Frequently Asked Questions

This competition is part of OU’s strategic vision to elevate the arts on campus and strengthen its role as a “preeminent steward of place” and vibrant cultural hub. President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz initiated the Spirit of Place project through OU’s Cultural Ambassadors initiative to enrich campus life and engage the broader community. The new artwork will highlight OU’s excellence and aspirations, extending the university’s reach and reputation as a destination where bold ideas and artistic expression flourish. In short, OU is launching this competition to inspire our campus, honor our values and leave a lasting cultural landmark for generations to come.

The competition is organized by Oakland University’s Spirit of Place Public Arts Committee, which includes OU professors, administrators and staff and art professionals from major Detroit area art museums, ensuring a blend of academic and museum expertise guiding the process. The project is made possible by a generous private donation dedicated to public art at OU, with additional infrastructure support from the university. A total of $250,000 has been allocated for the commissioned artwork, which will cover the artist’s fee and production of the piece. OU will also provide in-kind support such as site preparation, installation assistance and long-term maintenance of the sculpture.

We are seeking an outstanding, original sculpture or installation that can serve as a landmark on campus and resonate with the campus community. The artwork should be contemporary and visually engaging, while reflecting Oakland University’s core values and mission. Artists are encouraged to interpret the theme “Spirit of Place” in a way that might underscore elements of the OU experience, for example, the pursuit of knowledge and truth, the importance of free expression and civil discourse, unity-in-diversity, community engagement or solving real-world problems. The piece should inspire pride and contemplation, a symbol of who we are as an institution and what we aspire to be.

Importantly, the artwork must be suitable for long-term outdoor display in Michigan’s climate, which includes temperatures that are at times below freezing in winter and extremely hot in summer. Durability and safety are critical. For this reason, proposals should not include water features, flowing water or fountains; nor should they include moving parts or electronic components such as LED lights or interactive screens. The best proposals will be robust in construction, made of lasting materials such as metals, stone, etc., while still being creative and innovative. We seek a permanent outdoor sculpture that is artistically enriching, thought-provoking and built to last. It will be a piece that will catalyze conversation and become an integral part of OU’s landscape and identity.

The campus site location (as well as examples of other large-scale outdoor sculptures on campus) can be found in materials attached to the Spirit of Place FAQs. The location is highly visible, adjacent to a main campus entry that is close to a major freeway exit. The location is next to the largest classroom building on campus, and will anchor a future campus green commons area. This central location will ensure that the artwork will be easily accessible and seen by students, faculty, staff and campus visitors. By placing the piece in a significant location on campus, OU aims to integrate the artwork into daily campus life and symbolize the university’s values in the campus’ physical environment. For context, OU’s campus is a 1,500-acre setting in suburban Detroit, known for its mix of modern architecture, natural scenery and large-scale outdoor sculptures, which forms an inspiring backdrop for public art.

Yes. The intent of the Spirit of Place commission is to create a permanent addition to Oakland University’s campus art collection. The resulting artwork should have an expected lifespan of many decades. This permanent installation will join other esteemed artworks on campus and is intended to inspire future generations of the OU community. Because of this, durability and maintenance considerations are very important in the design. The selected artist’s work will effectively become part of OU’s legacy and campus environment moving forward. Oakland University is committed to caring for the piece as needed over time, and the university will assume responsibility for routine maintenance, preservation and conservation of the sculpture. While artists should design for longevity, they will not be expected to perform maintenance themselves after installation.

Professional artists and artist teams are invited to apply. We welcome applications from experienced sculptors, public artists, designers or interdisciplinary artist teams who have a proven track record of executing creative projects. While an extensive resume of public art commissions is not required, applicants must demonstrate the qualifications and ability to carry out a project of this scale in an outdoor setting, through a portfolio of past work that shows artistic excellence and relevant experience. This is a national call open to artists who are living in the United States. Both individual artists and collaborative teams may submit proposals. If applying as a team, you must designate a lead contact and submit a joint application.

