Dirt-O-Rama Summer 2012 Juried Exhibition Proposal Guidelines Page 1 of 5

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1 Page 1 of 5 Background In 2003, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum presented its first major outdoor exhibition, Big Bugs, to support its educational mission, build community attendance and membership, and generate revenue. Its success led to Totally Terrific Treehouses (2004), Wild About Birds (2005), Secret Gardens (2006), Art to A- maze (2007), Treeology (2008), Waterosity (2009), Powerhouse Plants (2010) and Steelroots (2011). Each exhibition is integral to seasonal programming at the Arboretum. For 2012 will unearth hidden stories from the lively, teeming world beneath our feet, featuring five winning entries from a juried exhibition process. Designs will be sited prominently around the Arboretum s main Walking Area Gardens. More than 175,000 visitors are expected during the exhibition. Overview of THEME. The exhibition will explore these key concepts: Beneath our feet lies a diverse, hidden, often overlooked frontier, teeming with activity Soil is the earth s fragile and essential living skin, that sustains us all In a rich intersection of art with science, will provide intriguing perspectives with wide appeal and multiple entry points for visitors with of all ages and interests. The overall exhibition will bring together the voices of artists, designers, landscape architects, educators, environmental organizations, architects, scientists and horticulturists with creative installations that may be thought-provoking, playful, informative, interactive or all of the above. COMPONENTS. The three primary components of will be 1) Art of the Earth Juried Exhibit. Five winning designs installed throughout Arboretum gardens and adjacent natural areas. 2) Smithsonian s Dig It! Exhibit (Visitor Center Island) Interpretive signs and interactive display stops that explore soil profiles, soil structure, soil stewardship; augmented by an MLA-developed station with growing lively soil tips for gardeners. 3) Compost Lab: Gardener s Gold (Home Demonstration Fruit & Vegetable Garden) Interpretive signs and interactive displays on returning organics to the soil with successful composting, compost critters in the soil food web, how humus improves soil. PROGRAMMING. Exhibition-related programming will include ongoing Free Family Weekends (e.g. Marvels of Mud, Crazy Compostables), a Get the Real Dirt Discovery Cart on Saturdays, and a Mudpie Kitchen in the newly opened Green Play Yard on weekends. This model early childhood play yard will demonstrate ways to bring plants and nearby nature into childcare centers, preschools and family backyards for children ages 0-5 yrs. Summer 2012 at the Arboretum will be further enhanced by a commissioned, community-participation based sculpture, created by adobe artists Bill & Athena Steen during a three-week residency in July.

2 Page 2 of 5 Art of the Earth Juried Exhibit The five winning designs in s juried exhibition will be inspired by the soil, our earth s fragile skin, the remarkable life-forms that inhabit it, and our human ties to it. These will be installed outdoors, i.e. exposed to the elements. Potential installation sites are located throughout the Walking Area Gardens in the vicinity of the Oswald Visitor Center and Snyder Building, at the Learning Center, in high-visibility areas overlooking the Parking Lots and Picnic Area, and in adjacent natural areas. Designers may be inspired to explore one or more of the exhibition s sub-themes listed below, or they may prefer to approach the topic from a completely fresh and different vantage point. Life Beneath Our Feet Soil teems with life, especially microbes. Latest data suggests there is vastly more living matter beneath the soil s surface than above it (e.g. two tons of microbes under an acre of farmland). Cycles & Change Soil is 50% air and water, 50% bits of rock (sand, clay, silt) and humus. Materials are in constant circulation, always being assembled, broken down and rebuilt during continuous cycles of life, death and decay. Cradle & Sustainer of Life Recent scientific thought is that life on earth emerged not in the primordial sea but underground. We are all of the earth, and will return to it. We are excited about the possibilities for an exhibition that features the interplay of art, science, nature and the designed environment to envision new ways of living in harmony with our surroundings. Collaborations that reach across disciplines, for example between an artist and an environmental organization, or between a scientist and a designer, may yield a rich result. Timeline & Selection Process Mandatory pre-proposal meeting Monday, September 19, 2011 Deadline for design submissions November 7 Winners announced November 28 Entry pickup December 5-8 Meetings with designers January 9-13, 2012 Designs installed May 7-25 VIP Reception May 31 Exhibition open Saturday, June 2 Sunday, October 14, 2012 A panel of jurors will select 5 winning entries for installation from among those submitted. Each winner will be awarded a stipend of $4,000 toward construction and installation costs. Should your design require additional resources for completion, we encourage you to seek collaborative partners or sponsors.

