Ohio Percent for Art/Cincinnati State - Main Building Renovation Artwork Commission RFQ

Description

Ohio Percent for Art/Cincinnati State Main Building Artwork Commission RFQ

Open To: Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana artists                                                                                                         
Commission Amount: $116,000
Entry Open Date: Monday, June 29, 2026
Entry Deadline: Friday, August 14, 2026

Project Summary: Cincinnati State (CS) is inviting Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana artists to submit up to nine (9) digital images of past work, an artist statement, and a cv/resume, for the Cincinnati State Main Building Percent for Art Project commission. From the submissions, a group of semi-finalists will be selected to visit the campus, meet with the committee (comprised of CS faculty and staff), and visit the artwork site location(s) to create a site-specific artwork proposal. CS employees and their spouses are not eligible to apply for this commission. Students enrolled in any degree or certificate-granting program are not eligible to apply.

Project Background and Building History:
Cincinnati State is currently executing a phased, multimillion-dollar renovation of its 74-year-old Main Building at the Clifton campus. The project includes a $3 million upgrade to the Advanced Manufacturing training wing and engineering labs, as well as a new Student Success Center and a reimagined, fully accessible "Main Street" entryway.  

Cincinnati State's Main Building, located at 3250 Central Parkway in the Clifton neighborhood, was originally constructed in the early 1950's to serve as Central High School. It later operated as Courter Technical High School before becoming the foundational home for Cincinnati State in 1969. As part of the renovation the lockers have been removed to say farewell to the "high school" feeling of the building. This allows for ample room for the inclusion of commissioned artwork.

Mission of School or Site:  Cincinnati State's Mission is to provide access, opportunity, and support in achieving success for individuals seeking exceptional technical, transfer, and experiential/cooperative education and workforce training.

Cincinnati State's Vision is to advance the educational and economic vitality of our state and region as the college of choice.
The Values of Cincinnati State:
Potential for Growth and Success – We respect each student’s background and celebrate their potential for personal growth and career success. Access – We foster a college environment where all individuals have access to the resources and support needed to succeed.Experiential Learning – we prioritize work-based learning through cooperative education, clinicals, internships, and other applied learning experiences that prepare students for great careers.Belonging – We strive to welcome and respect every individual.Collaboration – We work together on behalf of our students and employers to meet community needs.Innovation – We support innovative approaches to learning. We anticipate and effectively respond to the changing needs of those we serve.

Artistic Goals of the Commissioned Piece:
The primary objective is to create a large-scale public artwork that transforms selected hallway wall panels in Cincinnati State's Main Building into an engaging visual experience that reflects the College's mission and impact. The artwork should communicate themes of growth, discovery, transformation, opportunity, innovation, and career development while creating a more contemporary, vibrant, and forward-looking environment. The project should help visitors, students, employees, and community members better understand Cincinnati State as a place where people develop skills, discover opportunities, and launch successful careers.
Viewers of the commissioned work should feel inspired, optimistic, energized, and welcomed. The artwork should evoke a sense of possibility, progress, and momentum while reflecting the creativity and innovation that define Cincinnati State. The work should feel dynamic, engaging, contemporary, vibrant, fluid, inclusive, and forward-looking. The artwork should leave viewers with a sense that Cincinnati State is a place of transformation, hands-on learning, and opportunity.
Key concepts to be included in commissioned work are:
Growth, evolution, transformation, and forward movementStudent success, career development, and upward mobilityInnovation, technology, and future-focused thinkingHands-on experiential learning and the practical application of knowledge
Practical Considerations:
Artwork considered for the CS Main Building project must be durable and suitably maintenance-free, and withstand high-traffic environments.
Required and preferred design considerations include:
contemporary, visually engaging design with strong storytellingdynamic compositions and layered imagerypotential use of mixed media, texture, and fabricated elementsrepresentation of growth, transformation, innovation, and hands-on learningmeaningful and connected to Cincinnati State's mission and identityhuman-created, original artwork
Commissioned artwork should:
avoid overly abstracted artworkgeneric imagery that could belong anywhereavoid excessive use of Cincinnati State Greennot be purely decorativebe without need of excessive maintenance
An image of one of the artwork site locations is above. More will be shared with semi-finalists at the site visit. 
 
Selection Review Process:
Interested artists should complete the online form by visiting: https://ohiopercentforart-cinc...
In addition to the nine (9) images of past work uploaded, artists are requested to include an artist statement in the online form, and a current resume (max 4 pages) as a pdf attachment. The is a Request for Qualifications; proposals will not be considered. 
 
The Advisory Selection Committee will review submitted materials and will develop a list of semi-finalist artists that will be invited to meet with the committee for a site visit. After the site visit, the semi-finalists will create a site-specific proposal for artwork for the Cincinnati State Building project. Each semi-finalist will be offered a proposal fee in addition to an honorarium for their site visit.  Artist proposals will be judged competitively by the Committee.  Submitted proposals become the property of Cincinnati State.

Ohio Arts Council Staff:
Kathy Signorino, Artist Programs and Percent for Art Director
614-728-6140 or kathy.signorino@oac.ohio.gov
ArtCall.org Application Steps
Log into the system using your login credentials or create a login: https://ohiopercentforart-cinc...Update user profile with Artist Statement and if a CS Alumni, and personal website.Click the submit profile update.At the next page click the orange “Add New Application+” button. Please note: you do not have to create a portfolio.Select the category that matches your artwork.Create a title for your application (for example: Public Art Portfolio)Enter the image information for your nine (9) images.Agree to the terms by checking the box.Hit Submit.A new page will open, click the blue attachment button, where you can add your nine (9) images and upload your cv/resume (max 4 pages). After first image is uploaded just select the grey add additional image button to add your next image.Once you upload all your images, and cv/resume your application is complete.
Note: You may edit your entry until the deadline day.