For Immediate Release: December 3, 2008
Contact: Jeff Morgan
Public Relations
515.281.3858
Jeff.Morgan@iowa.gov
IAC seeks Iowa artists for Art in State Buildings projects
Artist deadline is Dec. 31 for Iowa Veterans Home, Highway Patrol projects
(DES MOINES, Iowa)— The Iowa Arts Council, in conjunction with the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown and the Iowa Highway Patrol District 8 Office in Mason City, seeks Iowa artists to commission for new works of art as part of the Art in State Buildings (AiSB) program.
IAC is facilitating the artist selection and design proposal phases of both projects. Only Iowa artists registered in IAC’s Iowa Public Art Artist Resource will be considered for the projects:
- Iowa artists registered on the Resource must send a letter of interest to IAC.
- Iowa artists not registered on the Resource must send registration materials and a letter of interest to IAC.
Letters of interest and registration materials must be received by IAC’s Bruce Williams at bruce.williams@iowa.gov or 600 E. Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50319 by 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008. This is not a postmark deadline.
Visit http://www.iowaartscouncil.org/programs/public-art-and-design/ipaar.shtml for more information about each project or to obtain registration guidelines and forms. IAC office hours are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
With a total art budget of $225,000, the Iowa Veteran’s Home will integrate art into 10-12 fireplaces and the lobby of a new nursing home-like facility. The work must reflect the mission of the Iowa Veteran’s Home and/or the cultural heritage and history of the region or state.
The Iowa Highway Patrol District 8 Office will commission an Iowa artist to develop a site-specific design proposal for its new building in Mason City that reflects the mission of the Iowa Department of Public Safety and the Iowa Highway Patrol, and/or the cultural heritage and history of the eight counties of District 8. The budget for this project is $10,000.
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.
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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 for Iowans through support of the arts. Funding for the Iowa Arts Council and its programs is provided by the state of Iowa and the National Endowment for the Arts.