3 Page 3 of 5 Winning designers may choose to offer their installations for sale through the Arboretum Gift Store. A price list will be maintained at the Gift Store in the Oswald Visitor Center. The Arboretum commission will be 50%. Delivery of the installation to the purchaser must occur after the exhibition closes October 14, 2012, and will be the sole responsibility of the designer. Design Submission Guidelines Anyone is welcome to submit a design, either as an individual or a group. Teaming between designers is acceptable and encouraged. Those interested in submitting a design must attend a mandatory pre-design meeting at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum on Monday, September 19, :30-5:30pm. Deadline for design submission is Monday, November 7, No designs will be accepted after that date. Mailed entries must be postmarked by November 7. Submissions may also be delivered to the Arboretum s Oswald Visitor Center on Friday through Sunday, November 4-6. Building hours are Monday Saturday, 8am 4:30pm, Sunday, 10am 4:30pm. Mailing Address: 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, MN The Arboretum is located nine miles west of I-494 on State Highway 5 in Chanhassen. It is the Arboretum s desire to have the primary experience of each design accessible to our visitors (ADA accessible preferred but not required). If your design is not completely accessible, please give careful consideration to how you will maximize the experience for all visitors. All entries should be submitted to the attention of Sandy Tanck, Manager of Interpretation, and must include: a. Title and narrative description of design concept that clearly communicates your interpretation of the exhibition theme b. Rendering(s) that conveys the visual effect of your design concept (format may be photographs, perspective sketches and /or model measuring no more than 24 x 24 ) Renderings may also be submitted as digital files on DVD or CD, but only in addition to, and NOT in place of photographs, perspective sketches and/or models c. Application form (including artistic medium or materials list, budget, up to three identified locations listed in order of preference, short biography or resume of designer/s) d. Application fee of $10 by check made out to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum A photographic and on-the-ground tour of potential sites selected by the Arboretum will be provided at the mandatory pre-proposal meeting. Alternative photographs and sites selected by designers may also be included with submissions. Please select and prioritize up to three locations for installation of your design. Some designs will by nature be site-specific; since the exhibition includes a number of designs, those suitable for more than one site may have more opportunity.

4 Page 4 of 5 The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum reserves the right to use any/all of the images, renderings and models designers provide for the promotion of the exhibition. Photos of winning designs will be placed on the Arboretum s website ( Renderings and/or photos of winning design models may be displayed at the Arboretum before and during the exhibition. The name of the designer(s) will be listed in the exhibition brochure, website, press kit, and other promotional materials. Listings will include up to three collaborative partners and will not include sponsor names or logos. Judging Criteria A panel of six jurors will review the design submissions and select five winning designs and two alternates, in the event the original winners are unable to participate. The jurors will carefully consider each submission s artistic merit. Does the design offer an engaging, interactive experience that inspires a fresh perspective on the exhibition s theme? Will it be compelling and appeal to visitors of diverse ages and interests? Does it offer a wow factor? Creative approaches are encouraged. Jurors will also consider practical issues such as executable design and ease of maintenance. Does the proposal provide evidence the designer(s) will be able to pull it off and deliver what is depicted? Will the design as proposed be able to withstand outdoor conditions on the Arboretum grounds (i.e. weather and summer visitation) with minimal or no maintenance concerns? Does the design present any hazards for visitors who experience it? Construction & Installation Guidelines Please help us maintain our permanent collections by protecting our landscape. The ongoing health and structural integrity of the landscape is vitally important to the mission of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Therefore no permanent or invasive devices will be allowed to be attached to any trees, shrubs or other plants. Please review these details carefully as you develop your design proposal: It is the responsibility of the designer to arrange for the construction of the design and its installation at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Installation may commence beginning Monday, May 7, 2012, and must be completed - without exception and in its entirety, including any artist-provided signage - by Friday, May 25, during regular business hours. It is also the responsibility of the designer to disassemble and remove the design from the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum during the week of October 15-19, No nails, bolts, hooks, etc. can be used on any horticultural specimens. Nothing can be applied that may girdle or rub the bark of trees or otherwise damage any horticultural specimen. Special non-abrasive slings and tree protectors are available from Arboriculture Suppliers. Contact us if you have questions about this.

5 Page 5 of 5 Construction of a design with footings is permitted if no plant roots are disturbed. Without exception, no painting or staining of any horticultural specimens. No parking or use of heavy equipment except on paving, to avoid compacting soil and root zones. Boardwalks or several inches of woodchips (available free at the Arboretum with advance notice) will be installed in high traffic areas to avoid compaction. Consider accessibility of your design for people of all ages and abilities. If the entire design is not accessible there must be ways for everyone to experience your design. Design must withstand weather and wind, and remain in good condition throughout the event. Designs may be site specific, so an in-person review of the site is required. Please specify the location for your design and whether your design can be modified for other sites. Existing plants may not be moved or dramatically pruned. The Arboretum is not responsible for any damage due to vandalism, weather, Acts of God, etc. Designer is responsible for any repairs to the installation needed for the duration of the exhibition. Questions If you have questions, please contact Sandy Tanck, Manager of Interpretation, tanck001@umn.edu,