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The Illinois Arts Council would like to share an important art commission opportunity in partnership with the Capital Development Board's Art-in-Architecture Program(CDB/AIA).
CDB/AIA is now accepting Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) from Illinois professional artists to create permanent original public art for the Illinois State University (ISU) Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts Complexin Normal, Illinois. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
The Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts Building Transformation Project will strengthen the Fine Arts presence on ISU's campus and beyond. The Complex includes the Wonsook Kim School of Art; School of Music; School of Theatre, Dance, and Film; School of Creative Technologies; and Center for the Performing Arts. The Transformation Project consists of three complete additions and several areas of renovations and improvements to the Complex.
The Committee is seeking an exterior artwork situated within ISU's Fell Arboretum.
Artists have approximately 1,045 square feet of space to utilize as they see fit and should draw inspiration from the cultural, historical, and environmental contexts of ISU, the Fine Arts Complex, and the Fell Arboretum. This public art commission is open to all professional artists, artisans, or artist-led teams residing and working in the State of Illinois.
About the Illinois Art-In-Architecture Program
The Illinois Art-in-Architecture Program promotes and preserves Illinois art and enriches communities by commissioning original artwork for public buildings constructed with state funds.
The enabling legislation for the program requires that the Capital Development Board "shall set aside 1/2 of 1 percent of the amount authorized and appropriated for construction or reconstruction of each public building financed in whole or in part by state funds and generally accessible to and used by the public for the purchase and placement of suitable works of art in such public buildings." A committee including art professionals and the project architect oversees each project and selects the artwork.
Since its inception in 1977, the Art-in-Architecture Program has purchased or commissioned works of art by Illinois artists for public display throughout Illinois.
Selection Process
The Fine Arts Review Committee will review the portfolios of eligible applicants. At least three artists/teams will be selected as semi-finalists and paid a fee of $3,000 each to develop and present a site-specific design proposal. After the presentations, the Committee will select a winning artist/team for the commission. Correspondence will be sent to the semi-finalists
The project budgetis $195,000
Link to the RFQ Document:
https://cdb.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/cdb/professionalgrowth/art/documents/rfq/isu-arts-complex-rfq-2026.pdf
Application materials must be delivered by email to: [email protected]
The Art-in-Architecture Procedure Manual, commission opportunities, and other information are posted at:
https://cdb.illinois.gov/professionalgrowth/art/commissionopportunities.html
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