INVITATIONAL Request for Qualifications
Memorial Hall – College of Business
Art Installation
Bemidji State University
MISSION OF BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERISTY
Bemidji State University (BSU) creates an innovative, interdisciplinary and highly
accessible learning environment committed to student success and a sustainable
future of our communities, state and planet. Through the transformative power of the
liberal arts, education in the professions, and robust engagement of our students, we
instill and promote service to others, preservation of the earth, and respect and
appreciation for the diverse peoples of our region and world.
Bemidji State University, located in northern Minnesota’s lake district, occupies a
beautiful campus along the shore of Lake Bemidji. The greater Bemidji area numbers
25,000 and serves as a regional commerce and health center. The University enrolls
approximately 5,000 students in its undergraduate and graduate programs
encompassing the liberal arts, interdisciplinary studies and applied fields. The
University is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System and
has a faculty and staff of nearly 600. University signature themes include
environmental stewardship, civic engagement and global/multicultural understanding.
For further information about the University, see our web site at
www.bemidjistate.edu
THE MEMORIAL HALL AND DECKER HALL RENOVATIONS
Memorial Hall renovation has accommodated the relocation of the College of
Business from Decker Hall (located in the residential area of campus) back into the
academic heart of the University. Newly renovated Memorial Hall has given the
business program the visibility and corporate image it needs to continue to growth.
Sanford Hall was demolished with Student Service functions moving to remodeled
Decker Hall. Decker hall has brought together student life and student support
services into a location, which is central to instructional facilities and the residential
halls.
BSU has allocated $50,000 for the selected artist for this project. This amount
includes travel and all installation costs. Support for this percent-for-art comes from
the building remodeling project of the Memorial and Decker Halls.
The newly completed building boasts the following highlights:
 62,000 square feet Memorial Hall Renovation and 18,000 square feet Decker
Hall Renovation.
 Brighter, well-lit design, with a more open architecture
 Technology-rich, active learning classrooms, community-learning spaces,
video conferencing capabilities and computer connectivity, which are all,
focused on student learning.
 The building has been designed to meet LEED certification using 20 percent less
energy and 40 percent less water than conventional buildings.
 Beautiful terrazzo and refurbished gymnasium wood flooring.
OBJECTIVES FOR ART: BSU MEMORIAL HALL AND DECKER HALL RENOVATIONS
BSU is currently seeking qualifications of an artist to create one exterior
permanent art installation:
Option 1: Exterior location
Photo 1
Photo 2
BSU is open to considering various creative approaches to this opportunity;
artists are invited to apply to this RFQ and suggest a direction they would take.
The selected project must be a high quality work of art which:
 Creates a strong spatial and visual impact outside the building.
 Enhances and connects to the building’s architecture and interior design.
The selected project must be a work of art that reflects the University’s mission and
purpose, including:
 Environmental stewardship
 Civic engagement
 Global/multicultural understanding
ARTIST COMPENSATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The project fees will cover all costs and expenses associated with designing,
creating, and installing the artwork and implementing the scope of services
identified in the section below. This includes permits and fees, materials,
electrical, delivery, installation, liability insurance, structural engineering,
maintenance planning, etc.
Up to two finalists will be selected. Finalists’ proposals will include a graphic
depiction of the proposed artwork, schedule (design, fabrication and installation),
installation method, and budget.
Finalists will be required to attend an onsite interview with the selection panel.
These interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of April 3, 2017.
SCOPE OF SERVICES
 Designing an artwork with a long-term life span that complies with all codes
and functional requirements, is constructed of durable materials and requires
little repair or maintenance.
 Developing final drawings, models, presentation materials and other visual
and written items.
 Presenting concepts and designs to committee during the on-site visit.
 Developing a maintenance plan for the artwork.
 Fabricating artwork and overseeing fabrication by others.
 Delivering and installing the artwork.
PROJECT TIMELINE
March 21, 2017@ 2:00 - RFQ materials due (not a postmark deadline).
Week of April 3, 2017 – Committee does on-campus interviews of finalists, selects
one artist.
April 21, 2017 – Contract with selected artist.
August 21, 2017 - Project completion
RFQ ELIGIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS
 Artist should have previous commission experience with budgets in
excess of $50,000.
 Artist should have previous experience working within architectural
constraints and limitations.
 Artist must reside in the United States.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF FINALISTS
 Previous experience of the artist.
 Quality of the submitted work samples.
 Approach to the project described in the introductory letter.
 Previous experience with percent-for-art process or other public art.
 Qualified BSU alumni are encouraged to apply.
 Artists residing in Minnesota are encouraged to apply.
RFQ SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
To be considered, please submit the following to this email address:
[email protected] -1. A brief letter introducing yourself and describing your approach to the
project.
2. Up to ten images with a one page summary description of your work. Zipped
files are recommended. Here is a site with useful information about how to zip
files: http://www.wikihow.com/Zip-Files-Together. You may also submit files as
PDFs.
3. Curriculum vita.
CONTACT
Karen Snorek
Vice President of fiancé and administration
Bemidji State University
1500 Birchmont Drive
Bemidji, MN 56601
[email protected] - 218.755.2012
Appendix A: Interior Photos of Memorial Hall. Understanding of colors
and textures.