Donor Recognition Art for New Visitor Center

The John James Audubon Center (JJAC), located near Valley Forge, PA at Mill Grove, is accepting proposals for Donor Recognition Art to be placed in the lobby of its new Visitor Center, scheduled to open in spring 2019. The site, the first home in America of artist/naturalist John James Audubon, is owned by Montgomery County (PA), managed by National Audubon Society, and designated as a National Historic Landmark. The new visitor center will serve as a gateway to historic structures and more than 200 acres of bird habitat, featuring 5,000 square feet of exhibits interpreting birds and Audubon's life.

The donor recognition piece must honor contributors to the project, add meaningful artistic value to the lobby, complement the building's architecture, and honor Audubon's legacy by communicating the intrinsic value and beauty of birds. The designated space is 13.8 ft. high, 7 ft. wide, and 2 ft. deep, with an additional 8 ft. high, 6 ft. wide space available above an adjacent interpretive panel. The piece may be made from durable, cleanable materials including ceramic, stone, metals, wood, or glass, and must be securely anchored to meet all life-safety codes. The piece should accommodate up to 50 names in four distinct sizes (approximately 3 x-large, 3 large, 20 medium, 24 small), with provisions for adding up to 20 additional names in the two smaller sizes in the future. Project completion is due March 1, 2019, subject to change based on construction delays. Total budget is $20,000, subject to change based on proposal options.

Proposals must be submitted as a single PDF by May 1, 2018 to [email protected] or through Call for Entry/CaFE. Responses must include: descriptions and photos of at least 3 substantially similar projects or projects adaptable for donor recognition; a letter of interest describing commissioned art experience (not exceeding 500 words); resume/CV with relevant experience; a basic visual concept supported by sketches, written description, or references; and a one-page outline of timeline, milestones, preliminary budget, and cost of ownership. All proposals will be reviewed by a committee including National Audubon Society and Montgomery County representatives. Selection criteria include professional qualifications, proven ability to deliver projects on time and within budget, artistic merit and craftsmanship, and suitability for the site. JJAC anticipates selecting at least two artists for in-depth site discussions; selected artists will receive a $1,000 honorarium. The final artist(s) will be required to enter into a Professional Services Contract with National Audubon Society.