technologies; and Center for the Performing Arts. The Transformation Project consists of three complete additions and several areas of renovations and improvements to the Complex.
The purpose of the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts is to shape the next generation of creatives whether painter or player, entrepreneur or engineer. Our traditional studio programs, teaching programs, and tech-forward programs prepare graduates to advance culture, drive innovation, and lead with purpose.
Our core values are creativity, collaboration, and community. Art and music were two of the founding disciplines of Illinois State Normal University in 1857. It was not, however, until 1970 that a formal College of Fine Arts was created. In 2019, the College was named thanks to a transformative gift from distinguished alumna Wonsook Kim and her husband, Thomas Clement. This long and proud history should be reflected within the artwork design and installation.
ARTWORK SITE
The Committee is seeking an exterior artwork for the courtyard on the northside of the new Commons addition. Reference pages 7-10. The Commons links the two major Centers: Visual Arts and Performing Arts. The artwork site sits directly in front of the Student Art Gallery.
This site-specific artwork for the Fine Arts Complex is situated within ISU’s Fell Arboretum. The Fell Arboretum is a valued asset at ISU. Since 2008, the Arbor Day Foundation has acknowledged the University as a Tree Campus Higher Education Institution for promoting healthy trees and engaging students and staff in the spirit of conservation. ISU also has a Level II accreditation from the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program. ArbNet recognizes arboreta for their developing collections, scientific accomplishments, and commitment to the study and conservation of trees.
ARTISTIC OBJECTIVES
Artists have approximately 1,045 square feet of space within the Commons courtyard to utilize as they see fit for this exterior artwork. The artwork should draw inspiration from the cultural, historical, and environmental contexts of ISU, the Fine Arts Complex, and the Fell Arboretum. Community engagement is encouraged, though climbing or sitting on the work is not permitted. Offering opportunities for visual interaction, such as photography, is welcomed. Artists are not limited to specific media or styles. 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 $3,000 each to develop and present a site-specific design proposal. After the 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 budget for the artwork is $195,000. This budget covers all expenses associated with the completion and installation of the work including, but not limited to the project design, materials, fabrication, tools, project management, operations, meetings, travel, installation, licenses, insurance, contracted services, delivery of the work to the site, and documentation of the completed project. Any expense that exceeds the contracted amount will be the artist’s responsibility. The artist is responsible for working with the Capital Development Board Art-in- Architecture Program, the Client Agency, and other relevant partners to oversee all aspects of the art installation.
HOW TO APPLY
Email portfolio materials to CDB.ArtinArchitecture@illinois.gov no later than Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 3:00 P.M. Any portfolio submitted after the deadline will not be considered for this project.
IF YOU PREVIOUSLY APPLIED TO THE ILLINOIS ART-IN-ARCHITECTURE PROGRAM
Please email the following:
Cover Letter- letter of intent or artist statement (one page maximum)
• Include the project in which you are applying
• Include name and contact information- 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
• Include name and contact information- address, telephone number, and email address
Résumé (include 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
• Name each image: lastnamefirstnameimagenumber.jpg, for example:
KahloFrida01.jpg
KahloFrida02.jpg
KahloFrida03.jpg, etc.
Artwork Image List (one 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
• JPEG files are required for artwork images
• PDF or Word files are required for all documents
• Name each document “lastnamefirstname_document”, for example:
KahloFrida_coverletter.pdf
KahloFrida_imagelist.doc
• DO NOT include artwork images within the body of the email
• DO NOT send design proposals
LEGAL AGREEMENT
The Capital Development Board Art-in-Architecture Program reserves the right to alter any aspect of the selection process or overall project in any way for its own convenience at any time. This Request for Qualifications does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract and these provisions are subject to change.
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.
QUESTIONS
The Art-in-Architecture Procedure Manual, commission opportunities, and other information are posted on the AIA Program website. For questions, email
CDB.ArtinArchitecture@illinois.gov.
ABOUT THE ART-IN-ARCHITECTURE PROGRAM
The Illinois Art-in-Architecture Program promotes and preserves Illinois art and enriches communities by commissioning original artwork for public buildings constructed with State funds.
The enabling legislation for the Program requires that the Capital Development Board “shall set aside 1/2 of 1 percent of the amount authorized and appropriated for construction or reconstruction of each public building financed in whole or in part by State funds and generally accessible to and used by the public for purchase and placement of suitable works of art in such public buildings.” A committee including art professionals and the project architect oversees each project and selects the artwork.
Since its inception in 1977, the Art-in-Architecture Program has purchased or commissioned works of art by Illinois artists for public display throughout Illinois.
For more information visit the AIA Program website.