Call Description

About the Facility

The Western Wyoming Community College Health Sciences Addition and Renovations project began in 2020 when a Level II Study was commissioned to determine the best path forward for Westerns’ Health Sciences curriculum. Utilizing the College’s successful Nursing program as a central focus of the project, technology is the cornerstone of the high-fidelity simulation labs that will enhance the quality of education Western offers its students.

Phlebotomy students also have dedicated space within the new facility. Designed for universal accessibility, students and faculty will enjoy a more cohesive feel as the space provides study and lab spaces in close proximity to relocated faculty offices. A new front entrance responds to the existing material and massing of the building, with the goal of creating a more prominent, highly visible western entry that provides protection from the strong west winds. A contemporary gabled mass that references the highly prominent existing gables throughout the main building providing daylight to the interior spaces, which were originally designed to reference the regional mine tipples.

Artwork

The selection committee has identified the following locations for artwork: the first is the exterior plaza as this location is visible from the facility parking lot. In addition to the exterior space, the committee has also selected a portion of the interior lobby wall and/or a piece to hang from the ceiling of the combined lobby/study area. 

The committee is specifically interested in procuring a work of art for any of the aforementioned spaces. Pieces should engage well with the physical location near/in the building, the location in Wyoming, and can be either two-dimensional or three-dimensional. 

Artists should consider the following themes when applying to this call: Community, healing, growth in a variety of aspects, dynamic, confluence, movement, collaboration, connection. Less traditional materials are all of interest to the committee, though they are open to all media for this project. 

Proposed artwork, design elements or finishes should not conflict with materials being used in the project. Finish boards will be provided to the selected finalists to inform their work.

Project Budget

The total project budget for artwork, installation, and artist stipend is $51,106.14. 

Timeline

The selection committee will review the submissions to this RFQ in August 2025. Following review, select artists will be invited to submit a complete formal design proposal, including a budget, timeline, and renderings/drawings/maquettes of the proposed piece. Proposal packets and budgets for finalists must include additional lighting needs, signage, foundation or other structural support (if needed), design fees, material costs, labor for fabrication and installation, and all necessary costs involving planning, completion, delivery, and installation of the project. It is the responsibility of the artist to budget accordingly.

If decided by the committee, in-person or video presentations may take place. There will be modest financial compensation for final design proposals and in-person presentations. Any other travel is the responsibility of the individual artist. This meeting will take place in mid/late September 2025.

Construction is currently underway at 30% completion with occupancy planned for fall 2026. A specific timeline for fabrication and installation will be established upon selection of the finalist(s). This timeline is subject to adjustment. 

The Committee
Artists’ submissions will be reviewed and final selections will be made by a committee appointed by the Wyoming Arts Council and the State of Wyoming. The committee for this project includes administrators, staff, artists, community members, architecture and construction project managers, and a Wyoming Arts Council board member.

Application Requirements

Submissions to the RFQ are due July 25, 2025 and must be submitted via CaFÉ. Artists are asked to submit the required documents and images to demonstrate their interest and expertise. 

In reviewing submitted RFQ materials, the committee will consider the following:

• The quality of the artist’s portfolio or previous work samples submitted
• The artist’s cover letter and how well it addresses this particular project
• The artist’s experience working with the public art process and demonstrated ability to work with the project architect and facility managers

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident and a minimum of 18 years of age and full-time resident of Wyoming.
• Applicant must demonstrate previous experience and expertise through a supporting portfolio submission (resume and images of current or previous work). 
• Applicant must be willing to meet project deadlines.
• Applicant must demonstrate an ability to work closely with and accept feedback from project managers, including architect and construction representatives.
• Applicant must be willing to travel for presentations if selected as a finalist.
• If selected for the project, applicant will sign a contract with the State of Wyoming. 
• Final artwork becomes the property of the Wyoming State Museum. While artists retain copyright, the State of Wyoming will receive permission to use images of the artwork for state purposes such as publicity of Art in Public Buildings projects.