Public Art: Call for Entries

An Outdoor Art Project “We Are” Sculpture The Pennsylvania State University

PURPOSE

Penn State’s 2013 Senior Class voted to commission a “We Are” sculpture on campus as its gift to the University.

The sculpture will represent the University’s iconic theme, "We Are." The words of the Penn State Alma Mater in the original handwriting of Fred Lewis Pattee will be incorporated into the piece. The words to the alma mater were written in April 1901 by Pattee, professor of American literature, and embody Penn State pride.

The inscription on the sculpture will serve as a visual representation of what it truly means to be a Penn Stater, according to Morgan Delaware, overall chair of the Senior Class Gift Committee.

"Class gifts go well beyond providing a tangible symbol of the loyalty and pride of a class; the class gift connects your class to every Penn State class before you," said Penn State President Rodney Erickson. "A 'We Are' sculpture enhanced with the words of the Penn State Alma Mater combines two of Penn State’s most cherished expressions of who we are ... It will certainly become a 'must see' landmark on campus."

The tradition of class gifts began when the class of 1861, at its reunion in 1890, gave the University a portrait of Penn State’s first president, Evan Pugh, which still hangs in the lobby of Old Main.

ELIGIBILITY

This competition is open to all interested artists. Each artist may submit only one entry.

SITE

A national competition is being held for the commission of a sculpture adjacent to the east side of the Intramural Building on Penn State’s University Park Campus. This highly visible site is centrally located on the corner of Curtin Road and University Drive. This location is recognized as a primary gateway to campus from the east. Student tours begin and end from this location.

Construction of a new addition on the front of the Intramural Building will include a two story fitness center. This site is across the street from the Shields Building which includes Undergraduate Admissions, Bursar, Registrar, etc. Both are very student focused buildings.

In addition, Beaver Stadium (football stadium with a seating capacity of about 106,000) and Bryce Jordan Center (a multi-purpose arena with a seating capacity of about 15,000) are nearby and visible from this location.

PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS

The final piece will be placed outside and will therefore need to be able to withstand the variety of weather conditions in Central Pennsylvania. The commissioned work should be successfully integrated into the surrounding landscape. The sculpture must be appreciated from all sides. Pieces that require water and/or electricity will NOT be considered, except for potentially some minimal accent lighting.

The artist will determine the size, material(s), and exact location of the sculpture. The location and configuration of the adjacent stone walls cannot be altered to accommodate the sculpture.

Artists are asked to submit special installation requirements and maintenance requirements with their entry forms with the understanding that alterations to the piece may be necessary for actual installation.

PROPOSAL CONTENT/FORMAT

Please provide a link to a website where your proposal can be downloaded. As an alternative, you may mail a CD to the address below. Your proposal is to include the following:

. The attached one-page entry sheet as the cover to your submission . A resume that highlights relevant experience as an artist, selected works in public collections, exhibitions, publications, professional training, and commission experience . A brief description and interpretation of your artwork (i.e. titles, mediums, dates, sizes of works, inspiration, etc.) . Photographs of your relevant portfolio . Images that represent your proposed concept for the “We Are” sculpture . A description of your proposed concept for the “We Are” sculpture, including total project costs.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS/ARTIST SELECTION PROCESS

A completed entry packet as outlined above must be received no later than Friday, March 22, 2013.

Proposals will be evaluated by the Selection Committee. Members of the selection committee include:

. Daniele Ashkenazy, Student, Marketing Chair . Morgan Delaware, Student, Overall Class Gift Chairperson . Geoff Hallett, Assistant Director, Student Programs . Jan Muhlert, Director of the Palmer Museum of Art . Eliza Pennypacker, Professor of Landscape Architecture . Sophia Perri, Student, Gift Development Chair . Joyce Robinson, Curator of the Palmer Museum of Art . Dwayne Rush, Project Manager for class gifts . Graeme Sullivan, Director, Penn State’s School of Visual Arts . Gordon Turow, Director of Campus Planning and Design . Steve Watson, University Planner

The Selection Committee will develop a short list of three artists. The Committee will invite the short-listed artists to campus between April 8 and April 19, 2013 for an interview. Lodging and per diem expenses will be covered. However, travel expenses to University Park will not be covered. The selected finalists may bring additional materials should they feel this would help the committee better understand their ideas and design for the proposed sculpture.

The Selection Committee will make its recommendation on the preferred sculpture to the Associate Vice President for Physical Plant for final approval. The artist will subsequently be invited to negotiate the final scope and cost of the sculpture as described above. If negotiations with the preferred artist are not successful, the Committee reserves the right to negotiate with another qualified candidate. The decision of the Committee is final.

Penn State University’s 2013 Senior Class Gift Artist Selection Committee reserves the sole right to evaluate and select the successful artist. The selected artist must be willing to collaborate with this Committee, and take part in conversations with other students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

BUDGET

The commissioned work is being funded by the Class of 2013. The selection and funding for this artwork will meet the highest professional standards. A total commission fee of up to $155,000 will be available and will include ALL costs for the sculpture (i.e. design fees, construction costs, delivery to campus, installation, etc.) - complete and in place - as outlined below:

 Design and fabrication of proposal(s) and sketch(s) or model(s) for presentation to the 2013 Senior Class Gift Artist Selection Committee  All costs, including supplies and materials, necessary for completion and installation of the sculpture.  Taxes and Insurance, including $1 million Liability Insurance and any statutory required Worker's Compensation  Transportation for the artist and shipment of the sculpture and installation.

*Final amount available will be realized around January 7, 2014 and is determined by the amount raised by the Class of 2013.

