Utah artists are invited to submit letters of interest and qualifications for the creation of a site-specific exterior sculpture for the new 6th District Courthouse in Manti. Artists working in Juab, Millard, Piute, Sanpete, Sevier, and Wayne counties will be given special consideration.
The project is a partnership of the Utah Public Art Program of the Division of Arts and Museums, in association with the Division of Facilities Construction and Management and Utah’s Administrative Office of the Courts. The building, located on Manti’s historic Main Street, will offer modern amenities, improved security, and increased space not currently provided by the Sanpete County Courthouse.
The Manti Courthouse Art Selection Committee has identified an exterior location for art placement to the west of the new courthouse. There will be a public courtyard along Main Street, adjacent to the historic Bishop’s Storehouse. The committee aims for this space to be a community gathering space, with continuous public accessibility.
This courtyard space will be designed in harmony with the Classical entablature of the courthouse façade, and the incorporated sculpture should be complementary to the architecture. Artworks within this space should integrate into the design and enhance the traditional forms found in the surrounding area.
The committee plans to commission two small-to-medium sculptures or one large sculpture. The ideal artist should be working within the Classical Tradition and have an understanding of Manti’s significance within Utah’s history. Artists are encouraged to consider the history of oolite stone in local architecture and incorporate that into their proposal if chosen as a finalist.
The full description and how to apply is available at arts.utah.gov/public-art-opportunities. The deadline for receipt of material from interested artists is 11:59 p.m. MT on June 9, 2023. Applications may be submitted online at callforentry.org.
The Public Art Program was created by the Utah State Legislature in 1985 with the passage of the Percent-for-Art Act. This statute allows for 1 percent of construction costs for new or remodeled state facilities to be added to the project for the commissioning or acquisition of art that is site-specific to the facility and community.