Ohio Percent for Art/Ohio Department of Agriculture - Ohio Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

Open To: Ohio Artists                                                                                                           
Commission Amount: $43,000
Entry Open Date: Thursday, January 18, 2024
Entry Deadline: Friday, March 1, 2024

Project Summary: The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) is inviting Ohio artists to submit up to nine (9) digital images of past interior work and a resume/artist statement for the Ohio Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Percent for Art Project commission. From the submissions, a group of semi-finalists will be selected to meet with the committee and see renderings of the artwork site location to create a site-specific artwork proposal. ODA employees and their spouses are not eligible to apply for this commission. Students enrolled in any degree-granting program are not eligible to apply.

Project Background and Building History: The new Ohio Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, is a 70,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility that will include 40% more laboratory space and updated bio-security measures. The more energy-efficient building will also accommodate dozens of new staff members. The new facility will be much better equipped to rapidly and accurately detect emerging and foreign animal diseases that could threaten public health, food safety, and food security. 

Ohio Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory - The laboratory provides regulatory testing support for disease control programs and diagnostic laboratory services for veterinarians, livestock producers, and agribusiness within and beyond Ohio. It conducts more than 452,000 tests a year, which breaks down to 1,738 tests a day, 217 tests an hour. The new building also offers the chance to honor an Ohioan who contributed immensely to animal health and food safety and security. The OVDL will be housed in the Dr. Tony Forshey Animal Health Building. Dr. Forshey had a passion and commitment to agriculture and animal health and is well known in the agricultural community for his work and dedication. He served as the State Veterinarian from 2006 until his passing in 2021.

Mission of Division: 
The Ohio Department of Agriculture/Division of Animal Health is charged with protecting and promoting the health of Ohio's livestock and poultry industries. Responsibilities include livestock and poultry testing and inspection, licensing, controlling animal diseases in Ohio, and providing veterinary diagnostic laboratory services. 

Artistic Goals of the Commissioned Piece:
The location for the commissioned artwork is the interior lobby wall of the new Ohio Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (image above). The commissioned artwork should include color and dimension and should be aesthetically pleasing. Imagery could include Ohio agriculture, animals, science, and laboratory images. It should not include direct references to animal diseases. A connection between farm to laboratory is desired. The finished work should be inspirational, not too specific, and create an uplifting feeling in the viewer.

Practical Considerations:
Artwork considered for the Department of Agriculture project must be durable and suitably maintenance-free. The commissioned work may include kinetic, electrical or lighting elements if easily maintained.  Image of the artwork site location is above. Interior work can be applied directly to the wall (painted mural) or adhered to the wall.   

Selection Review Process:
Interested artists should complete the online form by visiting: https://ohiopercentforart-dept...

1. Hit the orange button that says "Add New Application+" 
2. Click your category that best describes your work
3. Create a title for your application, for example: Dept of Ag Portfolio
4. Add the dimensions of your largest work, a description of the materials you usually use in your work, the price of one of your works, and the date of your latest work.
5. Agree to the terms and hit submit entry details.
6. Once you hit your entry details you will find a page where you can add your nine jpg images and pdf of your artist statement/resume.
7. Once you have uploaded your images and your artist statement/resume you are done. There is no submit button.