Chattanooga, TN Art in Architecture Project

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Art in Architecture Program commissions American artists (citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents or Permanent Workers of the United States) to create publicly scaled and permanently installed artworks for Federal buildings nationwide.

GSA announces an opportunity for a Federal art commission in conjunction with the new construction of the Chattanooga U.S. Courthouse project in Chattanooga, Tennessee.   

GSA will design and construct a new federal courthouse to replace the outdated Joel W. Solomon Federal Building.  The courthouse, once complete, will consist of seven (7) courtrooms, nine (9) chambers, and forty (40) secured interior parking spaces.  The facility will also provide space for the District Clerk, Bankruptcy Clerk, U.S. Marshals Services, U.S. Probation Office, U.S. Attorney’s office, U.S. Trustees, Congressional Offices and more.  The new courthouse will meet the long-term needs of the courts providing separate circulation for the public, judges and prisoners thereby improving security and the efficiency of courts’ operations as well as accommodating the ten year space requirements of the courts and court related agencies and expandable to meet the thirty year housing needs. 

GSA allocates one-half of one percent (0.5%) of the estimated construction costs of new or modernized Federal facilities for art commissions.  The art budget for this project is estimated to be between $800,000 to $1,100,000.  One or more artists will be awarded a fixed-price contract for a commission.

Artists who wish to be considered for this GSA art commission must submit application materials to GSA by the SAM Contract Opportunity’s Response Date.  Artists may also elect to be considered for all future GSA art commissions by submitting application materials to GSA’s National Artist Registry (Registry).  Instructions on how to submit application materials and join the Registry are available on the following Web site:

https://www.gsa.gov/real-estate/design-and-construction/art-in-architecturefine-arts/art-in-architecture-program/art-in-architecture-national-artist-registry

All artists who wish to be considered as candidates for a commission at the U.S. Courthouse in Chattanooga, Tennessee, must have their application materials submitted and received by GSA by 5:00 PM Eastern Time on 30 days from posting.  Artists’ submissions received after the deadline will not be considered for this project but will be eligible for consideration on future GSA commissions alongside the other artists on the Registry.  Artists already on the Registry need not resubmit but may elect to update their information prior to the deadline. 

GSA evaluates artists based on the following criteria: the media, materials, content and style of the artist’s past work, along with the artist’s past performance and experience with commissions or projects similar to the one described in this synopsis.  Art is a vital part of cultural heritage, embodying the history, values, identity, and natural environment of a community.  It serves as a bridge between generations, preserving unique traditions and stories.  The artwork for the Chattanooga Courthouse should reflect the community it serves, capturing its people, its history, and its surroundings.  The art should also confirm the federal presence in the community and the court’s role in ensuring the rule of law.  The pieces should be figurative and allegorical, conveying deeper meaning through recognizable forms and symbolism.  The artist should also use materials and media that are familiar and meaningful to the local community, ensuring the work resonates with those who experience it.  

Shortlisted artists will be contacted and asked to submit additional information, including a statement that the artist can perform the work associated with the GSA commission within the identified budget.  GSA will count the combined weight of all the selection criteria as significantly more important than price. 

At minimum, the scope of services for this commission will require collaboration with the lead designer selected for the land port of entry project; travel to the project site; development and presentation of preliminary and final concepts; fabrication of the artwork; participation in meetings and conservation reviews as necessary; delivery and installation of the artwork; professional documentation of, and detailed maintenance planning for the artwork at the project site. For informational purposes: Artists selected for the contract award must be Permanent Residents or Citizens of the United States of America. Artists selected for the contract award will be required to have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) at the time of award. Instructions for creating an account and activating registration in SAM may be found at www.sam.gov. Artists selected for the contract award will be required to renew the registration in SAM on an annual basis for the duration of the project.

In accordance with Executive Order (EO) 13934, agencies should prioritize the commission of works of art that portray historically significant Americans or events of American historical significance or illustrate the ideals upon which our Nation was founded.