Oregon State University Is Commissioning Public Art for New Arts & Education Complex

Oregon State University’s (OSU) new Arts & Education Complex in Corvallis, Oregon, will bring together music, theatre, digital communications, and the visual arts to create a campus centerpiece and gateway for culture and creativity. The facility’s design eschews traditional front-of-house and back-of-house separations in favor of weaving performance and learning spaces throughout the building, which is intended to prioritize the student experience and highlight learning as part of the performance process.

In the spirit of these collapsing distinctions between audience and performer, rehearsal and performance, and students and the public, OSU invites artists who are interested in creating site-specific artwork for the Arts & Education Complex (AEC) to send in their qualifications for the chance to be selected for this commission.

The budget of $390,000 includes artist fees, fabrication, insurance, shipping, travel, installation, documentation, and any other project costs. Regional, US-based, and international artists, as well as artist teams, are eligible to apply.

The selection committee will review applications and select a shortlist of up to three finalists for a proposal process, awarding each a $2,000 design fee to generate a project proposal. Finalists will attend a project orientation meeting and produce proposals that include a concept narrative, schematics, and an estimated budget and timeline; which they will then present to the committee.

Finalists will be selected based on the artist’s past work as provided in submitted documents, experience, and a letter of interest. Past use of community collaboration strategies and participation are a plus, but not required for selection.

All elements of the application, including a short letter of interest, resume, up to 10 images of past work, and a document breaking down information about each work, are due on August 20, 2021, by 5pm (PDT). Applications should be emailed to rburghard.art@gmail.com.

To access the Request for Qualifications and learn more, visit oregonartscommission.org.