Art in Public Places Program

Call for artists Before you start, please read the full prospectus below or click here to view and download as a PDF.

DEADLINE: 5pm (Pacific), Tuesday, January 6, 2026. Please allow time to prepare your materials and apply. You can save your work and come back to it. We do not accept late, incomplete, mailed, or hand-delivered applications. 

Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA)  

Eastern Washington University – Science Renovation I and II  

CALL FOR ART / REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)       

Due: Tuesday, January 6, 5pm PT Budget: $391,863.00 inclusive of design, fabrication, and installation.       

 What we’re looking for   Eastern Washington University (EWU) and ArtsWA are seeking an artist or artist team to design and create original, permanent, site-responsive artwork for the newly renovated science facility on EWU’s Cheney, WA campus. We seek applicants who can design and create artwork that connects with the sciences, themes of community and collaboration, and the unique landscape of eastern Washington. Emerging, mid-career, and established artists are encouraged to apply.       

Eligibility 

Artists located within the Pacific Northwest are eligible to apply. This includes artists who reside in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, and British Columbia who are eligible for work in the United States. Those with active or recent ArtsWA projects are ineligible for this call.    We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, age, marital status, families with children, protected veteran or military status, HIV or hepatitis C, status as an individual breastfeeding their child, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, as provided for and to the extent required by state and federal laws.   The Washington State Arts Commission is committed to values of inclusion, diversity, equity, and creative expression. We believe in diverse forms of artistic expression, and we believe in access to arts and arts education for all individuals in our state. The arts can and should play a role in addressing inequities, modelling inclusion, and teaching empathy. 

How to submit   Please apply on Submittable: ArtsWA Public Art Submission Manager by, Tuesday, January 6, 2026. You should receive confirmation of your submission within one business day. This is an electronic form. If you require an alternate format or assistance to access the application, please reach out to AIPP Project Manager Rebecca Merkley at the contact information below or ArtsWA Accessibility Coordinator Alexis Sarah at alexis.sarah@arts.wa.gov or 360-228-6359 (please limit to accessibility requests; Alexis will not be able to assist with technical issues on the Submittable platform).   

What to submit   Artists interested in this project must prepare the following:      

 1. An artist bio telling us about yourself or your team. 

·You can include details about your life experience, training, education, mentors, teachers, places lived, career milestones, shows, exhibitions, past projects, etc. If there are parts of your identity or identities that inform your experience, please tell us how.   

2. Artist Statement 

· Describe the focus of your art practice. You can share the materials you like to work with and the concepts, ideas, or experiences that inform your process in creating art.   

3. 8 images of past works or works in progress that best illustrate your practice 

Please submit eight (8) images that demonstrate your artistic expertise. Concept artwork and images from current or past proposals can be included. These images will be shared with the art selection committee, and your image descriptions may be read aloud during review.    

· Best display practices: 

a. Submit horizontal images 

b. Use large file sizes (minimum 800 x 800 pixels; max file size 2 MB)   

Before uploading: Decide on your image order. You cannot rearrange images after uploading.   

c. Descriptions: Image description fields will appear once you click the “Choose File” button for each image. Portfolios without image descriptions may be disqualified as incomplete.   

d. Please do not submit composite images. You may submit multiple views of a single piece as separate images.       

A few tips before you start:   Images may take time to load. Take a deep breath, grab a cup of coffee, or stretch! Review our Portfolio Tips before uploading. The application autosaves, so you can take breaks and return as needed.       

AI Usage Policy: ArtsWA does not prohibit the use of large language models (LLM) or artificial intelligence (AI) as creative tools. However, images and written materials solely created through generative AI are not acceptable as work samples or commissioned artworks because they are not protected by copyright.   

EWU Land Acknowledgement

At Eastern Washington University, we are proud to recognize the land of the Spokane Tribe and other tribes that shared the land for fishing and trading. The Spokane Tribe, Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Kalispel Tribe, the Nez Perce Tribe and the Yakama Nation are integral to the cultural heritage and traditional ethnological knowledge of the land.

Native American heritage is woven into the fabric of our institution, enriching our community through tribal culture, historical teachings, and tribal language, and is embraced daily by students, staff, faculty, and the Eastern Washington community.

