The School of Art Blog \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \
Montana State University announces an opportunity for a public art commission in conjunction with the MSU Veteran Support Center.
The Veteran Support Center on the campus of Montana State University in Bozeman helps veterans transition from military life to higher education. Located in the Strand Union Building, the Center provides veterans with a space to connect with other veterans, study, relax, receive academic and personal support and learn about opportunities for veterans at MSU and throughout the Bozeman community.
In recognition of the success of the Center; its contribution to veterans at Montana State University and in celebration of its first anniversary, MSU will commission a public work of art to be permanently exhibited at the Center. The commissioned work should make a timeless, humanistic statement on behalf of and in support of all veterans of this and future generations
The dimensions of the wall where the selected work will be displayed are 18 feet with a height restriction of 7.5 feet. All mediums of expression will be considered although the work should not extend more than nine inches from the wall. The piece can be the work of a sole author with a singular voice or a collaboration that offers multiple voices.
A panel composed of art experts, veterans, and university administrators will review and score all eligible portfolios based on the following criteria:
- Appropriate Materials: Evidence of the artist’s ability to create artwork utilizing durable materials that are appropriate for a public space;
- Site Responsiveness: Evidence of the artist’s ability to create artwork that addresses the physical and/or community context of its placement;
- Artistic Excellence: Evidence of some or all of the following: mastery of skills and techniques, professional approaches to process and presentation, and/or communication of unique vision or perspective.
Further, the scope of services for this commission will require “collaboration with the lead artist selected for the veterans art project, development of preliminary and final concepts, fabrication of the artwork, participation in meetings and conservation reviews as necessary and the installation of the artwork at the project site.”
The budget for the art project is currently estimated to be $3,000. One or more artists will be awarded a fixed-price contract for the commission of this artwork.
Artists who wish to be considered for this commission must submit application materials, including a project proposal, a portfolio of 20 images of the artist’s work, a resume and a signed copy of the Public Art Procedures document (available at www.msuschoolofart.com). Please send your proposal in PDF form to: art@montana.edu; or by mail to: Veterans Art Project, The School of Art, 213 Haynes Hall, Montana State University, Bozeman MT 59717.
Submissions must be received no later than 11:59 pm on February 15, 2013. Any submissions received after the deadline will not be considered. For questions or more information, please contact Nancy Cornwell, Dean, College of Arts & Architecture at 406-994-6654 or Brenda York, Director, Disability, Re-entry, & Veteran Services at 406-994-2824.
Thank you for your interest in this exciting project.