The deadline for first-round proposals is 2:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time on Friday, March 20, 2026. All required application materials must be submitted by that time. We recommend that you don’t wait until the very last minute to avoid technical difficulties; late submissions will not be accepted. If there are any changes or extensions to the deadline, they will be announced on the competition webpage, but at this time March 20, 2026, 2:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time is a firm deadline. See the Timeline in this FAQ for the full schedule.

The first round of the competition is an open Call for Proposals (CFP) submission. There is no application fee to enter. All applications should be submitted to Maria Ebner-Smith, Director of Purchasing, Oakland University, [email protected]. Your email subject line should read “Spirit of Place Proposal.” Use this format to label your files: “Last name, First name, Resume”; “Last name, First name, Proposal letter”; “Last name, First name, Work Samples” or “Portfolio“; Last name, First name, References”. You can make the entire proposal into one PDF if you prefer; if so label it “Last name, First name, Full Proposal”.

Your submission should include the following materials:

• Artist Information & Resume or CV: Provide your name (or team names), contact information (address, phone, email) and a professional resume or CV. For team applications, include resumes for each core team member and identify one lead contact. The resume should highlight your artistic background, relevant experience with public art or large projects, education, exhibitions, awards/grants and any other credentials that demonstrate your ability to execute the proposed work.
• Proposal Letter (Letter of Interest/Intent): A written proposal describing your interest in this project and your vision for the Spirit of Place artwork. You do not need to present a finalized design at this stage. Instead, explain the idea or theme you would pursue and how it connects to OU’s identity and the goals of the competition. You can discuss initial thoughts on materials; scale and placement; and how your artwork would engage the campus community. Additionally, discuss any relevant experience you have with public art projects, including in brief how you have handled fabrication, installation or community engagement in the past. The selection committee will be looking for a clear, compelling vision and an understanding of OU’s context in this letter, along with some comments on your qualifications for creating a large-scale sculptural work.
• Work Samples/Portfolio: A portfolio of completed artworks, especially any past public art or sculptural works. Include high-quality images (photographs or renderings) of significant past projects. We recommend submitting 5–10 images of previous works that best illustrate your capabilities (for teams, this can include works by any team members). Each image should have a brief caption or description (title, location, date, materials, dimensions and if applicable a one-line description or purpose of the work). These samples should give the committee members confidence in your artistic skill and craftsmanship.
• References: The names and contact information for up to three professional references who can speak to your art practice and reliability. Helpful references would include people familiar with your past public art, large scale projects or large commissions (such as project managers, curators or collaborators). References will only be contacted at the semi-finalist stage, but you should include them in your initial submission.

All application materials must be submitted by the stated deadline. Incomplete applications or those that don’t adhere to the guidelines will not be reviewed. You can reach out to the competition committee at [email protected] with questions.

For the first round, as noted above, you are not required to include detailed drawings, scale models, budgets or engineering plans. A vision and evidence of your qualifications are sufficient for this round. The purpose of this first round is to identify qualified artists with compelling ideas, so focus on having a clear and engaging conceptual vision, that demonstrates your creative abilities. While you can include sketches or concept images, these are optional at this stage. Detailed design work is expected only from the shortlisted semi-finalists in the next stage of the competition.

For the second round, if you are selected as a semi-finalist, you will be asked to develop a more detailed proposal. The second phase will require drawn renderings or digital models of the proposed sculpture, a more comprehensive description (including dimensions and specific materials), and an initial budget outline and fabrication plan. Semi-finalists will have time and support to produce these materials. An honorarium will be provided to help cover proposal development costs. The committee will work with semi-finalists, providing more guidance about site specifics and answering questions.

Each artist or team may submit only one proposal for consideration. Please put forth your single best idea. Because of the expected volume of entries and fairness in evaluation, we cannot accept multiple different project ideas from the same artist. If you have several concepts in mind, you will need to choose one to develop for your submission. Duplicate submissions by the same applicant will be discarded. You are allowed to make edits to your application up until the deadline. For example, if you realize you need to correct something, you can resubmit a revised proposal before the deadline. After the deadline, no further changes can be made.

