FSU Legacy Hall Art in State Buildings Call to Artists

Through the state of Florida's Art in State Buildings program (ASB) Program, Florida State University (FSU) seeks proposals for existing or new 2D or 3D public art to be installed permanently inside the newly constructed College of Business Legacy Hall building, recently named the Herbert Wertheim Center for Business Excellence. 

Location: Florida State University, College of Business, 402 W. Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32301-1110

Budget: $100,000*

Submission Deadline: Feb. 27, 2026

Project Timeline: Anticipated artwork installation date is the end of 2026.

Project Overview: 

Legacy Hall has recently been renamed the Herbert Wertheim Center for Business Excellence and is the new home of the Florida State University's Herbert Wertheim College of Business. It officially opened its doors on January 6, 2026. The largest academic facility on campus with a building area of approximately 220,000 gross square feet, the Herbert Wertheim Center for Business Excellence stands as a testament to FSU’s commitment to advancing business education, research and innovation. The building has been intentionally designed to provide state-of-the-art classrooms, collaborative learning environments and dedicated spaces for faculty, students and industry partners to engage. With its modern architecture and advanced resources, the Herbert Wertheim Center for Business Excellence serves as a hub for academic excellence and a catalyst for cultivating the next generation of business leaders. 

Constructed with funding provided by the Florida Legislature and contribution for donors, the $160 million building is located just south of Florida State University’s Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, at the corner of West Gaines Street and MLK Boulevard, overlooking Burnette Park. Serving as the new Southeast gateway to the University, the building anchors the southeastern corner of campus.

Click here for an image of the Herbert Wertheim Center for Business Excellence's west entrance.

Building Design: 

The Herbert Wertheim Center for Business Excellence is conceived as a place where connection, collaboration, and community are woven directly into the architecture. Guided by the natural beauty of North Florida, the building’s design emphasizes a seamless relationship between indoors and outdoors, using daylight, views, and warm, nature-inspired materials to create an environment that feels both expansive and grounded. The central atrium acts as the building’s spine, drawing people together and encouraging movement, interaction, and a shared sense of purpose.

Echoing the traditional Jacobean architectural vernacular of FSU, the five-story building features a brick exterior that aligns with the historic character of campus. The interior’s wood paneling, textured finishes, organic colors, and carefully selected light fixtures reinforce the theme of bringing the natural world indoors. These elements soften the building’s scale and create a rhythm of spaces that shift from open, bustling commons to more intimate areas for reflection, study, and conversation.

Throughout the design, the emphasis is on creating an experience and celebrating the region’s landscape while supporting the dynamic energy of a modern business college. Transparency, natural materials, and interconnected spaces all work together to express the building’s core values: fostering community, inspiring collaboration, and honoring the distinctive environment of the Southeast region. 

See a video fly through rendering here.

Architects designed the interior with clean lines, high ceilings, and large windows to allow for an abundance of natural light. Interior finishes include warm wood, glass, painted metal, and a color scheme of black, dark and light grey, garnet, and white. 

Artwork Sites: 

Three potential interior artwork sites have been identified. They are listed in no particular order of preference. 

See detailed plans of all three sites here (two pages).

Eligible artists are invited to submit for any or all three of the artwork sites. 

• Site A: A large wall (16’ long x 9’ high) on the ground floor located immediately outside the auditorium, just off the main entrance point to the building and “Lower Commons.” See images and dimensions of Site A here.
• Site B: The ground-floor ramp area of the building flanked by low glass partitions with handrails. The space could accommodate two-dimensional artwork, including a directly applied mural, on one or all of the walls, or three-dimensional/low relief artwork that utilizes the walls. See images and dimensions of Site B here (two pages).
• Site C: A large wall (27’ long x 10’ high) on the first floor located immediately opposite a high traffic stairwell. See images and dimensions of Site C here.

Artwork Details: 

The Committee is interested in viewing examples of an artist’s previous work, with the intent of commissioning site-specific work for one or more of these sites. Artists interested in being considered for a commission should submit images of past work, similar to what they might create for this facility, along with a brief proposal describing a potential new work for the Herbert Wertheim Center for Business Excellence project along with estimated costs and timelines.

Themes for proposed artwork should reflect the Herbert Wertheim Center for Business Excellence’s role as the new Southeast gateway to the University and its purpose in strengthening connections between the academic community, the downtown Tallahassee business corridor, and the broader regional landscape. Artwork may explore concepts such as engagement, social impact, integrity, excellence, and community. Works might also draw inspiration from North Florida’s or the Southeast region’s natural environment or the building’s function as a hub for connection, collaboration, and learning. 

The Selection Committee is open to any style or subject matter that is appropriate for this public space and commensurate with its intended use as outlined in this call, but excludes video, projection, or any digital media that would require software, regular updates, or ongoing technical maintenance.

Any artist selected for commission will further refine and the concept, style, theme, and subject matter which must be suitable for a diverse public viewing audience.

Additional Considerations: 

Artwork must fit within the dimensions of the specified location and allow for easy accessibility around the piece.

Final installed artworks should not require either water or electricity.

All proposed artworks must be made of materials suitable for permanent installation and not require substantial, ongoing maintenance.

Artworks should be constructed to reasonably discourage theft and vandalism and must take into consideration the area surrounding the piece.

The artwork must be able to withstand touching by the unsupervised public and should have no sharp edges.

The proposed artwork is intended to be installed permanently and must meet all current applicable codes.

The artwork will be owned and maintained by Florida State University.

*Budget: 

The total budget available for this project is $100,000

Finalists will receive a $2,000 honorarium to create and submit a detailed, finalized proposal. The total amount for finalist honorariums will not exceed $10,000.

