Call for Proposals

DEPARTMENT OF ART HISTORY & ARCHAEOLOGY 

12-B Parren J. Mitchell Art-Sociology Building

College Park, Maryland 20742-1335 

Phone: 301.405.1479 Fax: 301.314.9652 

www.arthistory.umd.edu

Public Art @UMD: Call for Proposals 

Deadline: Sunday, November 1, 2026 

The Division of Student Affairs, the Department of Art History & Archaeology, and xFoundry are pleased to announce a Call for Proposals for a new mural on our campus. The work will be installed on the second floor of the Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. Building, located at 7999 Regents Drive (College Park, MD). This initiative stems from a course on Public Art, taught by Professor Abigail McEwen, and is led by twenty-two undergraduate students who are invested in bringing new art to UMD and who will serve as jurors. The commissioned work will feature in the 2027 edition of NextNOW Fest, organized annually by the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. 

We invite submissions that express the vision, mission, and values of the Division of Student Affairs (DSA) as described in Forward Together, DSA’s Strategic Plan. We are particularly interested in inspirational, colorful designs that encapsulate the diverse experiences and trajectories of students outside of the classroom and across their UMD careers. Preference will be given to artists who have a personal connection to UMD. 

Submissions should be new and original works and should be painted directly onto the wall. Artists may incorporate additional space along the hallway, but the mural is primarily intended for a slightly recessed portion of a wall on the second-floor hallway of the Mitchell Building (approximately 164 x 82.5 inches; photos and video of the space are available on the submission form). 

Timeline: 

October 1 Competition Opens 

November 1 Competition Closes 

November 10 Semifinalists (up to four) Announced 

November 23 Semifinalist Interviews (virtual; 12-2:30pm) 

December 2-4 Award Announcement 

December 7 Award Ceremony (in-person or virtual) at the Mitchell Building 

Spring 2027 Creation/Fabrication of Work 

  Collaboration with Public Art students and DSA staff 

Summer 2027 Site Preparation and Installation in the Mitchell Building September 2027 NextNOW Fest

Guidelines: 

● Each semifinalist (up to four) will receive an honorarium of $500. Semifinalists must be available for a virtual, 30-minute conversation on November 23 (12-2:30pm). 

● The work must be completed by the end of August 2027. 

● The work will remain in place for a period of at least 1-3 years, as determined by the University. 

● The work should not be a memorial. 

● The artist must accept the risk of damage to the work (including vandalism). 

● The work must not pose risk of physical injury to the public or damage to University property. 

● The selected artist will be required to sign an agreement with the University of Maryland outlining the terms of the engagement, and granting the University a license for certain use and reproduction rights.  

● The work should be suitable for a general audience and may not include any material or content that infringes the right(s) of any other party, or that violates any applicable law or regulation. 

● The work should not be created through the use of AI tools. 

Proposals will be evaluated using the following criteria:

Feasibility (10)

● Specific and realistic timeline 

● Clear and appropriate budget 

● Prior relevant experience

Creativity and Originality (10)

● Artistic excellence, originality, and innovation 

Theme and DSA Representation (10)

● Thematic and conceptual resonance with the vision, mission, and values of DSA 

● Clear, representative expression of community and belonging at UMD

Location and Public Impact (10)

● Site-specific design adapted to the space of the Mitchell Building and complementary to the existing decorative scheme of the hallway 

● Intentional orientation to the public, specifically to students, parents, faculty, and staff who work in and visit the Mitchell Building–specifically, the offices of the Dean of Students and the Division of Student Affairs

Connection to UMD (5)

● Artist has a relationship to UMD (student, alumnus, faculty, staff, community member) 

● Artist has a special relationship to DSA (e.g., to one or more of DSA’s seventeen departments)

Notwithstanding these criteria, all installations of works on campus are subject to prior approvals by the University’s Facilities Management department, which may be granted or withheld in its sole discretion. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

This competition is open to artists who are at least 18 years of age. Artists from all backgrounds and experience levels are encouraged to apply. Students enrolled in Public Art (ARTH262) in Fall 2026 and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate. 

Artist Honorarium: 

The artist will receive an honorarium of $10,000, paid in two installments (the second following the installation of the work). All other costs shall be the responsibility of the artist. 

Submission Requirements: 

● Name, E-mail Address, Mailing Address, Phone Number, and Website (if applicable) 

● Title of Work, Medium, and approximate Dimensions 

● One-page Resume or CV 

● One-page Artist Statement or Proposal 

● Short Responses to the Following: 

○ How does your work engage the public at UMD and at the Mitchell Building? 

○ How do you personally relate to community and belonging at UMD? 

● Detailed Budget (including materials and installation costs) 

● Supporting Images or Video (up to five files) 

● Use of AI Statement (clarification) 

Submit the above via this form

Please reach out to Abigail McEwen (mcewen@umd.edu) with questions about the site, the submission requirements, or the loan agreement. See the project website (https://go.umd.edu/IDEAartUMD) for more information.

Project Background: 

Students enrolled in Public Art (ARTH262), taught by Abigail McEwen, developed this CFP through in-class study and discussion as well as interviews with a range of campus stakeholders. We are eager to see more public art at UMD and envision this initiative as a pilot in a longer-term initiative to bring more art to our campus. 

This commission is supported by the Division of Student Affairs, xFoundry, and the Department of Art History & Archaeology. 

The Department of Art History and Archaeology is a community of students and scholars that focuses on visual, material and textual expressions as a means to understand culture. We critically engage with the reality of living in a world of images, working across a wide range of histories, perspectives and values. 

The Division of Student Affairs serves the University of Maryland community—students, parents, faculty, staff, and visitors—through its 17 departments. All departments in DSA work to ensure the success, health, and well-being of our students. In addition, DSA serves parents, faculty, staff, and visitors through our various units and programs. 

At xFoundry@UMD, we believe in empowering students to become agents of change, capable of addressing complex problems and making a tangible impact on the world. Students engage in immersive competitions and projects aimed at cultivating the mindset and skills of a founder. Through these experiences, students develop essential qualities such as adaptability, resourcefulness, risk tolerance, and resilience—attributes critical for success in any career. 

The Organizers retain the right to cancel this Call for Proposals, change or delay the selection schedule, or select a different number of semifinalists.