Request for Proposals (RFP)

Ragdale Tree Project Residency: Diversity of Birds

Chicago Sculpture International, in collaboration with the Ragdale Foundation, is seeking experienced artists and artist teams to give a fifth season to a grand elm on the Ragdale Campus in Lake Forest, IL, by turning it into a sculpture.  We are looking for a variety of beautiful, original, unique artistic approaches that will celebrate the diversity of birds in the area and become a distinguishing feature on the Ragdale Foundation’s campus.

Each of the five artists chosen will be working on one of the five large branches of the tree and collaborating on carving the designed wings on the west side of the tree. The approach to the branch sculptures can be additive and/or subtractive. The branches are approximately 8-15 ft. tall.  To get an idea of the variety of ways to create a tree sculpture, please visit the Chicago Tree Project’s site www.chicagotreeproject.org.

For this proposal, each artist should submit qualifications that address projects of similar scale. We are looking for evidence that the artist is comfortable working with the appropriate equipment and at heights required for this project. Selected artists must follow safety criteria and are encouraged to complete an OSHA scaffolding certification course.

This RFP is open to professional artists or artist teams 18 years of age or older.  Artists whose proposals are accepted, if they are not already CSI members, will be asked to join.  There are many membership benefits, including exhibition and networking opportunities, a presence on our website and access to valuable professional information.  See what we’re all about at:  www.chicagosculpture.org. 

Compensation/Stipend:  A two-week Ragdale Residency and $800 paid on completion of the sculpted branch.

Please keep in mind the following criteria:

• Your approach will not compromise the integrity of the tree.

• Due to the condemned nature of the tree, the Ragdale Foundation reserves the right to remove it at their discretion.

• Objects created will not help people to climb the tree or cause attached objects to fall or need maintenance.

• We will provide the tree/site scaffold during sculpting for a one-week period.

• Also, sculptors must have, according to CSI, “Commercial General Liability Insurance (Primary and Umbrella) on an occurrence basis with limits not less than $1,000,000 single limit per occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate for bodily injury, personal injury and property damage.  The Ragdale Foundation is to be named as an Additional Insured on a Primary, non-contributory basis.”

The tree at Ragdale

About the residency

Ragdale is one of the largest interdisciplinary artists’ communities in the country. Ragdale residents represent a cross-section of ages, cultures, experiences, and mediums, for a diverse and vibrant community.

In the session at Ragdale, artists-in-residence will enjoy uninterrupted time for work and creativity, a supportive environment, dynamic artist exchanges, 50 acres of idyllic prairie, a 7- acre historically significant campus, and a family-style dinner each evening.  See more about us at Ragdale.

The two-week residency will take place between May 20 and June 7, 2024.

How to Apply

Application deadline: Monday, October 2, 2023, 11:59 pm CST

You may propose two concepts, but only one will be accepted. In other words, in the section "Describe your proposed project(s)," describe one or two concepts.  Your concept drawing(s)/description(s) should show or tell how you would design a branch sculpture.

Submission materials:

6 digital images and a completed application.

Please send images as JPGs and application as PDF.

Images should be of proposal drawings for this project and relevant past work.  Please send images as jpegs (150dpi, max 800k), and indicate the file name in the following format:

1. Lastname_title.jpg (e.g., 1. Rodin_The Thinker.jpg; 2. Rodin_proposal drawing.jpg, etc.).

Submit this application, along with your images, to info@chicagosculpture.org.

Your subject line will be “Ragdale Foundation Tree Project 2024 Proposal.”

Click here to download the RFP and application.
.doc version
PDF version