The remaining $90,000 will be divided among up to three selected artists, not necessarily evenly, whose proposals address any or all of the three identified artwork Sites. The allocation will include the design, engineering, materials, fabrication, transportation, delivery and installation of the selected artwork at the Site, and all other associated expenses including but not limited to: additional site preparation or modification, project documentation, any travel expenses, artist’s fees, subcontractor’s fees, unexpected expenses and any other associated costs. Installation will be supervised by FSU staff or project contractors. Signage recognizing the artist and the work will be provided.

Timeline: 

Dates are subject to change. Each individual Project’s timeline is dependent upon and may be influenced by factors that can arise during the selection, fabrication, or installation process which may include but are not limited to construction delays, availability and decisions of committee members, weather, and unforeseen circumstances.

Jan. 16, 2026 - Optional site visit (Email amanda@akt-artful.com for details)

Feb. 27, 2026 at 5:00pm EST - Call to Artists Deadline

March 31, 2026 - Notifications made to all applicants

May 29, 2026 at 5:00pm EST - Finalists Proposal Deadline

June 30, 2026 - Notifications are made to all finalists

Dec. 2026 - Artwork installation

Ideally, the proposed artwork is intended to be installed before Dec. 31, 2026. There is some flexibility with the installation timing but please create any proposals with a 2026 installation in mind.

Selection: 

FSU has established a Committee comprised of the Art in State Buildings administrator, the project director, the project manager, the project’s architectural firm, and representatives from FSU including visual art experts with experience in public art design, fabrication, and installation. The Committee will objectively review, discuss, and analyze submitted proposals and narrow the list of applicants to up to five Finalists. 

Finalists will be selected on merit, design, composition, originality, craftsmanship, thematic content, materials, safety, and compatibility with the use of the building and the specified locations. Experience, qualifications, and feasibility of budget and timeline will also be factored into the submission review process. Finalists will be invited to develop and submit a more detailed proposal for final consideration and selection.

Committee members shall be ineligible to submit their own artwork for consideration. Committee members must abide by section 112.3143, Florida Statutes, entitled “Voting Conflicts.”

The Committee reserves the right to reject any or all of the proposals and stop the selection process at any time.

FSU reserves the right to reject selected artwork if upon delivery it is not deemed representative of the appearance or fabrication indicated by the submitted images and/or materials.

If your proposal is selected, you may be asked to cooperate on revisions or alterations.

Following finalist notifications, FSU and the ASB administrator will work with the selected artist(s) on agreements, detailed and finalized budgets, and fabrication/installation timelines with an anticipated installation date slated for December 2026. 

About FSU: 

Located in Tallahassee, the capital of Florida, FSU stands as a leading public research institution since its establishment in 1851. Recognized for academic and artistic excellence, FSU offers a diverse array of undergraduate and graduate programs across disciplines, supported by cutting-edge facilities and distinguished faculty. The campus blends historic and modern architecture, creating an inspiring environment for a diverse student body. Beyond academics, FSU fosters a vibrant community through dynamic student life, Seminole athletics, and a commitment to service and inclusion. With a rich history and an eye toward the future, FSU prepares students for success and leadership in a global landscape.

About Florida's Art in State Buildings Program: 

Established in 1979, this program continues to highlight local, national, and internationally recognized artists in its growing collection of diverse art. An amount of up to one-half of one percent (0.5%), not exceeding $100,000 of the state funds appropriated for a new building is set aside for the acquisition of public art for that facility. Since the inception of the program, more than 1,000 works of art have been purchased or commissioned for Florida public spaces. You'll find them in nearly every Florida county, throughout state university and college campuses, and in locations such as state office buildings, Department of Transportation complexes, Department of Health facilities, and courthouses.

Required Application Information: 

• Artist Statement
• Current professional resume/CV, with emphasis on public art experience. To be considered, you must demonstrate that you meet at least two of the listed eligibility criteria.
• Brief description of background, training, and experience.
• Brief description of why your artwork is appropriate for the project, which of the three artwork Sites your work is proposed for, and how the submitted images relate to the project requirements.
• Itemized budget that does not exceed the maximum allowable allocation. You are welcome to propose an artwork, or multiple artworks, up to $90,000 (see Budget section). Multiple proposals may be selected from different artists to be installed in one or more of the three potential interior artwork sites.
• Estimated timeline and proposed installation date
• Maintenance guidelines for existing or proposed works

Additional information may be requested from applicants prior to or after the submission deadline.

Image Submissions: 

• up to 5 images of previous, successfully completed public artworks, along with descriptive information.
• up to 5 images/drawings of proposed artwork, along with descriptive information (images of a maquette of a proposed work are acceptable), including any renderings or plans needed to adequately explain the proposed artwork

Submission Tips: 

• Have your materials prepared before you begin your submission form.
• It may help to have the prospectus accessible in a separate window to refer back to.

Sole Point of Contact: 

The Art in State Buildings Administrator for this project is Amanda Karioth Thompson. If you have any questions about the prospectus, application, process, or project, please contact her at amanda@akt-artful.com.  

Respondents to this call or persons acting on their behalf shall not contact any Committee member, employee or officer of FSU, Board of Trustees, or a University Direct Support Organization concerning any aspect of this call, except in writing to the Sole Point of Contact as provided above. Violation of this provision may be grounds for rejecting a proposal response. 

The call is open to all professional 2D and 3D artists who are residents of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and all U.S. territories and working in any medium, excluding video, projection, or any digital media that would require software, regular updates, or ongoing technical maintenance.

Artists must meet at least two (2) of the following criteria to have their proposal presented to the Art Selection Committee.

• the artist has completed other public commissions on a similar scale
• the artist has received awards, grants or fellowships
• the artist's works are included in private, public, corporate or museum collections
• the artist has participated in exhibitions at major museums or galleries