IAC Press Release

For Immediate Release: February 5, 2008

Contact: Jeff Morgan
Public Relations
515.281.3858
Jeff.Morgan@iowa.gov


IAC seeks artists for “green” state office building project

$9.93 million building to be teaching tool for energy conservation

(DES MOINES, Iowa)— The Iowa Arts Council, in conjunction with the Department of Administrative Services, is seeking artists interested in integrating public art into a new “green” state office building to be constructed on the Capitol Complex in Des Moines.

The 44,500 square-foot energy-efficient Iowa Utilities Board/Office of the Consumer Advocate Building will be designed to obtain LEED certification, with a particular focus on reduced demand for energy.

LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System™ – is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings that focus on five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

The IUB/OCA building will serve as a high-performing model of energy efficiency that provides an exemplary working environment for state employees and customers; teaches the public and guests about proven technologies of wise energy usage; and educates Iowa municipalities and communities about being good environmental stewards in their own jurisdictions.

The integration of art, design, and aesthetic elements on the site will showcase the importance of utility services to the Iowa economy, and demonstrate the value of all Iowans to be responsible for wise use of energy resources.

The IUB/OCA envisions art incorporated into the building will be stimulating to the eye, mind and spirit of employees, customers and guests. Art that incorporates a demonstration of energy efficiency or the use of renewable energy sources is desirable. The total art budget for the $9.93 million project is $48,650.

The Iowa Legislature enacted the Art in State Buildings program in 1979 to ensure that fine arts play an important and integral role in state construction projects. Iowa’s legislation requires one-half of one percent of the total cost of state construction projects be used for the inclusion of fine arts in state building projects.

The program provides building designers and planners, artists, state agencies, state employees, arts professionals and other Iowans the opportunity to collaborate in planning and implementing public art projects for a specific public site or place.

IAC is facilitating the project’s Artist Selection and Concept Design Phases.

Requests for registration guidelines and template documents should be sent to Bruce Williams, Public Art Program Coordinator, Iowa Arts Council, at bruce.williams@iowa.gov 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The IAC office is closed weekends and state holidays.

To be eligible, Iowa artists must be registered in IAC’s Iowa Public Art Artist Resource. Iowa artists who are not in the resource have until 4:30 pm (CST), Feb. 29, 2008 to register their materials.

All other artists must contact IAC to obtain application materials, which must be returned by the 4:30 pm (CST), Feb. 29, 2008. The materials will be retained by IAC but not added to the Iowa Public Art Artist Resource. Additional information or materials not required in the guidelines will not be reviewed (Letter of Interest, publications, etc.).

The IUB/OCA building public art project timeline follows:

 

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The Iowa Arts Council is a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs and works to enrich the quality of life and learning in Iowa communities by encouraging excellence in the arts through leadership, grants and technical assistance. Funding for the Iowa Arts Council and its programs is provided by the State of Iowa and the National Endowment for the Arts.