Montana State holds opportunity for students to display artwork in Norm Asbjornson Hall

BOZEMAN — Montana State University students have an opportunity to propose art that will be viewed by thousands of people in Norm Asbjornson Hall, home of MSU’s engineering and honors colleges.

The Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering is soliciting student proposals for art to be displayed on a wall panel 20 feet wide by 10 feet tall on the third floor in the center of the building. Proposals are due by Jan. 19.

“MSU students always amaze us with their creativity and artistic vim. We look forward to receiving this year’s formal proposals,” said Rob Maher, professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and coordinator of the competition. “The competition is open to students from any major who have a compelling story to tell through the art wall opportunity.”

According to Maher, the chosen project will be displayed for an anticipated period of three years.

The new art will replace the installation titled "The Human Collective" by MSU alumnus Holden Roberts, who won the inaugural art competition in 2018 before graduating with a degree in studio arts from MSU's College of Arts and Architecture.

Works of art are also displayed elsewhere in the building. The second floor features the work "Of Transparency and Perspective” by the 2021 competition winner, MSU undergraduate Emma Bergman. The first-floor space is awaiting completion of the work “A Blooming Universe” by Aria Dang, who won the competition last February.

The student or team submitting the winning entry will receive funding for the materials and installation, up to about $5,000, Maher said. The winning team will receive an honorarium of $2,500 split among its members. Proposals will be evaluated by a panel of faculty, staff, students and community members.

Two informational sessions will be held for interested students to tour the project space and ask questions. Attending a drop-in session is not mandatory but is encouraged, Maher said. The gatherings will meet on the third-floor central lobby of Norm Asbjornson Hall on Thursday, Nov. 16, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. and Friday, Dec. 1, from 2 to 3 p.m.

Proposals will be accepted Dec. 1 through Jan. 19. The winning proposal will be announced in early February, and installation of the completed art will occur in May.

For more information and to submit a proposal, visit www.coe.montana.edu/art.