University of Minnesota Crookston

Request for Proposals

New Art Piece at University of Minnesota Crookston

Dowell Hall Project

The University of Minnesota Crookston (U of M Crookston), part of the University of Minnesota System, serves and is located in the Northwest region of the state of Minnesota.  The University of Minnesota Crookston is seeking artist proposals for a two-aspect project: (1) a significant outdoor art piece to be placed near Dowell Hall, which is a major classroom building and (2) 15 to 20 wall hanging pieces to be installed in a number of the classrooms/ stairwell landings inside the hall.  Aspect 2 pieces should tell different stories but support one chosen theme.  Funding is available as a result of major remodeling occurring in Dowel Hall’s third floor science laboratories.

The art must first align and support both the University of Minnesota’s mission and the University of Minnesota Crookston’s campus mission and effectively communicate the University of Minnesota Crookston’s vision and values as well as its Land Acknowledgement Statement (see pages 1-2).  Second, the art should align with the general criteria of the U of M Crookston Art Committee (see bottom of page 2).  Finally, the art must align with the specific Dowell Hall project thematic direction (see page 3).

University of Minnesota Mission
The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that understanding enriches all people, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the region, state, the nation, and the world.

University of Minnesota Crookston Mission
The University of Minnesota Crookston delivers educational programs that build upon a broad academic foundation and combine theory, practice, and experimentation in a technologically rich environment. We prepare students for career success, advanced study, and engaged citizenship in a diverse world. We integrate teaching and learning, research and scholarly work, and outreach and engagement to serve the public good.

University of Minnesota Crookston Vision and Values

Vision
The University of Minnesota Crookston fulfills its modern land grant mission by ensuring we are passionate about learning and discovery to serve the public good.

We achieve this vision by:

• Creating and being leaders who are ethical and innovative, culturally and globally competent, and committed to engagement in their communities.
• Connecting all students – on campus and online – to each other, the campus, faculty, staff, alumni, and community.
• Conducting research and scholarly work that enhance learning, benefitting the region and beyond.
• Cultivating a spirit of U of M Crookston and Golden Eagle pride.

Values

• Student Success: Realizing individual potential through personal attention, mentorship, high-impact teaching and learning, and encouraging self-discovery
• Diversity: Embracing the richness and value of individual differences, ideas, cultures, and communities
• Leadership: Making a difference while serving others with integrity, honesty, fairness, and respect
• Community: Building relationships with each other and our neighbors for the benefit of all
• Innovation: Promoting discovery and problem solving through creative and critical thinking, research, and scholarly work
• Sustainability: Making choices that meet the environmental, economic, and societal needs of the present while safeguarding a vibrant future
• Continuous Improvement: Using evidence, data, and best practices to improve academic programs, student support and services, and business and operational processes

University of Minnesota Crookston Land Acknowledgement Statement
The University of Minnesota Crookston is situated on the lands of Native Nations and carries the legacy of their struggle for survival and identity. As part of our core value to embrace the richness and value of differences, ideas, cultures, and communities, we acknowledge these Native Nations to learn from their ways of knowing and being, and to work with them to create a more equitable and inclusive future for this region.

U of M Crookston Art Committee Criteria for Campus Art
U of M Crookston seeks art that (1) promotes the mission of the University with consideration given to engaging the greater community, (2) reflects the beauty and character of the Northwest Minnesota region and culture including reflecting the diversity of our region, (3) is of the highest possible quality, (4) commissions area, regional, and state artists, as much as possible, and (5) is attractive and understandable to the casual observer.

Dowell Hall Art Project Thematic Direction
The University of Minnesota Crookston currently brands “Small Campus Big Degree” and “I Am Crookston” to help communicate its mission, vision, and values.  We embrace the experience that a small campus offers, and Dowell Hall is an important classroom building for our small campus learning environment.  Unlike a large campus where specific subjects are taught in separate buildings, Dowell Hall is a major classroom building on our campus for most subjects we offer and represents not only the teaching of those diverse yet interconnected subjects, but also the mission, vision and values of the University.  Although we seek timeless art, we desire art that captures the importance of our small campus and the individual contributions of everyone who is part of the University of Minnesota campus and surrounding community (I am Crookston and Small Campus Big Degree).

We seek art pieces that are (1) representational—acknowledging and celebrating the diversity of our region; (2) informational—communicating our values, vision, and mission; (3) motivational—leading our community toward educational and service goals; and (4) institutional—representing “Golden Eagle Pride.”

