President Jerome Gilbert and the School of Art & Design are soliciting five contemporary art pieces that represent the welcoming nature of Marshall University. Five Project Proposals will be identified at the end of Spring semester 2021, and the five selected artists will have until the Fall 2021 semester to finish the works. Final art pieces will be prominently displayed in one of five high-traffic areas on campus. Proposed art pieces should incorporate the theme, “Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging” or speak to the welcoming nature within the Marshall University community.
The Purpose of the Diversity, Equity, and Belonging Artist Competition, sponsored by the Office of the President and the School of Art and Design at Marshall University, provides an opportunity for current students and alumni to submit creative works relevant to cultural identity, socio-cultural topics, social justice issues, or other themes that promote unity and inclusion. The competition adheres to the Marshall University vision to inspire learning and creativity that ignites the mind, nurtures the spirit, and fulfills the promise of a better future.
Marshall University will own all rights to the winning artworks.
- A complete entry has two parts, the proposal and statement.
- The statement should address the inspiration, research, and concept behind the design: it should be no more than 150 words.
- Your design will be judged on:
- Its potential to improve race relations
- Design quality
- The extent to which it effectively expresses the theme
- Each selected winner will receive $250 for materials upfront and an additional $250 cash award once complete.
- The costs associated with framing two-dimensional works will be included.
- Eligibility – Entrants must be students or alumni of Marshall University.
- Winners will complete the project during the Summer and early Fall of 2021.
- The theme should reflect the theme of competition – Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging.
- Submissions – One entry per person/group.
- Submit online at www.marshall.edu/artistcompetition
- All Proposals are due online by April 23, 2021.
- Final Artwork must be ready for installation by October 1, 2021.
Entries must include the following: proposal, drawings, timeline, and materials list with prices. Marshall University will own all rights to the winning artworks.
Submit a formal, typed proposal including:
- Theme: Articulate how your theme relates to the main theme of “Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging”.
- What is the purpose of your submission?
- Which location would you be your first choice, second choice?
- A description of your image and style. What materials will you be using?
- Drawings, sketches, or models of the finished piece in color.
- What are the dimensions of your final piece?
- Include 3-5 photographs of sample works in a similar or related style to what you propose.
- Timeline showing how long you anticipate the task will take. All artists should plan to submit photos of the finished pieces by October 1st, 2021. This will help the facilities crew prepare and plan for an installation date for the finished pieces.
- A researched budget/materials list with prices and sources.
- Two weeks before the final submission deadline on April 9th at 1PM there will be a tour offered for the different locations. This will be an opportunity to ask questions about any of the spaces you may be considering creating a submission for. Please email bartolovicf@marshall.edu to register for the tour.
- Spaces/Locations:
- Proposals should be formatted to 8.5×11inches and submitted as a PDF. The entry file name should be Lastname_Firstinitial_AntiRacism_2021
- A horizontal format should be utilized. The maximum files size is 4 MB.
- Artists selected by May 14, 2021.
- The winners may be asked to respond to feedback from the committee and adapt their design.
- Winners will need to complete paperwork prior to receiving their awards and for receiving funds for material costs.
- Winners will be required to submit an updated statement about their finished work.
- President Gilbert will unveil winning pieces. Installation/Recognition of Work will happen in October and coincide with Homecoming and installation of Hal Greer sculpture on the southeast corner of 18th Street and 3rd Avenue.