The NSU Sculpture Project
"Art is the signature of civilizations"
Beverly Sills
The NSU Sculpture Project will be an ongoing community outreach program of
Northern State University Art Department. The program will maintain year-round
installations of outstanding contemporary sculpture on the campus grounds. The
Sculpture Project will present work by regional, national, and international artists.
Visitors will attend the free exhibitions, lectures, and campus installations. Artist's
will also often work with NSU sculpture students, creating their works in the Art
Department studios. Student sculptures will also be exhibited in the annual show.
The inclusion of The Sculpture Project into the Northern State University
Landscape will add both interest and a sense of safety as the works will be
lighted at night serving to make the campus a more inviting place.
The arts enrich and provide substantial intellectual exploration for the
Northern State University curricula.
Northern State University Sculpture Project
Outdoor Exhibition
EXHIBITION GUIDELINES:
ELIGIBILITY:
The Sculpture Project juried outdoor exhibition is open to all artists 20 years
of age and older residing in the United States.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Outdoor sculptures must be eight feet or larger in at least one
dimension, and of construction and materials suitable for unattended public sites and extreme
weather conditions. The Sculpture Project reserves the right to reject works that are excessively
fragile, which present safety concerns, or that vary significantly from the slide entry.
ENTRY PROCEDURE:
1. Entry should be in digital format of up to three sculptures; three different views of each piece
may be submitted (maximum of 9 images). Label images with title of work, medium, dimensions,
your name, and date of work. Image files should be in JPEG format and no more than 200dpi.
2. Proposals for site-specific installations or other planned pieces for the Sculpture Project will
only be considered if they include slides of previous works in similar materials, along with
maquette(s), and/or detailed drawings/specifications of the proposed piece(s). The Sculpture
Project reserves the right to reject works that vary significantly from the slides proposal.
3. Complete Entry Form provided below or obtained by contacting NSU. Entry into the exhibition
constitutes agreement with all of the provisions stated in this prospectus.
4. Entry is free. The Northern State University Art Department is opposed to entry fees or other
charges that may exploit or limit access to artists.
5. Send entry material to: Sculpture Project, Northern State University Art Department, 1200 S
Jay St, S.D. 57401. All proposal materials become the property of The Sculpture Project and will
not be returned.
JURY: TBD, the Jury will consist of two NSU Art Faculty, two NSU Non-Art Faculty, two NSU
Students, and two Aberdeen community members.
COMPENSATION: Each selected artist will agree to a $1000 honorarium for the display of
their sculpture for a period not to exceed two years.
SALES:
The Sculpture Project will retain a 25% commission on sales of works displayed in
the exhibition. This will help offset the costs associated with the Sculpture Project.
INSTALLATION/DELIVERY:
Selected artists are responsible for timely delivery and installation of all outdoor sculpture. After
receiving notification of acceptance, the Project Director will make arrangements with you to
install your sculpture.
Sculpture installation will take place in late August through September 2006. Artists will be able
to pick up their work in July of 2008.
Although the Sculpture Project will provide some assistance, artists are primarily responsible for
materials and installation of outdoor works according to professional standards of safety,
weatherability, and permanence for up to two year exhibition. All reasonable care and security
measures will be taken with sculptures on campus; the University will not, however, assume
liability for loss or damage to outdoor pieces.
Sculptures must be securely attached to a 2'X2' base which will be secured to the designated
concrete pads.
MISSION:
The mission of the NSU Sculpture Project is threefold:
To present the highest quality contemporary sculpture to the Aberdeen community
To educate students and the public to important developments in today's sculpture.
To support established as well as emerging artists, with an emphasis on diversity and the
inclusion of under-represented groups. In order to support our Native American arts
population, one of the sculpture pads, will be designated to only display sculptures
created by artists belonging to a Native American tribe as designated by the appropriate
tribal governance.
EDUCATION
The education context of the Sculpture Project is a very important component of its mission. The
Aberdeen community, school groups, and visitors to the city may view the exhibitions and attend
informational lectures at no cost. Exposing the general public and students to ongoing
development in the arts promotes dialogue and understanding. Seeing the actual artworks, and
learning from the artists, is an essential part of this process. Outdoor sculptures are rotated
constantly as a "teaching collection." The Sculpture Project is a campus-wide resource of public
works of art. Programs, receptions, dedications, university classes, Wednesday Walks, and
educational tours are presented on a regular basis to enhance visual literacy and aesthetic
appreciation of this collection.
Wednesday Walks are perfect opportunities to learn about the public art that has become a
part of the Northern State University campus environment. Each 40-minute tour will begin at
NOON at the designated starting place. Pre-registration is not necessary and tours are FREE of
charge. Bring a friend or eat your lunch as you learn about the artists and artwork that make up
the University's Sculpture Program.
Moonlit Walks are perfect opportunities to learn about the public art that has become an
integral part of the Northern State University campus. Each tour will look at how the changing
environment affects public art. Tours will take place on or near full moons for optimal viewing
conditions. Pre-registration is not necessary and tours are FREE of charge.
COLLABORATION
Collaboration with other arts organizations statewide is an ongoing objective of the NSU
Sculpture Project.
QUALITY CONTEMPORARY SCULPTURE
The NSU Sculpture Project is committed to presenting the best contemporary sculpture available.
To insure the highest quality work, the Project calls on recognized professionals in the field to
select sculpture for the annual exhibition.
ART COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Supporting artists by providing a program and venue for exhibiting their work is another primary
mission of the Sculpture Project. The project varies its annual format to present work from highly
prominent national, as well as established regional and emerging local sculptors.
The NSU Campus offers a unique venue in Aberdeen for the exhibition of large-scale outdoor
sculpture.