Request for Proposal

Artwork for Avera St. Luke’s Women’s Center 

Avera is in the process of remodeling the Women’s Center in Aberdeen, SD.  Avera is also looking to update its artwork catalog for future purchases.     

Mission and Vision

The development of the Avera St. Luke’s Women’s Center is in keeping with the mission of Avera Health:

“Avera is a health ministry rooted in the Gospel.  Our mission is to make a positive impact in the lives and health of persons and communities by providing quality services guided by Christian values.”

Scope of Building

The remodel will consist of new flooring, wall coverings, bathroom updates, public corridors as well as an addition of an Angel Suite.  Artwork in the patient rooms will be printed, by Avera, on acrylic panels.  Artwork in the corridors to be printed, by artist, and framed in a traditional style by Avera.    

Art Location

The intent of this RFP is to obtain photography that will be unique in its application not only in the public spaces, but also within each patient room.  The Avera Art Committee will have final rights on placement of all artwork.  Due to the location of the artwork being in patient care areas, Avera is only looking for photography as pieces will need to be cleanable.   

Artistic Theme

Avera is proud of its sponsorship by the Benedictine and Presentation Sisters.  These two organizations of religious women have a long history of ministry and service to the people of the Dakotas.  More information on their history and sponsorships can be found at www.Avera.org.  

*Please consider the initial request specifically for a Women’s Center, but please note, Avera will also be updating their current art catalog with any appropriate imagery.  

Submission of Proposal

Proposals must be submitted to Avera no later than Friday, March 31, 2023, no later than 12 NOON.  Submissions will not be accepted after this deadline unless post dated prior to March 31.  All proposals should include the following:

  • Brief information on the photographer.
  • Ability to make the April 28, 2023 deadline.
  • Budget for printed image, 20×30; please include the type of paper you are printing on.  Avera will coordinate all of the framing.  Shipping or delivery costs must be included in your submission price. 
  • Budget for the image file; Avera will coordinate all printing.  Eligible image files must meet the minimum requirement of 150DPI.  Images will require a ½” bleed around the perimeter as well.  Shipping or delivery costs must be included in your submission price.  
  • Physical submissions do not need to be any larger than 4×6, but they can be smaller as long as artist is comfortable with resolution and clarity.
  • All physical print submissions must be labeled and easily identifiable.  We will use your labeling as a way of ordering.
  • Submissions will become the property of Avera and will not be returned.

Submissions may be hand delivered or mailed to:

Avera Central Office
Attn: Angela Storm, Interior Designer
3900 W Avera Drive
Suite 101
Sioux Falls, SD 57108

*Electronic submissions will not be accepted for this call.

Site Visits and Questions

Questions, with respect to this RFP, should be directed to Angela Storm 605-322-7837 or via email at Angela.Storm@avera.org.  Should a site visit be required, it will be scheduled through Angela and only available for contracted artist(s).

Budget

Avera has established a budget for the photography at a not to exceed $300 per printed image or digital image file.  Budget is to include all delivery and shipping costs.  We look to purchase around 30 images initially; however, we will keep approved images in a catalog for future purchases. 

Selection Process

The selection committee consists of members of the Avera St. Luke’s staff, Administration, community members and architectural and design consultants to Avera as well as Art Therapy staff.  This committee will review the submitted proposals from each artist.  Based on the Art Committee Philosophy, the committee will make final selections and then enter into a contract with the selected artist to complete the project.

The art committee has indicated a few key words to focus on as well as the philosophy below:

Inviting
Spiritual
Tranquil
Inspiring
Water
No images of babies as not all families go home with their child

Avera Art Committee Philosophy Key Points:

    • Color is important and desirable, brighten up not muted.  No black and white images.
    • Look for images that provoke powerful words like growth, faith, hope and transformation.
    • Images that speak to spirituality.
    • Images that reflect our diversity.
    • Positive reaction to American Indian art and images.
    • Water, scenery, living trees and living plants.
    • Images of our normal daily lives (sporting events, harvest, planting, community events, etc).
    • People are comfortable with the familiar.
    • Avoid images of sunsets and roads leading to nowhere.
    • Avoid images that show weather extremes (too much snow and ice or too much dry and parched land).