Illinois artists sought to create original art pieces for new facility at Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy

QUINCY — The Illinois Arts Council Agency has partnered with the Capital Development Board’s Art-in-Architecture Program in promoting an opportunity for Illinois artists.

CDB is now accepting Request for Qualifications to Illinois artists to create five permanent original public art pieces for the long-term care facility at the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy. 

This public art commission is open to all artists, artisans or artist-led teams who live and work in Illinois. The deadline to apply is April 26.

In a press release, Laura Sievert, Arts Quincy executive director, said, “This is an exciting opportunity for West Central Illinois artists to have their sculptures beautify these new areas on the campus of the Illinois Veterans Home. We are so pleased to see the state investing a percentage of construction costs in public art right here in Quincy. Installations like this add immense aesthetic value, help artists earn income and can transform public spaces to build connection between people.

“Arts Quincy encourages all local businesses to consider installing public art whenever they are undertaking new construction. As your local arts council, we are happy to collaborate to make that happen. As we’ve seen with the celebration of education sculpture series, along with many mural installations throughout the city, these pieces become iconic, draw residents and visitors and make Quincy a more vibrant place.”

The selection committee would like to involve as many veterans as possible in all aspects of these artwork projects — as artists, on art teams, artisans, subcontractors, fabricators and through any trade work that may be required.

The five locations are the north courtyard, main entrance, south courtyard, chapel garden and terrace. These outdoor locations are intended for residents and visitors to enjoy the space in a safe, nurturing environment.

Of each proposal, at least three artists/teams will be selected from the pool of eligible artists/teams and paid to develop and present a specific site proposal.

To learn more about the project including detailed descriptions of each location and request along with renderings of the outdoor space, or to apply, visit https://cdb.illinois.gov/…/quincy-veterans-home-rfq.pdf to download the project summary.

The Quincy Veterans Home is undergoing a $230 million construction enhancement project to upgrade and replace many of its aging buildings and provide upgraded amenities to its residents. It is the largest and oldest veterans’ home in Illinois. It provides high-quality skilled care to 300 Illinois veterans and their spouses.

This project will add a new 261,000-square-foot residential long-term care facility and a 74,000-square-foot independent living building. The project also includes upgrades to existing buildings, infrastructure, utilities, hardscaping, and landscaping to support the new facilities.

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 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.

Contact the Art-in-Architecture Program at CDB.ArtinArchitecture@illinois.gov for more information.