The project budget for the Spirit of Place commission is $250,000. This amount will serve as the all-inclusive commissioning award to the winning artist (or team) to realize the proposed artwork from concept to installation. This budget is expected to cover all major costs of the project to encompass the cost of bringing your vision to life on campus, including the artist’s design fee; materials; fabrication, including any subcontractors or labor needed for fabrication; and transportation of the artwork to campus. We want to ensure the artist is fairly compensated and that the work can be executed to a high standard within this budget. Artists should plan their proposals with this financial scope in mind.

The $250,000 should be sufficient to create the artwork itself without assuming additional funds. Oakland University has, however, also budgeted an additional $100,00 for a variety of certain peripheral costs, such as site prep (e.g. pouring a concrete pad or footing if required, electrical hookups if needed for lighting the artwork, landscaping around the piece, etc.); long-term maintenance, including upkeep, conservation and potential repair; and travel expenses as noted below. Precise specifics of budget allocation will be discussed in the second proposal phase. Semi-finalists will be asked to submit a preliminary budget breakdown to demonstrate feasibility.

The donor’s intent is that the funds primarily go toward the creation of an inspiring artwork and the artist’s fee. OU is committed to working with the artist to maximize the impact of the budget and will assist with aspects like permits or heavy equipment if needed during installation.

For the semi-finalists and the finalist, Oakland University will cover airfare or mileage, lodging and a per diem for a site visit, meeting with the committee and making public presentations about their projects, as well as honoraria (see the next question) for semi-finalists and the finalist. The final selected artist will have additional travel costs, such as for coming to campus for installation supervision and the unveiling, covered by the university.

OU understands that large public art projects sometimes require technical consultations, engineering reviews or specialized installation services. The university will provide support in these areas so that they do not become burdensome costs for the artist. For instance, if structural engineering certification or architectural input is needed for safety, OU can help coordinate those services, and the university may cover certain consulting fees or handle permitting requirements. We want the artist to focus on creative excellence, so OU’s facilities management and planning teams will be partners in making sure the piece is installed securely and according to code. In your proposal budget, you should account for typical fabrication and artist labor costs, but know that for extraordinary expenses (like hiring a crane for installation or digging foundations), the university will work with you on logistics and may bear some of those direct costs.

The exact division of costs will be negotiated in the commissioning agreement with the selected artist. Again, the $250,000 award is primarily for design and fabrication; OU will not let necessary installation logistics or approvals be a roadblock and will assist with those as needed, whether within or on top of the award.

Yes. After the initial review, three to five artists and/or teams will be selected to advance to the second round of the competition. Each semi-finalist will receive an honorarium to support the development of a more detailed proposal, which will be due in June or July of 2026. We recognize that creating refined designs and scale models or renderings involves significant time and expense. While the exact amount is to be determined, the honorarium will be commensurate with the effort. Semi-finalists will also be invited to visit OU’s campus in Fall 2026 to tour the site, meet with the committee and present their proposals in a public forum to students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the local community. While the input gained from the community is non-binding, it will offer the committee valuable insight into how each proposed artwork might resonate with its intended audience.

The university will cover the airfare or mileage, lodging and per diem for these trips, as well as the honorarium. Our goal is to ensure that artists are not out-of-pocket for participating in the later stages of the competition. The honorarium is yours to keep regardless of the final outcome. It is separate from the $250,000 project budget, which goes only to the final selected artist. We see the honorarium both as a resource to help you produce materials and as a “thank you” for your interim work. Details on semi-finalist stipends and travel arrangements will be provided when semi-finalists are notified, but rest assured that OU values your time and will compensate those selected as semi-finalists.

The Spirit of Place competition and resulting art installation will unfold over the next two years. Below is the anticipated timeline, and is subject to modification:

