Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest, a 30-minute drive South of Louisville, KY is thrilled to announce the launch of L+A+N+D (Landscape + Art + Nature + Design), an exciting, new initiative that annually celebrates innovative design concepts for immersive outdoor installations on a grand scale that will spark imaginations, conversations, and a deeper appreciation of the natural world.
Designed and constructed by artists, architects, landscape architects, designers, and creatives, successful L+A+N+D proposals provide experiences with topics addressing humans - connection to nature, beauty in the landscape, biodiversity, conservation, sustainability, and climate change. The selected experiences are implemented via a stipend to the applicant(s), and a construction budget for fabrication and installation expenses.
Applicants are encouraged to review the application information listed below and download the complete RFP before submitting a proposal.
Questions may be emailed to landart@bernheim.org.
View the RFP Submit a Proposal
Submission Deadline: August 21, 2023
RFP At a Glance
Bernheim seeks regional, national, and international proposals from creatives of all kinds, with the broadest range of diverse perspectives and experiences. While not required, applicants are encouraged to form multidisciplinary teams with (but not limited to) other artists, architects, ecologists, scientists, and/or engineers.
To keep this program accessible to all, there is no fee to apply to L+A+N+D.
Please consider the following keywords, phrases, messages, and goals as inspiration for proposal
development.
- Large-scale, immersive
- Sustainable
- Interactive/Engaging
- Playful/Whimsical
- Accessible: Both Physically and Conceptually
- Impactful
- Striking
- Unique/Beautiful
- Innovative/Experimental
- Multisensory
- Regenerative/Renewable
- L+A+N+D will strengthen Bernheim’s mission of connecting people with nature through the lens of art and public engagement, positioning the organization further in its vision of being a national treasure and leader in ecological stewardship.
- L+A+N+D will inspire and connect everyone to nature through art. It may provide unique experiences to those who might not visit art galleries or museums or have a known interest in art.
- L+A+N+D is an experience of discovery that fosters environmental knowledge and advocacy from a varied group of contemporary voices.
- L+A+N+D demonstrates that sustainability can be beautiful and engaging.
- To contribute to the region’s cultural vitality with an innovative public arts program that excites the greater community.
- To hear new voices and perspectives on nature and climate crisis issues through creative experiences and expressions.
- To develop into a major showcase of environmental design.
- To develop programming around L+A+N+D experiences that inspires sustainability practices at home and within communities which motivate people to act in protecting the natural world.
- Relativity to Bernheim’s mission of connecting people to nature and the goals of L+A+N+D
- Artistic excellence, innovation, and unique approaches to the L+A+N+D site
- Accessibility to Bernheim visitors and how the work serves to activate or enhance public space
- Creative use of materials that have minimal impact on the environment
- How structurally sound, safe, resilient to weather, and heavy use by the public
- Visual impact, including interactivity and scale/scope of the work
- Demonstrated ability to realize the work through detailed and realistic budget and installation plan
Located near the Arboretum area of Bernheim, the L+A+N+D site is relatively flat and contains both open and wooded edges with trees that range in height from 6’ to 60’ tall (1.8 m to 18 m). A dedicated path with boardwalk access through wooded lots offers multiple opportunities for installing artwork in nearby locations. Installations may range in size from 400 to 1600 sq ft (122 to 490 sq. m). Height of experiences is limited only by engineering and safety. Learn more through this expanded L+A+N+D site description.
Kentucky has a moderate humid temperate climate, with sufficient rainfall. It has four distinct seasons. While the region rarely experiences the extreme cold as upper northern states, it often encounters the high heat of the states in the deep south. Temperatures seldom drop below 0 °F (-18 °C) or rise above 100 ° F (38 °C), but humidity is a factor to consider, and one can often experience a 30 °F (17 °C) shift in temperatures within a 24-hour period. The region receives approximately 46” (1168 mm) rain per year and to some extent evenly distributed with drier summers. Winters can bring an average of 9” (230 mm) of snow each year. Most plants flourish in the hardiness zone of 6b.
To encourage submissions from emerging and established applicants, Bernheim has two tiers of entry categories, where more extensive construction warrants a higher materials and production budget.
Tier 1 Entry Breakdown
Honorarium: $10,000
Materials and Production: $20,000*
Total Awarded: $30,000
Tier 2 Entry Breakdown
Honorarium: $5,000
Materials and Production: $10,000*
Total Awarded: $15,000
* Materials and Production costs are in values up to the amount listed underneath each tier entry breakdown. Total amounts awarded will reflect the Honorarium and the Materials and Productions costs agreed upon when budgets are finalized. Installation budgets may be up to the allotted amount and may not exceed. Selected finalists are responsible for sourcing materials for their installations. Honorarium payment schedules and instructions for drawing against finalized Materials and Production budgets will be outlined in L+A+N+D contracts.
Applicants are required to use the budget template provided in the RFP for submission and all installations must have a comprehensive budget proposal included with submission.
L+A+N+D outdoor installations must be capable of withstanding adverse weather conditions and high visitation traffic, requiring limited maintenance for installation and duration of exhibition.
- Bernheim encourages the use of recycled and repurposed materials where applicable.
- Bernheim requires all installations including plants to use plants considered to be native or non-invasive plants to Kentucky.
- Applicants must provide specific details as to how their work will be constructed (on-site or off-site), delivered, and completed.
- No fall heights greater than 6ft above the ground.
- Installations must last two to five years.
- Finalists agree to be on-site for installation and oversee an actively participate in final installation
* See RFP for full detail guidelines
L+A+N+D is based on a competitive, open application process. Completed online applications must be submitted by the deadline and will be reviewed first by Bernheim staff before being presented anonymously to an annually rotating Selection Committee comprised of experts from a variety of backgrounds, including (but not limited to) art, architecture, design, sustainability.
Following the recommendations of the Selection Committee, Bernheim will contact selected applicants to discuss proposals, budgets, installation needs, etc., before confirming and announcing final selections to the public.
An Artistic Tour of Bernheim Forest
L+A+N+D Expanded Site Description
Photos examples of L+A+N+D site types to download for renderings (Link coming)
Pocket Field Guide to Kentucky Wildflowers and Native Grasses
Noxious Weed List for Kentucky
