RI Department of Health Laboratories- Call for Art From Rhode Island State Council on the Arts

How much: $2,500 honorarium for the 6-month artwork loan 

The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (“RISCA”), in conjunction with the RI State Health Laboratories (“RISHL ”) will exhibit

artwork in the building's gallery corridor, through the Allocation for Art for Public Facilities Act. Rhode Island’s Public Art Law mandates that 1% of all state capital construction and renovation funds be allocated to the acquisition of works of art to be placed in public places

constructed. Through this program, the State recognizes that “public art creates a more humane environment: one of distinction, enjoyment, and pride for all citizens.”

About the RI State Health Laboratories (RISHL)

The mission of the Division of State Laboratories is to provide quality analytical and technical laboratory services in support of state and national disease prevention and control, environmental health programs, and the criminal justice system. Rhode Island's State Health Laboratory provides an array of testing services that support the work of the Department of Health, Department of Environmental Management, Department of Transportation, Medical Examiner, and law enforcement. Centers and services include Environmental Sciences (drinking water, air quality, shellfish, dairy testing, rabies, wastewater, emerging contaminants, forever chemicals, etc.), Biological Sciences (diagnostic and characterization work for respiratory pathogens, sexually transmitted diseases, food-borne illnesses, arboviruses, etc.), Forensic Sciences (forensic DNA/CODIS, toxicology, forensic drug chemistry, alcohol breath analysis), and Clinical Toxicology (childhood blood lead screening, non-fatal overdose bio-surveillance, and chemical threats).

About the Facility

The laboratories at 150 Richmond St., in Providence, is a state-of-the-art custom-built facility, funded by the federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the State. The building was developed in Providence's Innovation District through a P3 partnership, and the RISHL is a condominium within the larger building.

Building location: Jewelry District (I-195 Redevelopment District) – 150 Richmond St. (on corner of Richmond and Clifford Streets), Providence.

Total gross square footage of laboratory (2.5 floors): 81,000 square feet. RISHL is a condo unit within the larger building.

Approximately 95 staff members will be housed there.

Visitors to the facility will be frequent for submission of samples, programmatic meetings, and external partner meetings.

Facility has achieved LEED gold certification which demonstrates a commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability.

 

The selection panel met in February of 2025 and determined that temporary rotating exhibits in the first floor "gallery corridor" were desired. As a result of this guidance, the corridor has been developed as a gallery space and includes a hanging system and dedicated lighting as well as hallway seating. This area is used by all within the RISHL as a main artery to other parts of the building as well as break space. This corridor is 60' long x approximately 7' wide, and has 6 available walls along its length, each wall approx. 5’ wide x 13’ high. The walls are visible at sidewalk level through the windows. The windows have UV protection and are impact resistant. Combined, these factors make the corridor an excellent site to display artwork.

View images of the gallery corridor and past exhibitions.
Exhibit by Amy Lovera
Exhibit by Erin Starr

In 2025, an inaugural season of exhibits for the 2025-26 season were planned. The panel members chose artists whose artwork celebrates the intersection of art, science, and innovation. The new selection panel for the 2026-27 season hopes to continue this momentum. Artwork could explore themes of nature, environment, science, innovation, discovery, health, and/or safety. For example, artwork could connect to the natural environment such as water, air and land, botany, biology, or aspects of health and safety, or wonder and discovery. Gallery artwork might help the public connect to the work of the SHL.


Timeline

This Call is open to artists residing in Rhode Island. You must be:

Selection Criteria

The panel will select artwork based on the artwork's appropriateness for the facility, artistic vibrancy, and fit for the available spaces.

RISCA is committed to the protection of artistic freedom in the creation and exhibition of art. The RISHL is a government building through which a broad range of people of all ages and ethnicities pass. We therefore ask that a great deal of discretion be exercised in the submission of works that contain nudity, or which touch on racial, ethnic, political, or religious issues. No weapons, weapon materials, or suggestions of any weapons may be featured in artwork. No profanity is allowed in artworks. This is not a private gallery, where the exhibition of any work would not be questioned. Artists are asked to exercise suitable discretion in the choice of works to submit. RISCA and RISHL reserve the right to refuse any work deemed inappropriate at their sole discretion.

Artwork must be able to be displayed on an Arakawa hanging system (https://arakawagrip.com/) and must not weigh more than 65 lbs. Artwork up to 5' wide (60") can be accommodated.

Instructions on how to create a free submission account for Artwork Archive. 

Questions? Molly Dickinson, Public Art and Cultural Facilities Director, RISCA.  [email protected].