• Call Launch and Submission Period (January to March 2026): The nationally publicized official Call for Proposals opens in January 2026. Interested artists should submit their applications by 2:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time on March 20, 2026.
• Initial Review and Selection of Semi-finalists (March to April 2026): The selection committee will review all submissions immediately after the deadline. During March and early April 2026, they will evaluate the proposals and choose a short list of semi-finalists based on the stated criteria. We expect to announce the finalists by mid-April 2026.
• Semi-finalist Phase of Creating Detailed Proposals (mid-April to June/July 2026): The semi-finalists will be given further guidelines and time to develop full proposals. This includes creating detailed designs, renderings or models, a project plan and an initial budget. Semi-finalists will likely have about 8–10 weeks for this work. Final detailed proposals due from finalists in June/July 2026 (specific date TBD). The committee will review these in depth.
• Campus Visits and Presentations (Fall 2026): Semi-finalists will be invited to Oakland University’s campus in September 2026 (exact dates to be scheduled), to tour the site, meet with the Spirit of Place Committee to present their proposals in person for Q&A and feedback. Each semi-finalist will also participate in an on-campus public presentation or artist talk, allowing the university community to learn about each design. The university will solicit input from the community through surveys or open forums. This input will offer valuable insight into how each proposed artwork might resonate with its intended audience, and is meant to inform, but not be binding, on the committee’s decision.
• Final Selection (Late 2026): After the semi-finalist presentations and public feedback, the Spirit of Place Committee will deliberate and select a finalist’s proposal in late 2026. We expect the official announcement of the selected artist and proposal to occur in November 2026. The selected artist will then enter into a commissioning agreement with Oakland University.
• Design Development and Fabrication (Late 2026 – 2027): The selected artist will refine the design as needed, working closely with OU and engineers or fabricators as needed. There will be an approval process for final design, engineering and budget in early 2027. Fabrication of the artwork will likely take place over several months in 2027. The timeline for this will depend on the complexity of the piece, with the artist providing a proposed schedule. OU will coordinate preparatory site work during this period.
• Installation and Unveiling (Spring through Fall 2027): On-site installation of the sculpture is planned to begin in late Spring 2027. The goal is to have the artwork completed and installed by September 2027. Once installation is finished, Oakland University will host a formal unveiling/dedication event to celebrate the artist and the new sculpture, likely in early fall 2027, when students and faculty are on campus to participate. This will be a momentous occasion marking the addition of the artwork to campus.

Note: The timeline above is subject to adjustment. If any dates shift, updated information will be provided on the competition website and directly to participants. The committee will strive to keep the process on schedule, but factors such as the volume of submissions or coordination of finalist visits could lead to minor changes. We will keep everyone informed.

After the semi-finalist presentations, the committee will meet to deliberate and make the final decision. The final selected proposal will be chosen by the committee based on a holistic assessment of artistic excellence, alignment with OU’s vision and practical viability. The selected artist will then be officially commissioned for the project, and all entrants will be notified of the outcome. The decision of the committee will be final. Throughout this process, fairness and transparency are priorities. Our aim is to ensure the best possible artwork is selected through a rigorous but supportive selection procedure.

The jury will evaluate proposals and artists using several key criteria:

• Artistic Excellence and Originality: The creativity, artistic quality and conceptual strength of the proposed idea. We are looking for a compelling vision that demonstrates originality and a high level of artistic skill. The proposed artwork should have a strong aesthetic impact and conceptual depth.
• Relevance to Theme and OU’s Identity: How well the proposal responds to the competition’s theme and goals. The artwork should meaningfully reflect Oakland University’s spirit including its values, mission and sense of place. Proposals that thoughtfully integrate OU’s identity (such education, inclusivity, innovation, community) and engage with the site/context will be rated highly.
• Feasibility and Technical Viability: The practicality of realizing the project as described. This includes the appropriateness of materials and construction for long-term outdoor display, the structural soundness of the design, adherence to safety standards and whether it can be executed within the budget and timeline. A concept might be excellent, but it also needs to be buildable and maintainable. The committee will also assess if the artist has a clear plan for fabrication and installation.
• Artist’s Experience and Capacity: The background and track record of the artist or team. We will consider the quality of past work and the artist’s demonstrated ability to deliver projects of similar scope. Experience with public art commissions or large-scale sculptures is a strong plus. The committee will look for evidence that the artist can manage the budget, work with fabricators/engineers, meet deadlines and collaborate professionally. Essentially, we want to be confident that the selected artist can successfully execute the proposal as envisioned, based on their prior accomplishments.
• Community Engagement and Inspiration: While more subjective, we will consider how the artwork might engage its audience. Does the concept invite interaction, conversation or education? Will it resonate with diverse campus and community members? The ability of the artwork to serve as a focal point for campus pride and dialogue is important.

