This fall, Montana State University students have a chance to shape how thousands of people experience the new building that will house MSU’s Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering and Honors College.
 
The engineering college is soliciting student proposals for art to be displayed on three large wall panels in Norm Asbjornson Hall, which is expected to open in early 2019. Proposals are due by Dec. 14, 2018.
 
"Norm Asbjornson Hall is going to be a focus of interdisciplinary activity on our campus,” said Rob Maher, professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and coordinator of the student art competition. “The classrooms, laboratories and public spaces in the building will reflect MSU’s spirit of innovation and collaboration.”

 
The wall panels, each roughly 10 feet tall by 20 feet wide, are prominently located near the building’s walkways and elevators. According to Maher, the best proposals will visually communicate a thoughtful use of all three panels. Artists can also incorporate sound, interactive sensors and other technological features if desired.

 
"We invite students to express their creativity through compelling and meaningful art proposals,” Maher said. “There is no required theme for the proposed artwork, but the selection panel will be looking for works that evoke MSU’s spirit of innovation for the future as well as continuity of our land-grant heritage.”

 
The student or team of students submitting the winning proposal will receive a special honorarium consisting of a $7,000 MSU scholarship split among the team members, as well as funding for materials and installation. Proposals will be evaluated by a panel of faculty, staff, students and community members.

 
Applicants must be MSU students, but the contest is not limited to art majors. All students may participate.
 
Artwork project proposals should fully utilize all three areas to the extent possible for the chosen means of artistic expression. Works may be mounted to the walls as panels, framed objects, sculptural relief up to 1 foot deep, or by other means that accommodate safe and economical installation.
 
Proposals will be accepted Nov. 1 through Dec. 14. The winning proposal will be announced on Jan. 25, 2019, and installation of the completed art will take place in May.
 
For more information and to submit a proposal, visit www.coe.montana.edu/art.