At EWU, we are committed to reflecting on and acknowledging the historical injustices of genocide and the forced removal of tribal peoples and all our relatives. EWU recognizes and honors tribal sovereignty and government to government relationships with tribes.

From here forward, EWU will remain committed to supporting, honoring, and recognizing the Native American community and the dynamic contributions that are shared with our university.

About EWU and the Science Renovation

EWU is a significant historical landmark and resource to the surrounding area. As a polytechnic institution, the university serves a diverse range of communities including many non-traditional and first-generation students. Ensuring accessibility across multiple facets and providing a high-quality education are critical components for the economic growth of the region. EWU prepares students for the workforce and advances important research through academic excellence across disciplines.

The science facility houses biology, geosciences, chemistry, and physics programs, which conduct laboratory and field research. The ongoing renovation reimagines community to create enriching learning opportunities as well as space for social engagement. With a focus on sustainability and responsible energy use, the updated design looks to the future and technological development. Exterior landscaping with carefully selected plants and natural stone connects with instruction and enhances the multidisciplinary space.

EWU is located just north of Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge and surrounded by lakes, hills, and trails. This promotes appreciation of the natural world and the particular beauty of the Palouse Prairie for students of all disciplines. Outdoor recreation forms an important cultural touchstone and connection to the land. Prairie restoration and salmon repopulation are ongoing conservation efforts with regional partners. 

ArtsWA Art in Public Places program vision

ArtsWA’s Art in Public Places program is uniquely positioned to advance and support art and artists across Washington. Our goal is to build and care for a dynamic contemporary art collection that is accessible and valued. We seek impactful and lasting artworks that reflect Washington’s diverse communities.

What you will need to do if chosen

The artwork will be commissioned through ArtsWA’s Art in Public Places program. Artists will coordinate work with ArtsWA and EWU staff. An agreement between ArtsWA and the artist or artist team will formalize budget, schedule, and design. The selected artist(s) will be expected to:

· Design and propose an artwork for review and approval by ArtsWA staff, conservators, and the Art Selection Committee

· Travel to and/or virtually meet with the project site up to three times during the proposal/design process to meet with the Art Selection Committee and ArtsWA project manager

· Work within the fixed budget

· Maintain registration as a WA State vendor and adhere to applicable state permitting and licensing requirements, including those relating to contracting and prevailing wages 

· Enter into contracts with ArtsWA and fulfill those requirements, including paying applicable taxes.

What the budget needs to include

The project budget is $391,863.00 inclusive of design, travel, structural engineering, materials, fabrication, installation, artist fee, taxes and all other associated project costs.

How we choose the artist(s)

The Art Selection Committee consists of local partners including EWU staff and community members. The selection process is facilitated by an ArtsWA project manager. The panel will review submitted portfolios and materials of all applicants and select one or more artists or artist teams to create a proposal and artwork.

The criteria used by the Art Selection Committee will include:

· Appropriateness    Evidence of the artist’s ability to execute artwork at an appropriate scale and using materials suitable for permanent artwork in public places, or demonstrated potential for successful transition to public art;

· Site Responsiveness    Evidence of the artist’s ability to create artwork that addresses the physical and/or community context of its placement; and

· Artistic Excellence    Evidence of some or all the following: mastery of skills and techniques, professional approaches to process and presentation, and/or communication of unique vision or perspective.

Timeline

· RFQ distributed: November 18, 2025

· All materials due: January 6, 2026 - 5:00pm Pacific

· Art Selection Committee review: January 6-27

· Notification to selected artist(s): February

(Committee may decide to interview 2-3 finalists before making selection)

· Artist site visit: March/April

· Design: 6-9 months

· Fabrication: 9-12 months

· Anticipated artwork installation: Fall 2027

To avoid technical problems, artists are encouraged to submit well in advance of the deadline. Late submittals will not be accepted.

Due Date and Time: Tuesday, January 6, 2026 - 5PM Pacific Time

The Art Selection Committee may opt to not select an artist from this submission process. The committee reserves the right to commission one or multiple artists/artist teams if appropriate.

Have Questions?   Contact Rebecca Merkley, Art in Public Places Project Manager, 360-252-9986, rebecca.merkley@arts.wa.gov