Public Art honoring Vera Bradley Foundation in atrium of new IUSM Medical Building

This artwork will honor the vision and generosity of the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer (Ft. Wayne) in recognition of the organization's $50-million dollar commitment to support breast cancer research at Indiana University since 1999. Their grassroots, event-based fundraising results in annual support for laboratory and clinical research conducted by team scientists at the Vera Bradley Foundation Center for Breast Cancer Research at the IU Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center in Indianapolis.

The IU School of Medicine's vision for the art is that it will inspire hope in all who see it. Much as the partnership with Vera Bradley Foundation and the research it enables provides hope to patients, researchers and physicians alike, the sculpture should awaken hope in all who see it. At its core, this artwork should be a celebration of the hope that the Vera Bradley Foundation has sparked. The artwork will be installed in the naturally lit atrium of the new Medical Education and Research Building (MERB), which extends from the ground to the third floor and is designed as a gathering space for mingling and large events.

Interested artists or artist teams must submit a letter of interest (artist statement), resume, up to 10 work samples (images, video, or audio), an annotated work sample list, and 3-5 professional references by April 20, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. MDT. This opportunity is open to professional artists with experience executing their ideas from concept to completion, meeting a specified budget and timeframe, and working in the public realm with public agencies. Artists of all backgrounds are encouraged to participate. The budget for this commission is $175,000.