The Art-in-Architecture Program of the Capital Development Board is pleased to announce a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to Illinois professional artists to create permanent original public art for the University of Illinois Springfield Library Commons.

The budget for the artwork is $118,000. 

The Committee is seeking an interior wall art installation that emphasizes movement and flow, emulating the exterior and interior architectural wrapping elements. The total area available for art is approximately 1,014 square feet of interior wall space located within the atrium, a three-story public gathering space serving as a vibrant welcome to the Library Commons. The artwork wall overlooks the atrium, encompasses the west side of the 2nd and 3rd floors, and faces the primary open stairs. The artwork site is viewable from many vantage points throughout the building therefore the work must set the tone for an inspiring and dynamic atmosphere in which students can work and collaborate. The Committee does not have a preferences regarding media or style. The work must be durable, safe, and cost effective to maintain with limited annual maintenance.

The Art-in-Architecture Program of the Capital Development Board is pleased to announce a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to Illinois professional artists to create permanent original public art for The Phillip J. Rock Center and School in Glen Ellyn, Illinois where a new 24,665 square foot building is being constructed to replace the existing facility built in the 1960s. Once complete the existing building will be demolished to make way for a playground and site improvements.

The Philip J. Rock Center and School is more than a facility; it is an extended family to parents and their children who live with both hearing and vision disabilities. Our devoted staff accompany the kids throughout the day, constantly working toward the goal of helping each student live as independently as possible according to their personal abilities. The shared vision of "Together for Independence" makes this a reality.

The Philip J. Rock Center and School serves students who are deafblind, blind or visually impaired, or deaf or hard-of-hearing. Also, many students have mental and/or physical impairments. These students have multiple needs and require a functional academic curriculum with a focus on daily living skills. It is a publicly funded residential school serving students from the age of three through their twenty-second birthday/school year.

The Committee is seeking one artist to create two murals. The first mural will be 6' tall and 10'-5" wide and is located next to the main entrance at the back of a seating niche. This space is where all visitors and staff are welcomed into the building. It is a large vestibule that establishes the security check point into the building. Youth have no day-to-day access to this vestibule but the mural is visible from the main lobby beyond this entry vestibule.

The second mural will be 5'-8" tall x 15'-9" wide and is located in the lobby/resource center. The purpose of this space is to provide a multifunctional welcoming environment that fosters artistic expression, supports learning, and promotes relaxation and connection among the youth. The lobby/resource center will have a small library and reading area with comfortable seating. It is connected to a culinary arts kitchen where the youth can prepare smoothies and juices for their families. Also included is a dedicated art section where the youth can showcase their creative works. These pieces will be displayed in a case with a rotating selection, bringing new perspectives and encouraging youth creativity. Overall, the lobby/resource center aims to create a supportive environment that enhances personal development and family bonds.

Each mural should be welcoming and focused on the idea of transformation. Renderings of the artwork sites are located on pages 8-9 of the RFQ.

The artwork must be durable and safe with limited annual maintenance, as well as meet regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Illinois Accessibility Code.

The purpose of this construction project was to renovate the Student Services and Support Services areas within Menard Hall. This is most students’ first impression of the college as the renovated area includes Registration, Admissions, Recruiting, Accessibility Services, Financial Aid, Testing, Student Success, and Grant Funded Support Service Programs including Workforce Equity Initiative (WEI) and TRIO.
The College is seeking to purchase interior artwork to be placed in public, focal areas within the renovated spaces. The final placement of artwork will be decided and hung by the College’s staff. Examples of artwork locations with dimensions are provided on pages 7-9 of the RFQ. Interior walls are constructed from 4” metal studs and 5/8” drywall. The studs are 16” on center. The maximum carry load per screw through a metal stud is 50 pounds. The load must be straight down, not pulling off the wall. The artwork must be framed, if applicable. Acid-free matting, backing, and mounting materials are required to achieve museum quality longevity.

The College has no preference for media, theme, or style. The artwork can include two-dimensional media such as painting, drawing, photography, textiles, collage, and mixed-media, as well as three-dimensional pieces suitable for hanging. Reference the images on pages 7-9 of the RFQ to determine the size of artwork to submit.
All artwork must be durable, safe, and require limited maintenance. The artwork must meet requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Illinois Accessibility Code for protruding objects.

