Sculpture for the Augusta University Summerville Campus on Innovation & Community

The Greater Augusta Arts Council, on behalf of Augusta University, is requesting proposals from qualified sculptors or artist teams to create a unique, durable, low-maintenance, safe to touch sculpture. This will be placed on the grounds of the Augusta University Summerville Campus at 2500 Walton Way, Augusta, GA 30904.

Artists are invited to create a sculpture symbolizing the university’s commitment to innovation and community. This piece will celebrate the journey of learning, serving as a beacon of knowledge and interconnectedness. It should highlight the university's role in the community by creating a powerful visual landmark. The design can include natural elements such as floral references, as it will be placed near a path covered with trees and a nearby camellia garden. The sculpture should invite all to be part of a future-thinking institution dedicated to discovery and inclusion, emphasizing its role in advancing the community

The GIS coordinates to pinpoint the location on Google Maps are 33.47810º N, 82.02512º W.

Every artist who applies for this call is strongly encouraged to research the history, mission, and programs of Augusta University. More information can be found at https://www.augusta.edu/ . In-depth questions about the sculpture can be answered by Scott Thorp, Chair of the Department of Art and Design at Augusta University, SCOTT.THORP@augusta.edu.

Selected artists will receive a stipend of $15,000 to cover all expenses associated with the envisioning, creation, transport, insurance and installation of the sculpture, and any and all other expenses the artist might encounter, including a concrete pad if needed.

Installation: July/August 2025

Artists may apply up to 5 times with separate proposals.  Please do not submit different concept proposals in one application.  Each application must be for one, individual design.  Applications that contain multiple proposal designs will be disqualified.

About Augusta University:

Located in the historic city for which it is named and on regional campuses across the state, Augusta University is Georgia’s preeminent public health sciences and medical research university, home of the state’s Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center, and one of the country’s top universities for student success.

The university’s multi-disciplinary research enterprise and corporate, community and government partnerships propel frontier-expanding discovery and real-world solutions that address critical health, security, economic and societal concerns to advance and enrich the human experience.

Augusta University provides a personalized learning and discovery environment that creates a sense of belonging and encourages involvement and growth, combining critical and creative thinking with practical experiences and community engagement to prepare students from all backgrounds for lifelong success.

Augusta, Georgia:

Augusta, Georgia is the third largest city in the state of Georgia with approximately 200,000 residents, and around 500,000 in the larger metropolitan area, which spans both sides of the Savannah River, into South Carolina. Augusta was established as a strategic trading city along the geological “fall line” of the Savannah River. 

The climate in Augusta, GA is generally lovely, ranging from an average 45 degrees in winter to 82 degrees in summer. It does reach freezing temperatures for a few days a year, and can reach the high 90s in summer. It can be humid and does receive strong thunderstorms and the occasional tropical storm winds. Any outdoor sculptures must be made to withstand the full range of weather for at least fifty years.

Georgia Rehabilitation Institute:

This sculpture call is made possible by a generous grant from Georgia Rehabilitation Institute, Inc. through the Dennis B. Skelley Public Art Fund. GRI is a not-for-profit corporation that serves to better the lives of persons with disabilities and the elderly population in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA). To increase access to the arts for those without easy access to indoor art installations, GRI will support the fully accessible installation of public art in Augusta, GA.  

The Site:

This request for proposals is part of an ongoing commitment to develop a density of public art at key locations in downtown Augusta. The site for this sculpture is along a popular walking path that encircles the entirety of Summerville Campus. Here, students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members enjoy the outdoors, study in the shade, meet with friends and family, and exorcise. Adjacent to the sculpture site is the historic Arsenal Cemetery. In close proximity is the Grover C. Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre.

Selection:

All individual pieces will be scored by Augusta University leadership teams and Georgia Rehabilitation Institute leadership. The top scoring proposal will be offered the project, and upon confirmation by the artist, contracts will be finalized between Greater Augusta Arts Council and the artist.  If the selected artist declines, or a contract cannot be finalized, the next highest scoring proposal by a different artist will be selected.

Selection criteria include:

• Qualifications and Experience of the artist in creating and installing sculptures in public spaces
• Clarity and Organization of the proposal as a reflection of artist's professionalism and ease of collaboration
• Aesthetic appeal of the images presented in the artist's portfolio of past work
• Aesthetic appeal of the images of the proposed sculpture
• Appropriateness of proposal vis a vis the purpose of the sculpture as symbolizing innovation, technological advancement, and the spirit of progress, particularly through collaboration and community
• Appropriateness of proposal vis a vis visibility at the site
• Clear plan for installation
• Feasibility of proposal in terms of scope of work in relation to project budget and timeline
• Professional references
   

Eligibility:

The request for proposals is open to professional sculptors and artist teams.  All members of any team that applies must be at least 18 years of age and reside in the Southeastern Region of the United States.

Sculpture:

Augusta University is seeking proposals for an original metal or stone sculpture suitable for long-term installation in outdoor public space. All sculptures must meet the following basic requirements:

1. The proposed work must be structurally sound and durable, and require little to no maintenance beyond routine cleaning.
2. The proposed work must be capable of withstanding adverse weather conditions common to the Augusta Region, including hot summers, cold winters, humidity, heavy rain, wind, thunder storms, and very occasional snow.
3. The proposed work must be suitable for pedestrian interaction with a low exposure to injury. The public must be protected from possible injury from materials and the work must not include sharp parts. The sculpture should not invite climbing, and it must not present a public hazard, especially to young children. There must be no danger of children catching their heads, fingers or toes in gaps.
4. The proposed work must visually communicate the concept of innovation, technological advancement, and the spirit of progress, particularly through collaboration and community
5. The proposed work (and any base) must exist within the following dimensional profile: 
   10 feet - 15 feet high (including base)
6. The proposed work must be of an aesthetic quality that would appeal to a variety of ages and cultural backgrounds.

General Information:

Installation: 

The selected artist is responsible for transportation of their work to the site and sculpture installation. Installation costs regarding site preparation will be the responsibility of the Artist, including but not limited to concrete pad. The Greater Augusta Arts Council may be able to offset the cost of a lift, if needed for installation, thanks to the ongoing support of Herc Rentals, a local equipment supply company that sponsors many public art projects in the Augusta area.

Payment: 

The artist will be paid $15,000 for the commission and installation of the sculpture. 

• First payment will be made to artist upon execution of contract with the Greater Augusta Arts Council in the amount of $5,000.
• Second payment will be made to the artist upon satisfactory communication of mid-way progress in the creation of the artwork, at an agreed upon date between the artist and Arts Council, in the amount of $5,000.
• Final payment will be made to artist upon satisfactory installation of the sculpture at the designated site, in the amount of $5,000.

Schedule:

• RFP available: April 14 - June 6, 2025 (The call closes at 11:59 PM Mountain Time)
• Selection process: June 9 - 20, 2025
• Notification to selected artist: July 1, 2025
• Contractual process: July 1 - July 18, 2025
• Installation of sculpture: July 21- August 31, 2025

Application Requirements

Application Requirements:

Required to include from Café Portfolio: 5-10 images of past work.

• Artist resume
• Image of sculpture proposal in PDF or JPG format
• Description of proposal
• Installation plan
• Project budget
• Professional references

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility:

This request for proposals is open to all professional sculptors and artist teams.  All members of any team that applies must be at least 18 years of age and reside in the Southeastern Region of the United States.