Budget: $145,000.
Application deadline: October 19, 2019
Artwork for the Barry, Rush and Simpson Building lobbies, located in the Pastore Complex, Cranston, Rhode Island will be commissioned by the Rhode Island State Council On the Arts, (RISCA), through the state’s Public Art Law, which mandates that 1% of all state capital construction and renovation funds be allocated to the purchase and maintenance of public art. Through this program the State recognizes that “public art creates a more humane environment: one of distinction, enjoyment, and pride for all citizens.”
RISCA is committed to helping fine artists gain a foothold in the field of public art. Some excellent national resources on best practices include: the Public Art Network, the Public Art Archive, 4culture.org and Forecast Public Art.
The use of the Rush, Barry and Simpson Buildings is under review and may change, however, one of the main functions of the Pastore Complex is to house prisoners in the care, custody and control of the RI Department of Corrections (RIDOC).
The selection panel attended 2 site visits in spring and summer 2019 and determined that a teaching artist should be commissioned to work with the prison population to create artwork that could then be incorporated into designs for walls, floors, windows, columns, interior or exterior handrails, or artwork that would be suspended from ceilings.
Durability and sustainability of the work is vital, thus designs with elaborate maintenance requirements would need to be avoided.
The commissioned artist will be a creative thinker and collaborator and shall agree to abide by all RIDOC facility security rules and regulations, including a criminal background check. This individual must also attend the RIDOC New Employee Orientation (NEO). ,. Therefore, an even, mature temperament is important. The artist would need to undergo special training to work in the prisons and would need to budget more time and effort, particularly as materials must be brought in and out each time.
This is a national call for permanent work.
The budget may be used in its entirety in one of the 3 buildings or it can be split. This decision is solely at the discretion of the selection panel and the Rhode Island State Council On the Arts.
For more information and to submit, click here.