Representational:  We seek to draw attention to celebrate and advance the acceptance of diversity on our campus, region and world.

Informational:  We seek to reinforce the specific core competencies (communication, working with others, and critical thinking) and developed skills of our students. We wish this art piece to be a teaching and reflective learning tool for prospective and enrolled students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members who discover and develop their individual roles and continually provide their diverse contributions in executing the mission, vision, and values of the University of Minnesota Crookston.

Motivational:  We seek to motivate students, faculty, and staff alike to pursue the limitless potential of human activity for the betterment of humanity.  We wish this art to serve as a reminder to us that our campus helps build a bridge to our community, world, and future.

Institutional:  We seek to allow everyone to realize that they are, through their actions, the Golden Eagle, the mascot of our campus.  Golden Eagle Pride represents the pursuit of excellence in all endeavors. The eagle also represents the native heritage of our region which we are keen to acknowledge and emphasize.

Project Location Information
Both aspects of the project will be created for Dowell Hall.  Location information for each aspect is provided below.  Artists should see the Proposal Contact Information section of this document (page 6) if additional details are desired for either aspect.

Project Aspect 1:  Significant Outdoor Art Piece Location
The outside project location includes the two grounds situated near the major southeast walkway into Dowell Hall and the blank exterior wall of Dowell Hall (identified with arrows in Figure 1).   The two ground locations could be considered individually or one ground location combined with the wall space could be considered. Dimensions of the ground locations are provided in Figure 2.

Figure 1:  Visual Location of Project Aspect 1:  Significant Outdoor Art Piece

Figure 2:  Dimensions of Ground Locations Available for Project Aspect 1

Project Aspect 2:  Location and Size Information for Inside Wall Hangings

Dowell Hall is a major classroom building, consisting of three floors.  Aspect 2 of the project calls for 15-20 art wall pieces to be placed in classrooms and on the walls of the 2nd and 3rd floor stairwells.  The pieces could vary in size, for example 8”x10” to 22”x28” (could also be square) all maintaining a consistent design tying the multiple pieces together.

Figure 3 provides a few examples of the spaces available for this aspect of the project.  See the Proposal Contact Information section of this document (page 6) if a fuller file of pictures is desired.

Figure 3:  Examples of Dowell Hall Classroom and Stairwell Wall Spaces

Project Budget

The artist’s bids for this project must be all inclusive meaning all costs for the project including research, design, materials, labor, site preparation and installation must be planned for by the artist and must be covered by the budgeted amount.   The art must also be the original work of the artist.

The total budget for this project is $45,000.  A suggested division of the funds is $25,000 for Aspect 1 and $20,000 for Aspect 2 although our priority between the aspects is Aspect 1.  Thus, consideration will also be given to proposals that modify this suggested division of funds.   Artists may bid on one (either) aspect only or on both aspects together.

Project Proposal Information

Proposal Contact and Submission Information

The project is being shepherded by the U of M Crookston Art Committee. Final approval of the project will be given by the Chancellor of the University.  Inquiries and arrangements to visit campus can be made by contacting Associate Professor George French at gfrench@umn.edu or 218-281-8266.  Proposal should be submitted to him as well.  Electronic submissions are preferred.

Project/Proposal Timeline and Submission Requirements

1. Proposals must be received by February 15, 2021. A brief resume of the artist’s art training and art work is required with 3 to 7 pictures of prior work.    Proposals must include sketches/photos along with narrative descriptions of the proposed piece(s). Electronic submissions are preferred.

2. Proposal evaluations, interviews and research will be conducted in March with the award being given approximately April 1.

3. All aspects of the installation of both the outside and inside projects should be completed by August 15, 2021. Arrangement for a completion date beyond August 15, 2021 may be considered.

Evaluation of Artist Proposals

Priority for choosing a proposal will be given according to the following:

• Proposal aligns with the mission and criteria statements described earlier in this document
• Artist’s relationship to our region and/or relationship to UMN Crookston and/or alumni status
• Prior projects and experience
• Beauty and quality of specific proposed piece(s)
• Ability to work with the project timeline and budget

Rights Reserved

As it pertains to this project, the University of Minnesota Crookston reserves the right to the following actions:

1. Reject any proposal submitted
2. Duplicate all materials submitted for purposes of RFP evaluation
3. Negotiate as to any aspect of the proposal with the awardee

Contact:

George French
Associate Professor
University of Minnesota, Crookston

gfrench@umn.edu

218-289-1283