Proposed Art at Rowan University’s  

Chamberlain Student Center in Glassboro, New Jersey 

About Rowan University 

Rowan University has evolved from its beginning in 1923 as a school with a mission to train teachers for South Jersey classrooms, to a comprehensive public research university with a strong regional presence and reputation. At Rowan, what underlies and drives every decision are four guiding principles that reflect what we value and how we perceive our obligation to serve and lead as a state university. Educational priorities, enrollment, outreach initiatives, finances and collaboration with partners are just a few of the concerns that benefit from the filter of the four pillars: 

• Providing access to increase opportunities for students to benefit from higher education 

• Improving affordability to help relieve the burden of student debt and maintain the highest standards of fiscal accountability 

• Ensuring quality to deliver education, programs and services of superior quality 

• Serving as an economic engine to lead the development of the region, collaborating with public and private partners to benefit all 

Today, Rowan's 23,000+ students may select from 80 bachelors, 44 masters and 7 doctoral degree programs in colleges and schools across five campuses and online. The University is one of only 56 institutions in the country with accredited programs in business, education, engineering and medicine. From the modest normal school begun a century ago, Rowan University has become an extraordinary comprehensive institution that has improved the quality of life for the citizens of New Jersey and the surrounding states.

Situated along landscaped walkways, open green spaces, or within campus buildings, Rowan University’s public art beautifies our campus, enriches our community, and contributes to our cultural heritage while offering opportunities for fellowship and reflection. In addition to enhancing campus beauty and quality of life, public art encourages creative and critical thinking, expands appreciation for art, fosters a sense of place, affirms the University’s values and tradition, and extends the scholarly and creative culture beyond the classroom.

Chamberlain Student Center (View site details above)

The main campus of Rowan University is in Glassboro, New Jersey. This southern New Jersey town is 18 miles southeast of Philadelphia. The campus is easily reached from the N.J. Turnpike, the Atlantic City Expressway or any of the Delaware River Bridges. 

Proposed Art

Rowan University is seeking to commission public artwork(s) that will be integrated into the design for a new addition to the Chamberlain Student Center, referred to as the “Agora.” (site plans provided).

Concept/Inspiration

Rowan University sits on the edge of a unique ecological feature in southern New Jersey. Much of the spirit of the region is influenced by this phenomenon- the New Jersey Pine Barrens. On campus, Meditation Walk is a landscaped greenway, inspired by the native landscape of the pine barrens, with its flora and fauna organically set within the built environment of the campus. Chamberlain Student Center is a destination along this campus greenway. Influenced by its site and the vision to create a great central gathering place on campus for the social and intellectual sharing of ideas, the Chamberlain Student Center addition is conceived as an ”Agora in the Pines.”  The Agora is a biophilic response and metaphoric extension of the campus greenway. A heavy timber roof structure cascades down the slope of the site and opens spatially and visually to the campus greenway beyond. Native plantings populate the new outdoor student center plaza and planters adjacent to the indoor amphitheater reminding the occupants of their unique physical location in the world.

Site of Art Inclusion - Planters

An interior amphitheater overlooks the open commons of the Agora. On each level of the amphitheater, there is a built-in landscaped planter. Each planter holds approximately two feet of soil and interior plantings that replicate the flora of the pine barrens. The planters are specially irrigated, underdrained, and lit to sustain interior plant life. Adjacent to the planters are casual seating areas with access to power. The planters are a central feature in the Agora and can be seen from the ground and first floor levels (see site plans above). Artist finalists will be asked to propose an artwork installation that integrates into or uses these planters as their base. The six planters will vary in length, ranging from approximately three feet (3') to ten feet (10'). Each planter will have a width of two feet, ten inches (2' 10").  

Application Requirements

Interested parties are required to submit a portfolio of their past-completed work, as well as profile and contact information outlined below. The University will shortlist a group of artists to receive a formal request for proposals from a pool of applicants. The proposed budget for this project is approximately $120,000. The budget shall cover all costs incurred by the artist relating to the design, fabrication and installation of the artwork. Covered expenses include, but shall not be limited to, compensation for design and engineering services, materials, permitting, insurance, transportation of artwork, fabrication, installation, artist fees and travel, etc. 

Potential artists will be selected from those who submit expressions of interest (EOI). Shortlisted artists will receive a request for proposal (RFP) to respond to with a proposal that outlines their approach and ability to create the project. A stipend of $1000 will be provided to shortlisted artists to offset costs related to proposal preparation.

Artists interested in participating in the project should submit letters summarizing their interest and experience in the creation of public artworks via this EOI call posted on Call For Entry. The letter should include a list of at least 3 references (name, contact information – phone number and e-mail address) for similar projects. All applicants must upload 4 - 8 images of past works. The portfolio must include descriptions (i.e. location, materials, date of completion) of each work. In addition to uploaded portfolio, the applicant must include contact information: (Phone number, email, mailing address, and website), a brief bio and references from previous public projects.

Please note: The selected artists(s) will be responsible for all design, engineering, and installation of the artwork within an agreed upon timeline. 

The submission deadline for EOIs in CAFE is 6/30/2022.

Expressions of Interest are only accepted via CallForEntry.org (CAFE).  

Application Process:

All applications must be submitted through www.callforentry.org (CAFE), a free website for artists to use. Artists must register and set up an account in CAFE, and upload images of their work to their CAFE account in order to submit to this call. Submissions will not be accepted or reviewed through any other means.

Application Materials to be Submitted in CAFE:

1.     A brief artist’s bio

2.     A letter of interest that includes references, with phone numbers and email contact for previous public arts commissions

3.     Four (4) to Eight (8) digital images of existing, completed artwork

4.     Confirmation of your age and residency within 150 miles of New Jersey border

Anticipated Timeline:

• Call for EOI releases: May 23
• Deadline for EOI: June 30
• Shortlist Artist Invitation RFP: August 31
• Shortlist Artist virtual project orientation/Q+A: September 6
• Proposal Deadline: October 14
• Artist Notification: end of October 2022
• Anticipated installation- Winter-Spring 2023

Eligibility Criteria

Priority applicants: Individuals who self-identify as women and BIPOC artists, both of which are currently underrepresented in the University’s current public art collection. 

All applicants must be regionally based residing no more than 150 miles from Rowan University (Glassboro, NJ).  

All applicants must be over the age of 18 to be considered for this opportunity. 

Final selections will be made based upon a variety of factors, including average jury scores, artist’s home/studio location, interest and ability to interact with students during installation, and other factors.    

Contract:

Upon selection and final design approval, the artist must complete a contract with Rowan University, register in the State’s procurement system (NJSTART), complete all required business registrations, pay any required fees, and follow the University’s procurement processes. An example of the contract is included herewith for your information.