State of Illinois
03/11/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/12/2026 15:29
2026.03.11 An Opportunity for Illinois Artists
The Illinois Arts Council wouldlike 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 Department of Transportation Coalfield Rest Areas in Waggoner, Illinois (Project # 630-397-005). The Committee is seeking exterior wall art to be installed on the large granite walls adjacent to the entrances at each rest area, four works total. Each available space is roughly 16' wide by 10' tall, but artists can utilize the space as they see fit. Artists are not limited to a particular medium or style. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
The Coalfield North and Southbound Rest Areas are located thirty miles south of Springfield, Illinois, on I-55 in the heart of Central Illinois' historic coal mining region. The project involves the construction of new rest area facilities and site amenities, including reconfiguration of site circulation, expanded parking, landscape elements, and historic cultural interpretative materials. In addition to the redevelopment of the physical site and its features, celebrating the coal country theme is central to the project. This theme is echoed in the rest areas' architectural design and supported by site features and informational displays.
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 budget is $82,000
Link to the RFQ Document:
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
State of Illinois published this content on March 11, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 12, 2026 at 21:29 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]