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 Transportation Coalfield Rest Areas in Waggoner, Illinois.
FINAL DEADLINE Wednesday, April 29, 2026 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 IDOT are not eligible to apply for this commission.
CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
The Coalfield North and Southbound Rest Areas are located thirty miles south of Springfield, Illinois on I-55 in the heart of central Illinois’ historic coal mining region. The project involves the construction of new rest area facilities and site amenities including reconfiguration of site circulation, expanded parking, landscape elements, and historic cultural interpretative materials. In addition to the redevelopment of the physical site and its features, celebrating the coal country theme is central to the project. This theme is echoed in the rest areas’ architectural design and supported by site features and informational displays.
The interpretive identity of the Coalfield Rest Areas is rooted in the history of coal mining and its significance to central Illinois and to national labor reform movements. Illinois’ coal legacy is not a pervasive history despite its extensive historic significance. Interstate 55 is a major north/south artery that carries millions of travelers through Illinois providing a unique opportunity to communicate with a vast and diverse audience. Informational displays will focus on communicating the rich history of coal mining and its impact on nearby communities.
ARTWORK SITE
The Committee is seeking exterior wall art installations for each Rest Area, totaling four works. The work will be installed on the large granite walls adjacent to the entrances of each Rest Area. The dark stone walls make an excellent backdrop for the artwork which will be viewed by all visitors upon approaching the buildings.
Reference site plans and renderings.
ARTISTIC OBJECTIVES
The visibility of the Rest Areas offers a powerful platform to communicate and connect travelers to central Illinois’ unique cultural landscape. The artwork should further enhance the coal country theme. Though each large granite wall is irregular in shape, roughly 10×16’, the artist can decide how much of each wall is utilized for the installation. The artist can decide if all four works are identical, varied, or a combination. Artists are not limited to a specific media.
The artwork locations are under large overhanging roofs, but will still be exposed to the elements. 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 $1,500 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-finalist
BUDGET DETAILS
The budget for the project is $82,000, which 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 using 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, April 29, 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
• 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.
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
QUESTIONS
The Art-in-Architecture Procedure Manual, commission opportunities, and other
information are posted at AIA Program website. For questions, contact the Art-in-Architecture Program at 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, and 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.