RISCA Call For Artists: RI DMV Safety & Emissions Facility From Rhode Island State Council on the Arts

Applications close in 3 days

  • Type: Public Art & Proposals
  • Geography: State
  • Submission Deadline: November 21, 2025 @ 11:59PM (America - New York)
  • Submission limit: 6 pieces
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Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) 

Call for Artists (Request for Qualifications) for the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (RI DMV) Safety & Emissions Facility

Budget for acquisition of artwork: $19,000 

Application deadline: Nov. 17, 2025, at 11:59PM (EST)

Eligibility: Rhode Island residents only


Introduction

Artwork for the RI DMV Safety and Emissions Facility will be commissioned by RISCA and RI DMV through Rhode Island’s Public Art Law, which 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 DMV 

Our mission is to serve the public by upholding all Rhode Island Motor Vehicle Safety and Emission Control Laws and Regulations with consistency and fairness. We work to protect public safety, safeguard health, and maintain order on our roads. We are equally committed to helping customers understand and meet these requirements. We strive to make compliance a positive and straightforward experience by providing clear info, efficient processes, and courteous service.


About the DMV Safety & Emissions Facility

The new Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles Safety and Emissions Facility, being built in Cranston, will serve as the central site for all state vehicle safety and emissions inspections. The facility will conduct biannual inspections of approximately 1,500 school buses, as well as limousines, taxis, and non-emergency medical transport vehicles. It also will perform public challenge inspections when safety concerns are reported. Staff at this location will play a vital role in protecting public safety, maintaining health standards, and ensuring compliance with Rhode Island Motor Vehicle Safety and Emission Control Laws.

The new facility replaces the former DMV inspection station in Providence, which was severely damaged by flooding in 2022. The modernized building will reunite staff, provide a safer and more functional work environment, and better reflect the pride employees take in their service to Rhode Islanders. The waiting area will welcome a steady flow of visitors from across the state, representing a diverse cross-section of the community. Substantial completion of the building is expected in early September 2026, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony planned for October 2026.


About this Call

Members of the selection panel met onsite to review plans for the new DMV Safety and Emissions Facility in Cranston.  The new building, purpose-built for DMV,  to provide a safer, more efficient workspace for staff and a welcoming environment for the public.

The panel prioritized the interior for placement of artwork, with the primary focus on the public waiting room.  There is an option to include the restroom’s foyer and conference room. Due to the facility’s layout selected pieces will be wall-hung or mural-based installations that can be removed or relocated if necessary. All artwork should be durable, low-maintenance, and appropriate for a high-traffic public setting.

The panel noted that artwork could help create a welcoming and uplifting atmosphere for both employees and visitors. Artists are encouraged to draw inspiration from the facility’s commitment to safety, fairness, and service to the Rhode Island community.

The panel established the following:
  • Artwork is desired for the interior only. 
  • Artwork must be removable.
  • The primary location for artwork will be the waiting room with the option to include additional pieces in the restrooms or conference room.
  • Murals and wall-hung low-relief sculptures are preferred.
Additionally, panelists noted: 
  • There is enthusiasm for a range of proposals, and it was suggested that the call remain open-ended to see what ideas emerge.
  • A theme may be developed for finalists to consider, guided by the facility’s mission statement and staff input.
  • Currently all themes, styles, and mediums are welcomed. 

ESTIMATED TIMELINE:

Oct. 15, 2025: Application opens.
Nov. 17, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (E.S.T.): Deadline for submissions
Dec. 2025: Panel meeting for review and selection of semifinalists.
Winter 2026: Finalist site visits.
Winter 2026: Finalist presentations to selection panel; work selected.
March 2026: Final approval by RISCA’s Council and DMV.
TBD with artist: Contract signed. Work fabricated, installed, and completed.

Eligibility Criteria:


This Call is open to artists residing in Rhode Island.

