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SUNY Oswego Outdoor Sculpture Initiative

SUNY Oswego Outdoor Sculpture Initiative

2025-2028

SUNY Oswego seeks proposals for outdoor sculpture for the school’s main campus. Two artists will be chosen to install artworks in a centrally located lawn area adjacent to SUNY Oswego’s Campus Center.  Selected works will be on view for a three-year exhibition and become part of SUNY Oswego’s campus.  SUNY Oswego has a student body of  8,000 students on a 690 acre campus.  It is situated on the shores of Lake Ontario adjacent to the City of Oswego, population 18,000.  Application and proposal details are as follows:

Application Deadline:  
Applications are due April 15, 2025, 11:59PM EST.  Late proposals will not be accepted.  Anticipated announcement of accepted artworks - May 15, 2025.

Eligibility: 
All artists, 18 years of age, are welcome to apply.

Submission guidelines:
Proposals can be for existing or new work.    Each artist may submit up to two proposals; however, only one proposal from an artist can be accepted.  

Each proposal must include a project description outlining dimensions, weight, title, medium, date of completion, budget, a statement of conceptual intent, and a statement outlining a project’s durability, security, and safety considerations.

Each proposal should include up to three images of a completed work or concept sketches/models of a new work to be constructed.  SUNY Oswego reserves the right to refuse any delivered work that is not completed as proposed.

All proposals should include a cover letter outlining the artist’s contact information (name, address, email, phone).  

All application materials should be submitted via the Google Form.  
Questions should be addressed to Benjamin Entner at [email protected].  

Design Considerations:
The site of installation is a highly trafficked pedestrian area of the SUNY Oswego main campus.  It is totally open to the elements and SUNY Oswego can be prone to very harsh winter weather conditions including high winds.  Each sculpture will be sited on its own round 8’ diameter concrete pad.    Installation pads will have no access to independent electricity, lighting, etc.  Accepted sculptures must be designed to be securely bolted to this pad. It is suggested that wedge anchors of at least ½” thickness be used.  

Each proposal must include statements regarding how the sculpture will be secured, the durability of the sculpture, and how it will not negatively impact public egress or safety.  

Please note for the duration of exhibition (excluding travel to and from Oswego) all works will be insured and indemnified by SUNY Oswego.

Selection Criteria:  
1.  Submittal of all required application materials as outlined in the RFP;
2.  Attention to context: architectural, historical, geographical, and cultural;
3.  Originality: creativity and uniqueness of proposed artwork concept for this project;
4.  Maintainability: structural and surface soundness, durability and resistance to vandalism, weathering, excessive maintenance, repair costs;
5.  Appropriateness for placement on a campus pedestrian site;
6.  Feasibility: artist's proven track record/ability to complete the work on time and within the budget.

Selection Committee:
The selection committee will be made up of professionals from the SUNY Oswego community.

Budget:  
Each artist will be awarded a one-time stipend of $2,000.  This stipend is to cover the cost of all materials, transportation, installation, de-installation, and artist fees.  Payment will be made upon the successful installation of the proposed sculpture.  Artists are required to submit a basic budget to determine the proposal’s feasibility.  If the budget is greater than the $2000 stipend, it is the artist’s responsibility to provide additional funding.  Artists will receive the full $2000, regardless, of actual expenses, more or less, of the proposal.

Location:  
SUNY Oswego, sculpture lawn, adjacent to southwest entrance to Marano Campus Center.

Application Checklist:  
Applicants should submit ONE pdf that contains the following:

Cover Letter including contact information
Proposal(s) with basic budget(s)
Image Slide List
Statement of Durability, Security, and Safety
Artist Statement
Artist’s Resume

Additionally, each applicant should submit HIGH QUALITY images that support their proposal.  Images should be in jpeg format labelled: Last Name_Title of Artwork_Image Number.  

Application Submission Form Link:
https://forms.gle/dPvV1C6MVovPHkfN9
 

Contact:
Please direct all questions via email to Benjamin Entner at [email protected].

Timeline:
April 15, 2025  -  Deadline for receipt of application materials
May 15, 2025  -  Anticipated date of notification of accepted artists
July 13 - 20, 2025  -  Installation of sculptures
August 2025 - June 2028  -  Duration of exhibition
June 2028  -  De-installation of sculpture

Accepted Artists’ Responsibilities:
Provide 150 – 300 word artist’s statement and digital image for print/online brochure and publicity. (June 1, 2025)
Return signed loan agreement (contract) (June 1, 2025)
Deliver and install sculpture (July 13 – 20, 2025)
De-installation and removal of  sculpture (June  2028)