The Art-in-Architecture Program of the Capital Development Board is pleased to announce a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to Illinois professional artists to create permanent original public art for John A. Logan College in Carterville, Illinois.

This renovation will define the main entrance of Building C and create a public gathering space. The new lobby will expand into the footprint of the current concrete walkway and porch. The project will include a 6,250 square foot addition and approximately 2,500 square foot interior renovation. The goal for the construction project is to improve circulation in the current congested lobby area and create an inviting space for students and visitors.

The Committee is interested in artwork that makes use of the natural lighting, but can also incorporate lighting. The artwork should draw the eye upward, flow, and if possible, reflect the natural beauty of southern Illinois (lakes, parks, outdoor recreation, etc.). The history and relationship of the southern Illinois area to the coal industry could be taken into consideration. Also, the artwork could draw inspiration from existing sculptures on campus to form a cohesive collection.
The artwork must be durable and safe with limited annual maintenance, as well as meet regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Illinois Accessibility Code.

The Spoon River College Macomb Campus will inhabit 65,000 square feet of former retail space. This dynamic and transformative renovation will feature new skylights bringing daylight deep into the building through an open ceiling. The renovation of this space is aimed at enhancing educational opportunities and regional economic development. The campus will feature state-of-the-art facilities including modern classrooms, learning laboratories for nursing programs, and hands-on learning laboratories for career and technical education programs.

The building is designed to provide a comfortable learning space that is welcoming to all students. Once completed, the new campus will serve as a vibrant hub for learning, innovation, and community activities, while fostering a supportive environment for academic and personal growth.

For details about the project description, please review the RFQ from the link below:

https://cdb.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/cdb/professionalgrowth/art/documents/rfq/spoon-river-college-rfq-2024.pdf 

The Canning Center will house the Student Center, the Hospitality Facilities, and the University Center departments and programs. The Center’s design shall address the diverse culture of the student community and provide connecting links to adjacent buildings.

The Student Center shall group all student services and related functions into one location on campus:

• Create a Welcome Center for new and prospective students.

• Create a one-stop to consolidate all student services.

• Craft a centralized hub for ease of access to campus services and activities.

• Provide shared resources convenient for students, faculty, and staff to utilize on a daily basis.

• Identify current program elements for the Campus Life/One Stop Admission Center.

The Hospitality Facilities will provide instructional and laboratory spaces to educate students in Hotel Management, Restaurant Management, and Culinary Arts.

The University Center will include the Testing and Certification Center, provide an atmosphere to support and encourage collaboration with local businesses, and support the 2+2 and 3+1 programs by providing better access to other resources on the main campus.

Built in 1963, the Rail Splitter Safety Rest Areas, located just north of Springfield, were the first interstate highway rest areas in Illinois. With the advent of the interstate highway system, rest areas became part of the cultural landscape—a piece of our national heritage—providing a sense of place and identity for the region in which they stand.

The new Rail Splitter Safety Rest Areas will honor Illinois Department of Transportation’s significant contributions in interstate highway design and construction by preserving and restoring these historic landmarks. The dramatic concrete canopies, an architectural innovation of the time, will remain a beacon for travelers—a tribute to mid-century architecture and engineering. The spacious Rest Areas will welcome travelers by offering a beautiful landscape, innovative design, and a connection to Illinois history.

The Art-in-Architecture Program of the Capital Development Board is pleased to announce a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to Illinois professional artists for the purchase of permanent original art for the College of Lake County (CLC), Lakeshore Campus in Waukegan, Illinois.

The Lakeshore Campus along Genesee St. in Waukegan serves as a community hub, supports economic growth, and through educational opportunity leads to family-sustaining careers. This new facility connects directly to our vibrant arts community, highlights some of our most scenic views of our lakefront and downtown opportunities, and utilizes Waukegan’s access to public transportation.
The new six-story Lakeshore Center is fully integrated into the campus linking the second and third floors to the existing 33 N. Genesee St. building.
The 62,000+ square foot addition includes a Welcome and One-Stop Center, Library, community meeting space, general education classrooms, labs, tutoring center, and other support services. It also allows expansions of existing programs including digital media, manufacturing, hospitality, horticulture, and entrepreneurship.

The total budget is $71,635 and will be used to purchase artwork from artists in a variety of media and themes. The College is interested in purchasing “mini-series” from multiple artists.