You must be:
  • 18 years of age or older.
  • Domiciled in Rhode Island for at least one year at the time of application. This means Rhode Island is your primary residence and is the address you use for legal forms, state income taxes, car registration, driver’s license or state issued identification, and voter registration - regardless of whether you own or rent your home. You must reside in the state for at least 183 days per year.
  • A legal resident of the United States with a tax identification number (either Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number). This includes refugees, immigrants, and temporary residents. 
  • Undergraduate students are not eligible.
  • The panel will not discriminate against any applicant artist based on age, race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, or physical challenges. 
  • Emerging artists, Black, Indigenous, People of Color, women, gender nonconforming persons, LGBTQIA+ community members, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Artists living in Rhode Island are encouraged to apply.
  • Excluded from participation are RI DMV and RISCA Council members, staff, and their family members as well as Public Art Selection Panel members and their families.

Selection Criteria

The panel will select the artist/s based on the following criteria:
  • Appropriateness of artwork for this facility.
  • Artistic vibrancy. 
  • Safety, durability, and value of the materials and work for this public facility. It is the artist’s responsibility to ensure that artwork meets safety standards, adheres to building codes, ADA requirements and other state regulations. Artworks must require minimal maintenance.
  • Collaborative spirit. Willingness of the artist(s) to consult with facility staff, design team, and RISCA staff to assure smooth integration of the artwork into the site.
  • Artist and/or artist team who demonstrates the ability to manage and complete a commission 

Application Requirements:


Please note: This Call for Artists is the first step in the RISCA public art selection process. It is not considered best practice for an agency to ask an artist to craft a proposal without financial compensation. Therefore, RISCA will conduct the Public Art application process online, with all materials submitted in digital format through the Artwork Archive website (www.artworkarchive.com). There is no charge to apply.


At this preliminary selection stage, we request submissions from artists or artist teams consisting of six (6) images representing work completed within the past ten (10) years, a brief, one-paragraph statement of interest or bio. No slides or hard copy materials will be accepted for this call. First time Artwork Archive applicants must allow enough time to prepare their Artwork Archive formatted digital images and electronic submission prior to the deadline.


Three finalists will be selected from the pool of applicants. Finalists will be invited to a site visit and to craft a detailed proposal including an itemized budget, scale models and/or renderings, and an in-depth project description. For this they will each be paid a stipend of $750. Finalists will provide a valid W9 for this payment. This stipend includes all travel expenses for both the site visit and the subsequent presentation meeting. Finalists will not be reimbursed separately for any travel costs.


Intent of this Call and Scope of Work


Finalist’s site-specific proposals should convey the artist’s or the team’s ideas and plans through designs, renderings and/or scale models with a statement that describes the project's intent, proposed materials, fabrication and installation methods, and an itemized budget including 10% contingency fee. Finalists will also be asked to explain how their artwork will be sourced and fabricated. The finalists will be supplied with plans, photographs, and specific information about the facility. A site visit and review of architectural plans will be scheduled for finalists. The proposals will remain the property of the artist; RISCA, however, reserves the right to retain proposals for up to one year for display purposes and the right to reproduce final proposals for documentation and public information.

The budget is all-inclusive, including but not limited to all materials, fabrication, engineering fees, artists fees, travel, insurance, permits, installation, lighting, wiring, support, bases, etc. 

*In Step 4, when adding artwork, the following fields must be filled out:
  • Title
  • Medium
  • Type of art
  • Creation date
  • Dimensions
  • Price of Artwork
REQUIREMENTS:

IMAGES: Minimum: 6, Maximum: 6
TOTAL MEDIA:  Minimum: 6, Maximum: 6

Note: Once you hit "Submit", your application cannot be edited or resubmitted.

Rules and Terms:


The Public Art Selection Panel reserves the right to determine which proposal will be funded and the extent of funding. The panel also reserves the right not to accept any proposal submitted. If the recommendations of the Public Art Selection Panel are approved by the RISCA and RI DMV, the selected artist(s) will enter into a contract with RISCA and RI DMV for the commission. Artwork must comply with all building code requirements including ADA. The commissioned artwork will be owned by the State of Rhode Island.


Questions? If you have questions or need assistance with your application: contact Elizabeth “Lizzy” Jweinat at [email protected] . 

Rhode Island State Council on the Arts