Call to Artists: Commission for the Oregon Supreme Court Building, Deadline April 19

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Artists sought for artwork commission at the Oregon Supreme Court Building

The Oregon Arts Commission and Oregon Judicial Department invite artists to submit qualifications to be considered for an interior artwork commission at the Supreme Court Building in Salem.

 

About the Supreme Court Building

Completed in 1914 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Supreme Court Building is home to Oregon’s judicial branch of government. The Oregon Supreme Court and Court of Appeals hear oral arguments in the building’s historic courtroom. The building also houses the Supreme Court offices and State Law Library. The three-story, Classical Revival-style building features an abundance of classical detailing, a grand staircase and a resplendent stained-glass skylight in the courtroom.

An interior modernization and seismic retrofit will improve building functionality, performance, and safety.

 

Budget

$245,000 is available for commissioning new site-specific interior art. The budget includes artist fees, fabrication, insurance, shipping, travel, installation, documentation and all other project costs. One or multiple artworks may be commissioned.

 

Eligibility

Open to all artists and artist teams (national and international). Finalists will be selected based on the artist’s portfolio, experience and letter of interest. Past use of community collaboration strategies is a plus but not required for selection. Artist teams should have proven experience that demonstrates their professional qualifications working together as a team.

 

Artists living in Oregon are encouraged to apply. The RFQ solicitation and selection process is to be inclusive, encouraging a diverse selection of artists to apply, including women; artists from communities of color; LGBTQ+; and emerging artists.

 

Deadline

Materials must be submitted by 5.pm. on Monday, April 19, 2021.

 

Selection Process

A selection committee will review applications and select a shortlist of finalists who will be invited to submit a design proposal. Finalists will receive an artist fee of 1% of the commission budget per artist/artist team to create a design proposal (ex: if commission budget is the full $245,000, the proposal fee would be $2,450). The proposal will include a concept narrative, 2D or 3D schematics and estimated budget and timeline.

 

Themes, Values and Goals

The mission of the Oregon Judicial Department is “to provide fair and accessible justice services that protect the rights of individuals, preserve community welfare, and inspire public confidence.” The Supreme Court Building embodies the ideal of equal justice under the law for all, regardless of personal characteristics or political affiliation.

 

The selection committee seeks artwork that:

• makes people feel comfortable, welcome, and protected in their rights;
• is socially inclusive;
• is timeless and able to weather potential shifting social considerations;
• creates a warm atmosphere; and
• respects the history and construction of the building, though it is not required to be historical in nature.

 

Art Locations

The Percent for Art selection committee has proposed specific locations that would be best suited for art installations within the historical building: the grand staircase walls, courtroom floor area and/or the large side walls in the courtroom. See the RFQ PDF for images and info about the art locations. A few smaller locations not highlighted in the RFQ are also open for consideration. Finalists will be given a full building tour.

 

More Information

For more details and how to apply, see the Oregon Supreme Court Building Request for Qualifications PDF.

Questions? Contact Peg Butler, Percent for Art project manager: pegbutlerart@gmail.com