CALENDAR

 March 22, 2013 Deadline for receipt of entry form and proposal requirements  April 5, 2013 Committee selects 3 artists to be interviewed  April 8 – April 19,2013 Interviews are conducted  May 10, 2013 Preferred artist and design concept are announced  June 7, 2013 Contract completed  August 15, 2014 Project is completed

FOR MORE INFORMATION

This Call for Entries is available in downloadable format at www.seniorclassgift.psu.edu. If you have any questions about the procedures for entering this competition, you may contact Geoff Hallett at 814-865-0198 or email: [email protected] . CD’s may be mailed to Geoff at the Office of Annual Giving, 0200 Bristol Place I, State College, PA 16801. ATTACHMENTS

Site Location Map & Aerial Photos Future Conditions Plan w/ IM Building Expansion Renderings of the new addition Floor plans of the new addition President’s full gift acceptance speech. IMAGE OF THE WORDS OF THE PENN STATE ALMA MATER in the original handwriting of Fred Lewis Pattee and the TEXT as a point of reference. Entry Form

ATTACHMENT

ENTRY FORM: Included with proposal due by March 22, 2013

Mail to:

Geoff Hallett, Assistant Director, Student Programs The Pennsylvania State University Office of Annual Giving 0200 Bristol Place I State College, PA 16801

Name______

Address______

City______State______Zip______

Phone ______

Email ______

Medium______

Estimated Size of piece ______

Special installation and maintenance requirements (if any) ______

______

Site Location

‘We Are’ Sculpture Penn State University Site Location at East end of IM Building Addition

‘We Are’ Sculpture Penn State University Existing IM Building Site

Sculpture Site

‘We Are’ Sculpture Penn State University Future Site Conditions with IM Building Expansion

Intramural Building

Sculpture Site Outdoor Classroom

Curtin Road

‘We Are’ Sculpture Penn State University IM Building Addition Rendering

‘We Are’ Sculpture Penn State University First Level: IM Building

Basketball Courts Volleyball Courts Basketball Courts Raquetball Courts Raquetball Courts Equipment Checkout Lounge

Multipurpose Offices Lobby Fitness Rooms

‘We Are’ Sculpture Penn State University Mezzanine Level: IM Building

Mechanical Track

Fitness

Equipment Repair

‘We Are’ Sculpture Penn State University 1

REMARKS BY RODNEY A. ERICKSON SENIOR CLASS GIFT 2013 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012 HUB FIRST FLOOR LOUNGE 11:00 AM

The long standing tradition of the senior class gift is one of the most meaningful and memorable at Penn State. Class gifts go well beyond providing a tangible symbol of the loyalty and pride of a class; the class gift connects your class to every Penn State class before you. Alumni regularly visit their class gifts when they return to campus, and they often note the beauty and thoughtfulness of the new gifts. Believe it or not, you will soon join these proud alumni—who are 557,000 strong and span the globe—and your class gift will be a permanent part of the history of our campus. Each gift has a unique story that adds to the character of our campus. Just last month we dedicated the 2011 Senior class gift – the Penn State Veteran’s Plaza in honor of Lt. Michael P. Murphy, Penn State distinguished alumnus and Medal of Honor winner. The 2010 Senior Class gift of the Marsh Meadow Boardwalk and Overlook is also well underway, and it will be wonderful addition to the Arboretum. The Class of 2013 has chosen a very special gift. A “We Are” sculpture enhanced with the words of the Penn State Alma Mater combines two of Penn State’s most cherished expressions of who we are. To fully appreciate the symbolism, allow me to provide some background. Penn State's Alma Mater was written by Fred Lewis Pattee, longtime Professor of American Literature, as a result of his dismay that Penn State didn’t have a song to “nourish college spirit and loyalty.” He first published the lyrics in the April 1901 Free Lance, which was a forerunner to the Collegian. The song was first sung at the Alumni Dinner in June 1901 during Commencement Week. Governor Beaver, President of the Board of Trustees, arose immediately and proclaimed it "the official song of Penn State". With President Atherton's agreement, it became so. After some editing and shortening, it was accepted as the Alma Mater. The story of the “We Are” rallying cry dates back to 1946 when Penn State had two African-American players on the football team. A game was scheduled with the University of Miami, a segregated school in the segregated south. Penn State was contacted by Miami and told that Penn State was welcome to come but could not bring their two black players. Coach Higgins discussed the situation with the team and asked for input. The team voted unanimously that “if we all can’t go, no one will go.” The game was cancelled. The next season, Penn State’s team went undefeated to become one of the best in the nation. It was apparent a bowl invitation was possible, although the Orange and Sugar Bowls would not accept black players. 2 However the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas showed interest if they could find an opponent willing to play Penn State. A team meeting was called to discuss the issue. The team held fast to their refusal to play without their two black players, because they said, “We are…Penn State.” Ultimately Southern Methodist University agreed to play Penn State, and it was the first time African-Americans played in the Cotton Bowl. Although the contest ended in a tie, the team will always be remembered for breaking the color barrier. Joe Sarabok, a guard for the 1947 team, summed it up this way, “We feel that this team and this university, Penn State, were the forerunners in what happened in the future.” That was beginning of the “We are” story, but it wasn’t until 1977, when the cheerleading team brought it to Beaver Stadium, that it caught on. Those 20 cheerleaders rallied the fans in an iconic cheer that now unites all Penn Staters. I’m delighted that the Class of 2013 has chosen a gift that will be seen and enjoyed by countless students, faculty members, alumni and campus visitors. It will certainly become a “must see” landmark on campus. What’s more, the class of 2013 has rallied together to secure more than 3,000 senior commitments to the class gift. Since your class met this challenge, alumni Ed and Helen Hintz have pledged to endow a Trustee Scholarship in your class’s name. Thank you for your participation and support. On behalf of our Penn State community, I’m pleased to accept this wonderful gift from the Class of 2013.