Founders Hall Student Art Installation

Request for Proposals

1. Project Overview

Kent State University at Tuscarawas invites currently enrolled Tuscarawas Campus students to submit an original proposal for a visual art installation in Founders Hall.

The goal is to create an engaging installation that reflects academic life at Kent State Tuscarawas. The selected design should represent the campus as a whole and may incorporate academic programs, student experiences, campus life, community connections, or other elements associated with the Tuscarawas Campus.

2. Theme

Proposals should respond to the following theme:

Academic Life at Kent State Tuscarawas

Students are encouraged to interpret this theme creatively. The installation may represent specific academic programs or provide a broader interpretation of learning, discovery, collaboration, creativity, career preparation, and the student experience.

The design should be inclusive and representative of the Tuscarawas Campus community.

3. Location and Size

The installation will be placed in a hallway in Founders Hall at the Kent State Tuscarawas Campus.

The complete installation may be no larger than: 18 feet wide by 8.5 feet high

The design does not need to be rectangular. Creative shapes, arrangements, and configurations are encouraged, provided the entire installation fits within the designated space.

4. Types of Art Installations

Proposals are not limited to a traditional painted mural. Students may propose other forms of visual art, including:

1. Painting
2. Mixed media
3. Mosaic or tile work
4. Multiple canvases or panels assembled into one installation
5. Collage
6. Dimensional or layered elements
7. Other creative visual formats appropriate for an indoor public space

All proposals will be reviewed for safety, durability, cost, accessibility, and suitability for installation in Founders Hall.

5. Proposal Requirements

Each submission should include:

1. The student’s name, Kent State email address, and academic program.
2. A title for the proposed installation.
3. A color sketch, digital rendering, or other visual representation of the proposed design.
4. A written description explaining the concept and how it represents academic life or programs at Kent State Tuscarawas.
5. The proposed dimensions and shape of the installation.
6. A description of the materials and installation method envisioned.
7. An estimated cost for materials, if possible.
8. Any special equipment, preparation, or assistance that may be needed.

6. Design Expectations

Submitted designs must:

1. Be the student’s original work (not AI).
2. Be appropriate for display in a public university setting.
3. Reflect Kent State Tuscarawas in a positive and inclusive manner.
4. Avoid copyrighted images, characters, logos, or other materials that the student does not have permission to use.
5. Be capable of being adapted to the designated space and available materials.
6. Comply with university requirements related to safety, facilities, accessibility, and branding.

7. Selection Process

The Art Installation Task Force will review all eligible proposals and select three finalists.

The three finalist designs will then be presented to Tuscarawas Campus faculty and staff for a vote. The design receiving the most votes will be selected for the Founders Hall art installation.

Proposals may be evaluated based on:

1. Connection to the project theme
2. Creativity and originality
3. Representation of the Tuscarawas Campus community
4. Visual impact
5. Suitability for the available space
6. Feasibility, durability, and installation requirements

8. Award

The student whose design is selected will receive a $500 award.

The winning proposal will receive a $500 award. If the winning proposal was submitted by a team, the $500 award will be divided equally among all team members identified at the time of submission. Only team members listed on the original submission will be eligible to receive a portion of the award.

9. Permission to Use the Winning Design

By accepting the $500 award, the winning student or each member of the winning team grants Kent State University permission to use the selected design for the Founders Hall art installation.

This permission includes the ability to reproduce, resize, adapt, modify, install, display, photograph, and publicize the design. Reasonable changes may be necessary because of the available space, materials, budget, safety requirements, or installation process.

The student artist will be recognized in connection with the completed installation whenever reasonably possible.

10. Project Funding and Final Approval

Selection of a proposal does not guarantee that the design will be installed exactly as submitted. The final installation will be subject to university approval, available funding, facilities requirements, safety considerations, and any necessary design modifications.

The university may pursue grants, donations, or other funding sources to support the completed installation.

11. Submission Information

Submission deadline: Monday, November 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Submission method: Paper applications can be picked up and dropped off in the Academic Vice Dean's Office.

Art Installation Submission: https://forms.gle/Z9TxCx2TexHS2H8j7

Team Member Response: https://forms.gle/7JKaS6gfeL47sHGa9 (only if more than one student is participating in a submission)

File requirements: PDF, Word, or .jpg .png

Questions may be directed to: sandrea1@kent.edu

12. Proposed Timeline

The schedule for planning and installation may be adjusted based on the selected design, university approvals, funding, materials, and facilities scheduling. The winning student will be invited to participate in the planning and installation process but will not be required to do so.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can students work as a team?

Yes. Students may submit proposals individually or as a team. Each team member must be a Kent State Tuscarawas student and identified on the submission form and complete the required acknowledgment and permission form.

How is the $500 award handled for a team submission?

The $500 award is for the winning proposal. If a team submits the winning proposal, the award will be divided equally among the team members listed at the time of submission.

What file types may I submit?

Digital designs may be submitted as PDF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, DOCX, or PPTX files. Files that require specialized software, such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Procreate, Apple Pages, or HEIC files, should not be submitted. The maximum file size is 100 MB.

May I submit a hand drawn design?

Yes. Hand drawn designs may be scanned or photographed and uploaded. They may also be attached to a printed submission form and delivered in person.

May I use artificial intelligence to create my proposal?

No. Generative artificial intelligence tools may not be used to create, revise, or produce any portion of the proposal, written description, or visual design. The submission must be the original work of the student or student team.

Who is eligible to submit a proposal?

Any student currently enrolled at the Kent State Tuscarawas Campus (online or in person) may submit a proposal.

Does the installation have to be a traditional painted mural?

No. Proposals may include painting, mixed media, mosaics, panels, canvases, collage, dimensional elements, or another visual format appropriate for an indoor public space.

Does the design have to be rectangular?

No. The installation may use creative shapes or arrangements as long as the entire design fits within an area no larger than 18 feet wide by 10 feet high.

Does the design need to show every academic program?

The design should represent academic life and the Tuscarawas Campus community broadly. It does not have to include a separate image or symbol for every program, but it should feel inclusive of the campus as a whole.

May I use copyrighted images, characters, or logos?

No. Students should not include copyrighted images, characters, artwork, or other materials unless they have written permission to use them. Any use of Kent State names, logos, or branding will be subject to university review.

Do I need to know exactly which materials will be used?

No. Students should describe the materials and format they envision as clearly as possible. The Task Force may work with the winning student to adjust materials based on cost, safety, durability, and installation requirements.

Do I need to provide an exact project budget?

No. An estimated material cost is helpful but does not need to be exact. The final budget will be determined after the winning proposal is selected.

Will the winning design be installed exactly as submitted?

Not necessarily. Reasonable changes may be needed because of the space, available funding, materials, accessibility, safety requirements, university approval, or installation process.

Is the winning student required to help create or install the artwork?

No. The winning student or team will be invited to participate but will not be required to help with the installation.

What happens to the winning design?

By accepting the $500 award, the winning student or team grants Kent State University permission to retain, reproduce, resize, adapt, modify, create, install, display, photograph, and publicize the design.

How will the winning proposal be selected?

The Art Installation Task Force will review all eligible submissions and select three finalists. Tuscarawas Campus faculty and staff will then vote to select the winning proposal.

When will the installation be completed?

Planning is expected to begin during the spring 2027 semester. Installation is anticipated for late spring or summer 2027, depending on the selected design, funding, approvals, materials, and facilities scheduling.

May a student or team submit more than one proposal?

Yes. A student or team may submit up to two proposals. Each proposal must be submitted separately with its own completed submission form, description, and visual design.