During this third and final stage, the above criteria will be revisited in light of the detailed presentations. The final decision will weigh all these factors. The selected proposal will be one that marries artistic excellence with thematic relevance and practical feasibility, is an artwork that can be created and installed successfully, and is art that will inspire the Oakland University community. The committee will also ensure the selected piece fits the donor’s vision and the university’s expectations for this significant investment.

Yes, to a degree. Oakland University is committed to transparency and inclusivity in this process, so we have built in opportunities for community input. Students, faculty, staff and alumni will be invited to provide feedback through surveys or comment forms about the semi-finalist proposals. Additionally, the semi-finalist presentations will give attendees a chance to ask questions or express their reactions. All of this input will be collected and reviewed by the selection committee. However, the final decision is not made by a public vote. The committee, with its expertise and the project’s goals in mind, will make the selection it believes is best for OU in the long run. The public feedback is advisory, and one factor among many.

We believe this hybrid approach balances professional judgment with community engagement. If you are a member of the OU community, your voice can be heard in this process, and if you are an artist, know that part of your audience will be weighing in. The final artwork should ultimately be one that engages and delights this community, and their perspectives are valued.

Yes. Once an artist is commissioned, OU will become an active partner in bringing the project to fruition. The university will handle any necessary campus approvals, permits or code compliance issues related to installing the artwork on our property. We have a Facilities Management team and project managers who are experienced in campus construction and installations. They will work closely with the artist to plan the installation logistics. If the artwork requires a foundation or modifications to the site, OU will coordinate those preparations. The selected artist should be prepared to collaborate with engineers or architects if the design calls for it. Oakland University will also ensure that proper safety reviews are done so that the artwork meets all safety standards for public art. We will schedule installation at a time that minimizes disruption to campus and provides the artist ample access. Volunteers or labor for assembly can be arranged as appropriate. In summary, the artist will not be left to figure out installation alone; we will support you every step of the way so that the process is smooth and successful. This partnership approach allows the artist to focus on the creative aspects while the university assists with the technical and logistical heavy lifting.

Once the winning sculpture is installed in Spring 2027, Oakland University plans to celebrate it in a public unveiling or dedication ceremony. This event will include the artist, project donors, university leadership and the campus community, as well as media coverage to highlight the addition.

The artwork will become a permanent feature of campus. OU will incorporate the piece into campus tours and orientation, and develop interpretive signage or plaque at the site describing the artwork and the artist. We envision that classes and student groups will engage with the sculpture as part of the academic and cultural life on campus. Over time, the sculpture may also be a focal point for events or traditions (for example, photo opportunities at graduation or a gathering spot for activities). The university will maintain the artwork as part of its public art collection, performing periodic inspections, cleaning and any conservation required to keep it in good condition.

The artist will, of course, be credited in all materials, and we hope to keep a strong relationship with the artist as a member of the extended OU family. Any future use of the sculpture’s image, in university marketing, etc., will appropriately credit the artist. The Spirit of Place sculpture will stand alongside other notable artworks on our campus, contributing to OU’s cultural atmosphere. We see it as an enduring symbol of OU’s values and a source of inspiration and pride.

All submission materials including CV(s)/resume(s), Proposal letter, Portfolio, and References must be submitted as PDFs. While large files will be accepted, they will automatically be converted to a Google link when emailed. This will not in any way negatively impact your submission. As noted above, submissions should be emailed to Maria Ebner-Smith, Director of Purchasing, Oakland University, at [email protected], with a subject line of “Spirit of Place Proposal.”

If you have reviewed these FAQs and the competition materials but still have questions, please feel free to reach out! For any inquiries about the Spirit of Place Public Art Competition, you can contact the organizing committee via email at [email protected]. You may also visit the official Spirit of Place Competition webpage for updates and detailed guidelines. We are happy to assist with clarifications about eligibility, submission requirements or any other aspect of the process. Throughout the competition, we will also post any additional FAQs and answers on the website so that all applicants have access to the same information. We encourage interested artists to get in touch sooner rather than later if something is unclear. Good communication is part of making this competition a success for everyone. Thank you for your interest, and we look forward to seeing your creative proposals!