Art in Public Buildings: University of Wyoming Aquatic Center

The University of Wyoming will soon be opening its new Aquatic Center on campus in Laramie, WY. This project falls within the jurisdiction of the Art in Public Buildings Program, a percent-for-art initiative for qualifying projects in Wyoming. Artists are asked to submit examples of completed work and to demonstrate their interest and ability to complete a public art project. Submissions to the RFQ will be reviewed by committee and the selected finalists will be invited to submit a full proposal. This is a national call for qualifications only open to artists in the United States and its territories. Wyoming artists will be given preference.

About the Facility

The University of Wyoming Aquatics Center will greatly benefit the Cowboys and Cowgirls swimming and diving teams. The Aquatics Center will include a 50-meter pool with 10 lanes and a separate dive well with 3-meter and 5-meter platforms as well as 1-meter and 3-meter springboards.

There will be new locker rooms for the men's and women's teams. The Pokes can also swim the width of the pool, which is 25 yards and will have 20 lanes.

 The Aquatics Center, which will be located at the southeast corner at the intersection of North 22nd Street and East Willett Drive, will support the university's campus recreation program, including locker rooms.

The project will also help the coaching staff to recruit and develop future Cowboys and Cowgirls to make the program even more competitive.

Artwork

The selection committee has identified the following location for artwork which is a long feature wall leading to the pool from the main entrance. This wall is 43 feet long, 12 feet tall and in a hall 15’ wide.

The piece should engage well with the physical location in the building, the location in Wyoming, can be either two-dimensional or three-dimensional, and can be created in any material with the exclusion of water. 

Artists should consider the following themes when applying to this call: transparency, movement, light, human power, performance and athleticism, speed, and water/rivers as related to swimming. It is recommended that the artwork in the main hallway be a durable and touchable material due to high traffic. No actual water should be involved in the artwork due to maintenance concerns and Laramie’s hard water. 

Proposed artwork, design elements or finishes should not conflict with materials being used in the project. Finish boards will be provided to the selected finalists to inform their work. 
 

Project Budget

The total project budget for artwork, installation, and artist stipend is $90,000.00. 

Timeline

The selection committee will review the submissions to this RFQ in March 2026. Following review, select artists will be invited to submit a complete formal design proposal, including a budget, timeline, and renderings/drawings/maquettes of the proposed piece. Proposal packets and budgets for finalists must include additional lighting needs, signage, foundation or other structural support (if needed), design fees, material costs, labor for fabrication and installation, and all necessary costs involving planning, completion, delivery, and installation of the project. It is the responsibility of the artist to budget accordingly.

There will be modest financial compensation for final design proposals and in-person/online presentations. Any other travel is the responsibility of the individual artist. This meeting will take place in April/May 2026.

Construction is currently underway with scheduled occupancy in Fall 2026 with an artwork installation of January 2027. A specific timeline for fabrication and installation will be established upon selection of the finalist(s) and is subject to adjustment. 

The Committee
Artists’ submissions will be reviewed and final selections will be made by a committee appointed by the Wyoming Arts Council and the State of Wyoming. The committee for this project includes administrators, staff, artists, community members, architecture and construction project managers, and a Wyoming Arts Council board member.

Submissions to the RFQ are due March 2, 2026 and must be submitted via CaFÉ. Artists are asked to submit the required documents and images to demonstrate their interest and expertise. 

In reviewing submitted RFQ materials, the committee will consider the following:

• The quality of the artist’s portfolio or previous work samples submitted
• The artist’s cover letter and how well it addresses this particular project
• The artist’s experience working with the public art process and demonstrated ability to work with the project architect and facility managers
• The artist's connection to Wyoming

Selected finalists may be asked to provide 2-3 letters of recommendation regarding previous public art projects. 

• Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident and a minimum of 18 years of age and fulltime resident of the United States or its territories.
• Applicants must demonstrate previous experience and expertise through a supporting portfolio submission (resume and images of current or previous work).
• Applicants must be willing to meet project deadlines.
• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to work closely with and accept feedback from project managers, including architect and construction representatives.
• Applicants must be willing to travel for presentations if selected as a finalist.
• If selected for the project, applicants will sign a contract with the State of Wyoming.
• Final artwork becomes the property of the Wyoming State Museum. While artists retain copyright, the State of Wyoming will receive permission to use images of the artwork for state purposes such as publicity of Art in Public Buildings projects.