CALL FOR ENTRIES FOR A STAIRCASE DESIGN COMMISSION SPOTLIGHTING AFRICAN AMERICAN LEADERS IN SCIENCE PAST AND PRESENT
Design to be installed on the large outdoor staircase at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas; project is in partnership with the African American Museum, Dallas
PRIZE: $5,000; NO SUBMISSION FEES
ENTRY DEADLINE: OCTOBER 30, 2020
In partnership with the African American Museum, Dallas, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science is conducting a call for entries for a staircase commission to create a vibrantly colored and eye-catching site-specific creative design that celebrates African-American leaders in science – from history and modern day – who have made significant contributions to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). The Staircase Project is presented by Kroger.
The creative design will be reproduced on weatherproof, vinyl materials and professionally installed on the Perot Museum’s large, multi-story outdoor staircase facing Field Street, a main thoroughfare into Downtown Dallas.
To spotlight the artistic talent in the Dallas/Fort Worth region, the Perot Museum will commission an African-American creative designer who resides in North Texas to design the image. Entries will be judged by a diverse, blue-ribbon panel comprised of regional leaders representing the arts, education and STEM business communities. SEE RULES SECTION #1 FOR A LIST OF THE JURIED PANEL.
The winning designer will be awarded a prize of $5,000. The deadline to enter is October 30, 2020, and the winner will be notified of his/her selection by no later than December 1. There is no submission fee.
For images and videos of past staircase installations along with design templates, CLICK HERE.
Entrants will be provided a suggested list of extraordinary scientists, inventors and innovators - both local and national - to inspire creativity for the design. These leaders include famed agricultural inventor and “Wizard of Tuskegee” George Washington Carver, NASA’s Mary Winston Jackson (who was portrayed in Hidden Figures), father of the blood bank Dr. Charles Drew, and telecommunications inventor Shirley Ann Jackson, the first African-American woman to earn an MIT doctorate. North Texas STEM leaders (born and raised in Dallas) include Dr. John H. Hopps, an American physicist and deputy Undersecretary of Defense, and Otis Frank Boykin, an engineer, entrepreneur and American inventor with approximately 26 patents. Other noteworthy African-American STEM leaders also may be included, and a mix of men and women leaders from both history and modern day is recommended. SEE END OF RULES DOCUMENT FOR PHOTOS, BIOS AND QUOTES.
The staircase design may be used for other graphic purposes, such as elevator signage, crosswalk banners, window graphics, posters and more. However, the Museums are not obligated to use any artist submissions for any purpose.
Participants must be a U.S. citizen 18 years of age and older, and collaborations of up to two individuals are allowed. Submission requirements include an overall image and detailed specs, artist statement, short bio and photo for promotional purposes. Finalists will participate in mandatory interviews – conducted in person or virtually – with the judges. Additionally, the winning designer may participate in media interviews and other promotional efforts. The winning designer will be required to sign additional documents such as an Appearance Release and/or license prior to participating in any interviews or other appearances.
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is located at 2201 N. Field St., Dallas, Texas 75201. For more information, contact info@perotmuseum.org.
Because the Perot Museum and the African American Museum are both 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, entries must be non-political and non-violent in nature.
The top cultural attraction in Dallas/Fort Worth and a Michelin Green Guide three-star destination, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science’s mission is to inspire minds through nature and science by delivering exciting, engaging and innovative visitor and outreach experiences through its education, exhibition, and research and collections programming for children, students, teachers, families and life-long learners. Learn more at perotmuseum.org.
The African American Museum, Dallas, located in Dallas’ historic Fair Park, is the only museum in the Southwestern United States devoted to the collection, preservation and display of African American artistic, cultural and historical materials that relate to the African-American experience. Learn more at aamdallas.org.
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