The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA) assists Hawaiʻi state government sites with commissioning site-specific permanent works of art. The SFCA provides public funds through the SFCA Works of Art Special Fund and there is no cost to the site. Learn more about CWA in the SFCA Art in Public Places Collection on the SFCA website: sfca.hawaii.gov/art-in-public-places-program/art-in-public-places-program-commissioned-works-of-art.
The process, from initial request to final artwork installation, can take up to five years. Please note that Hawaiʻi state government sites are not required to work with the SFCA and can commission their own works of art at their own expense.
CWA are initiated by executive level leadership for a state government department or agency, such as a Department Director, State Librarian of the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System, or Department of Education District Superintendent.
Making a formal request
A formal request on letterhead or via email is sent by the executive level leadership to the SFCA Executive Director. This formal request should include:
- Location or locations in order of priority (for example, a list of public libraries, in order of priority by highest to lowest).
- Point of contact for the site. If requesting for more than one site, point of contact for each site.
- Description of the proposed site(s). For example, public elementary school in a rural Neighbor Island community.
- Business address for site(s).
An SFCA Art in Public Places Project Manager will follow up with each site for additional information. Following those conversations, the SFCA Art in Public Places Project Manager let the site know that it is time to form an Art Advisory Committee.
Printable PDF about getting a Commissioned Work of Art
How to Request a Commissioned Work of Art (CWA) PDF includes general information about the process, project phases, and contact information.
Image description
Black stainless steel with glass insets representing waves and the sun, lit from behind. Detail from “Mānaiakalani” at the Nānākuli Public Library (Oʻahu), stainless steel and glass sculpture by Scott Fitzel, 2022. Art in Public Places Collection of the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.