Proposed Art at Rowan University’s Wilson Hall Dance Program Expansion 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 

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. 

About the College of Performing Arts and the Dance Program 

The College of Performing Arts is made up of programs in Dance, Music Education & Performance, Music Industry, and Theatre, as well as the Rowan Music Group, a nonprofit professional recording label. The college is a family of supportive artists, where our world-class faculty guide our students in developing their skills as performers, educators, producers, directors, designers, collaborators, and entrepreneurs. 

The Dance program, as an academic pursuit, was founded in 1969 by A. Tage Wood, a professor in the Physical Education Department at what was then Glassboro State College. Wood had a great vision for dance and was able to connect it with the Department of Theatre in 1971. The program grew through the ‘70s and early ‘80s, before becoming an official minor in 1991.  

First proposed in 2012, the B.A. in Dance became a reality two years later in 2014 and celebrated its first graduates in 2015. Today the program boasts over 250 alumni and, in addition to majors and minors, serves more than 300 non-major students in dance courses each semester. 

Wilson Hall Dance Program Expansion (View images attached) 

The Dance Program Expansion describes a 7,500 SF addition to Wilson Hall located at Rowan University’s Main Campus. The addition is currently under construction and, when complete in fall 2023, will be a state-of-the-art facility featuring two dance studios, a public lobby area, restrooms, and offices, plus other dedicated spaces for dancers, faculty, and staff. The addition centralizes the dance program within the College of Performing Arts’ main building, Wilson Hall, and fulfills accreditation standards from the National Association of Schools of Dance. The new structure will be a combination of glass and concrete that plays off the proportions and aesthetic of the two adjacent buildings (Wilson and Rowan Halls). 

Proposed Art 

Rowan University is seeking to commission public artwork(s) that will complement the addition’s flex space. The flex space is a room measuring approximately 14’ x 33’, which flows seamlessly into the main lobby. It has centered doorway openings on its north and south walls, each leading to a dance studio. Lockers line the north wall. As the name implies, the space is meant to meet a variety of needs within its footprint. While relatively small in area, the 27’-high ceilings and a glass curtain wall provide a generous, open feel. Click the view site details above.  

Artist finalists will be asked to propose an artwork installation that is suspended within the flex space, or attached to the walls and/or ceiling.  

The school envisions an artwork that takes advantage of the volume of the room without occupying floor area. While the work will be appreciated within the room and from various angles internally, it is anticipated the art will be visible outside the walls of the building as well, due to the floor-to-ceiling windows on the room’s west façade. The glass wall is all that separates the flex space from the garden and green space that envelops the structure.  

Budget: The proposed budget for this project is approximately $40,000. 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.  

Location: Rowan University is located in the southern New Jersey town of Glassboro, 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. 

Application Requirements

Application Instructions: 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 from a pool of applicants to receive a formal request for proposals. The budget shall cover all costs incurred by the artist relating to the design, fabrication and installation of the artwork.  

Potential artists will be selected from those who submit expressions of interest (EOI). Shortlisted artists will receive a request for proposal (RFP) to respond 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 materials summarizing their interest and experience in the creation of public artworks via this EOI call posted on Call For Entry. The submission should include:   

A brief bio/statement of interest in the project. 

A list of at least 3 references (name, contact information – phone number and e-mail address) for similar projects.  

Applicants must upload 4 - 8 images of past works. (Optional video submission). The portfolio must include descriptions (i.e. location, materials, date of completion) of each work.  

Include all your contact information: (Phone number, email, mailing address, and website) 

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 8/11/2022. 

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

Eligibility Criteria

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.  

Students enrolled in an undergraduate degree program are not eligible for this call. All respondents must be willing to contract with the University and be prepared to complete State-required procurement processes, including insurance, engineering certification, NJ Business registration and any other required contract steps, should they be selected for the commission.  

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.  

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