Call for Proposals

The Department of Art History & Archaeology, xFoundry and Mtech are pleased to announce a Call for Proposals for a new mural on our campus. The work will be installed on the first floor of the Herbert Rabin Technology Advancement Program Building, located at 4467 Technology Drive (College Park, MD). This initiative stems from a course on Public Art, taught by Professor Abigail McEwen, and is led by twenty-five undergraduate students who are invested in bringing new and diverse art to UMD and who will serve as jurors. The commissioned work will feature in the 2026 edition of NextNOW Fest, organized annually by the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. 

We invite submissions that express the multidisciplinary values of technology, innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurship that are central to the mission of Mtech. We are particularly interested in vibrant, colorful designs that convey the creative process and social impact of Mtech’s fledgling ventures. Preference will be given to artists who have a personal connection to UMD (current students, alumni, faculty, staff, community members). Submissions should be new and original works and should be painted directly onto the wall. The mural is intended for a wall along the first-floor hallway and/or interior room of the Rabin Building (approx. 10x15 ft and 12x20 ft., respectively; see images here).

Timeline:

• Oct. 4 Competition Opens

• Nov. 2 Competition Closes

• Nov. 19 Semifinalists (up to four) Announced

• Nov. 25 Semifinalist Interviews (virtual; 12:30-3:00pm)

• Dec. 4-5 Award Announcement

• Dec. 9 Award Ceremony (in-person or virtually) at Mtech

• Spring 2026 Creation/Installation of Work

• September 2026 NextNOW Fest

Guidelines:

• Each semifinalist (up to four) will receive an honorarium of $250. Semifinalists must be available for a virtual, 30-minute conversation on November 25 (12:30-3:00pm).

• The selected artist will have access to workspace in the Rabin Building in Spring 2026.

• The work must be installed by the end of May 2026.

• The work will be loaned to the University for temporary display (installation period of 1-3 years, as determined by the University).

• The work shall be removed at the end of the installation period at the artist’s expense and in consultation with Mtech.

• 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.

Proposals will be evaluated using the following criteria:

1. Feasibility (1-10 points)

   • Specific and realistic timeline

   • Clear and appropriate budget

2. Creativity (1-10 points)

   • Artistic excellence, originality, and innovation

3. Location and Public Engagement (1-10 points)

   • Site-specific design adapted to the space of the Rabin Building

   • Intentional orientation to the public, specifically to students, faculty, staff, and entrepreneurs who inhabit the Rabin Building

4. Theme (1-10 points)

   • Alignment with the vision and mission of Mtech

   • Clear connection to the UMD and greater Maryland communities

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 2025 and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate.

Artist Honorarium:

The artist will receive an honorarium of $2,000, paid in two installments (the second following the installation of the work). An additional award of up to $1,000 is immediately available for costs related to supplies, equipment, transportation and installation/deinstallation. All other costs shall be the responsibility of the artist.

Submission Requirements:

Submit the following via this form (https://go.umd.edu/IDEAartUMDsubmit):

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

• Title of Work, Medium, and approximate Dimensions (or running time)

• One-page Resume or CV

• One-page Artist Statement or Proposal

• Short Responses to the Following:

  • How does your work engage the public at the University of Maryland and at the Rabin building?

  • Describe the maintenance requirements of the proposed work throughout the display period (approximately 1-3 years)?

• Detailed Budget (including material, installation, and deinstallation costs)

• Supporting Images or Video (up to five files)

Please reach out to Abigail McEwen (mcewen@umd.edu) with questions about the site (potential locations, measurements, other building specs), the submission requirements, or the loan agreement. See the project website (https://go.umd.edu/IDEAartUMDsubmit) 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 xFoundry, Mtech, 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.

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.

An initiative of the A. James Clark School of Engineering, Mtech is a pioneer in building university-company partnerships and guides students through the process of launching and maintaining technology-based ventures. Since launching three programs in 1985, Mtech has developed successful companies, essential technology products, international partnerships, and a skilled biotechnology workforce.

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