Members Present: Richard Rudnicki – Chair, Jennisse Waters, Holley Woosley-Vennes, Josh DeWeese, Tony Waller, Jodi Allison-Bunnell, Kathryn Johnson, Keely Holmes, Grant Petersen, Melissa Ragain
Members Absent: Dean Adams, Caleb Fey
Staff: Robert Stockdale

ITEM No. 1 – APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes from the May 5, 2025, Public Art and Artifacts Committee meeting were unanimously approved.

ITEM No. 2 – RECOMMENDATION – Caring for Our Own Program (CO-OP) Rooms Art Selection Committee

Richard Rudnicki provided an overview of the RFP for artworks to be installed in the Caring for Our Own Program (CO-OP) rooms in each of the five new Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing buildings. Richard added that the deadline for artist proposals had been extended to October 2. Richard asked the committee for two volunteers to join the selection committee. Holley Woosley-Vennes and Keely Holmes volunteered to serve on the committee.

Tony Waller moved to approve Holley Woosley-Vennes and Keely Holmes to serve as the PAAC representatives on the Caring for Our Own Program (CO-OP) Rooms Public Art selection committee.

The motion passed unanimously.

ITEM No. 3 – RECOMMENDATION – Student Memorial Public Art Selection Committee

Robert Stockdale introduced the Student Memorial Public Art RFP, which seeks an interactive work by a student artist to be installed alongside the campus Student Memorial to commemorate students who have passed away during their time at MSU. Robert asked the committee for two volunteers to join the selection committee. Jodi Allison-Bunnell and Tony Waller volunteered to serve on the committee.

Jennisse Waters moved to approve Jodi Allison-Bunnell and Tony Waller as the PAAC representatives on the Student Memorial Public Art selection committee.

The motion passed unanimously.

ITEM No. 4 – DISCUSSION – PAAC Art Selection Process Review

Robert Stockdale presented an updated rubric for the PAAC art selection process. Robert explained that the changes to the rubric were made in response to requests for a more robust selection process that could better reflect qualitative judgments. Robert noted that this new rubric is intended to provide greater depth to the process of developing a shortlist of works that can then be discussed more thoroughly by the selection committee.

Melissa Ragain proposed that a category be added to the rubric to address the logistical appropriateness of the proposed artwork. Melissa stated that some materials may not be suited for outdoor use, so it would be helpful to consider that detail when reviewing proposals. Robert Stockdale mentioned that the RFP documents do include requirements for the proposed work to be made of suitable materials for the artwork’s final location and that it be constructed with proper methods to ensure longevity. Richard Rudnicki noted that there have been past concerns regarding the installation and maintenance of pieces. Jodi Allison-Bunnell offered as an example the discussion from the May 2025 PAAC meeting about the cleanability of the student tiles in Gianforte Hall. Richard asked Robert to add an item to the rubric for consideration of logistical concerns.

Melissa Ragain suggested that it may be helpful to provide the selection committees with access to photos or descriptions of the other works in the university’s public art collection so that proposals can be considered in relation to the collection as a whole. Robert Stockdale responded that Planning, Design, and Construction maintains a database of campus public art and that it can easily be shared with the selection committees. Richard Rudnicki recommended that a link to the MSU public art database be included as part of the SharePoint webpage used by the selection committees.
Tony Waller asked whether this updated rubric will be maintained as a living document that can be altered as time goes on. Richard Rudnicki answered that the document can certainly be revised as strengths and weaknesses are identified. Richard then proposed that this new rubric be used in the selection processes for the two RFPs that were discussed earlier in the meeting to determine whether the changes to the rubric have a positive effect.

Holley Woosley-Vennes moved to approve the use of the updated rubric for the CO-OP Rooms and Student Memorial art selection processes

The motion passed unanimously

ITEM No. 5 – OPEN DISCUSSION

Jodi Allison-Bunnell asked if there had been any updates from President Tessman about the new campus strategic plan and whether that plan may provide direction for PAAC. Richard Rudnicki replied that there has not been any comment from the President as to his vision for public art on campus but anticipated that as he becomes more familiar with the university’s operations there will be opportunities to receive feedback and direction from his office

Melissa Ragain explained that she is a finalist for a funding opportunity to commission a large-scale work of art, and that the funding source requires that the work be donated to a public institution. Melissa asked what the process would be for proposing the acquisition of the work by the university as either a full or partial donation. Richard Rudnicki answered that the donation would have to be conducted through the MSU Alumni Foundation. Richard added that the Alumni Foundation would work with Planning, Design and Construction to develop the donation proposal, including potential locations, before it is brought to the Public Art and Artifacts Committee.