NDSU seeks designs for artwork to be used as awards for April 2020 banquet.

The North Dakota State University Foundation is seeking proposals from local artists for an annual awards banquet, the NDSU Evening of Distinction. The proposal request is for artwork to be used as awards. The annual event celebrates donors of the University and recognizes alumni for their achievements. The artwork should be representative of North Dakota State University with an academic focus. The artwork will be used as the physical award that is presented to the honored alumna during the awards banquet.

The Awards Committee will review submitted proposals from artists. Based on the selected proposals, artists will be asked to submit a prototype of their award. The artist will be compensated $200 for their prototype submission in the 2nd round.

The NDSU Foundation is seeking proposals of artwork for the following awards:

Award – Type 1

Alumni Achievement Award

This award is presented to an individual who has achieved distinction in their professional field.

Henry L. Bolley Academic Achievement Award

This award honors an individual who has attained noted achievements in the area of education as teachers, researchers and/or administrators.

*These two awards can be represented by the same artwork. Only one submission needed from artist.

Award – Type 2

Partner in Excellence Award

This award recognizes a corporation, foundation or organization who has given significant support as well as demonstrated inspirational philanthropic giving to the university.

Design Parameters

• Award should be university focused and/or academic inspired
• Dimensions of award should be around (12” v, 10” h and 7” d)
• Artist must have ability to commit to a 5 to 10-year contract or allow NDSU Foundation theability to purchase and receive multiple awards
• Non-ceramic material is preferred for award (i.e. metal, glass etc) but ceramic artwork will beconsidered
• Award or base must have a place holder for the naming plaque (roughly 1”h x 4”w)

• Cost per award should not exceed $350

Timeline and Project Schedule

Round 1: Proposal and conceptual artwork (designs/drawings) submission is due April 17, 2020 Review of proposal submission by the NDSU Awards Committee by June 15, 2020
Round 2: Request to artist to produce prototype of award (stipend) by end of June.
Award Prototypes are due to the NDSU Foundation office by September 10, 2020
Review and selection of the artwork by the NDSU Awards Committee by October 2, 2020 Announcement of winning designs/artist(s) October 15, 2020
Awards must be completed and ready by March 1, 2021
Evening of Distinction Awards Banquet is held April 29, 2021

* Timeline is subject to change based on final design, artist availability, and project details.

Additional Information

Please include visual examples of artwork you have done in the past.

There is no guarantee that the NDSU Foundation and Alumni Association will utilize the services of any artist, artist representative, or team of artists responding to this request for qualifications.

A stipend of $200 will be issued to each artist to produce a refined viable design proposal (i.e. prototype) in the second round. The stipend will only be provided to finalists that agree to terms of a refined proposal set by NDSU Foundation’s Award Sub-Committee. The finalists will be chosen by the NDSU Foundation’s Award Sub-Committee solely based on the applications received by the deadline specified above.

How to Apply

Artists must submit their proposal and conceptual artwork by June 15, 2020 by email to nicole.holden@ndsufoundation.com
or by mailing to:

NDSU Foundation
Attn: Nicole Holden
1241 University Drive North Fargo, ND 58102

For Questions:

NICOLE HOLDEN, ’08
p: 701.231.6804 nicole.holden@ndsufoundation.com