RFQ: New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Artwork Call to Artists

RFQ: New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Artwork Call to Artists

On behalf of The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (MCCNO), Dumez Development Group invites artists to submit 2-D and 3-D examples of artwork for consideration for the new interior renovation of The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (MCCNO). MCCNO is the largest contiguous-space exhibit hall in the United States, with 3 million sq. ft. of prime exhibit space contained within its walls. Initially conceived in 1978 by the New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority, the center was envisioned as a hub of commerce and community, and a mechanism for bolstering tourism around expositions, while also functioning as a welcome mat for business in New Orleans. The initial construction was completed in anticipation of the World’s Fair in 1984 and served as The Great Hall for the exposition. Today, it not only functions as a hub for conventions and business, but as a place where New Orleans introduces itself to the world. With its ongoing renovation as part of its Capital Improvements Plan, MCCNO seeks to continue its transformation from nondescript halls to a place that reflects our shared cultural identity, where visitors who encounter it leave with a true sense of place. 

Louisiana is known worldwide for its music, food, and culture, but its canon of visual art is equally rich and informed by a confluence of influences, from Indigenous, African, Spanish, French, Acadian, Creole and Caribbean cultures, and a continued diversity of contemporary global voices. This creative legacy is what defines Louisiana, and most significantly, New Orleans. In this spirit, it is important to recognize and uplift the diverse talents across a wide spectrum, and to broaden our efforts toward inclusion across all dimensions of identity. These values are essential to reflecting the true spirit of Louisiana and ensuring the future of its cultural expression is as inclusive as its past is storied. 

This project seeks to identify and amplify a myriad of artists' voices, moving in the spirit of true inclusion, and working with artists that represent as wide a swath of the community as possible, including both seasoned and emerging talent. By bringing their art into the Convention Center, we invite the world to experience Louisiana not only through its industry but through its imagination. This project is not just about filling walls. It is about embedding Louisiana’s creative spirit into the heart of a space. 

The team for this interior renovation of MCCNO, NANO, LLC has reimagined a space that personifies connectivity throughout the convention center. This has created unique opportunities for artists to produce site specific works that will compliment and amplify this vision. A key ambition of this design team is to utilize the inconsistencies of original space as an opportunity for improvement, growth and stability throughout the framework of the facility. The design goal is to create a historic context story rooted in the tenuous relationship of New Orleans and the Mississippi River, promote connection to community, and find moments of intersection, opportunity and impact.

Once completed, the space will stand as a mirror of the state, reflecting its color, complexity, and resilience. We invite you to be a part of this final stage of transformation for a space that for many is the first impression of our city, and will continue to be a threshold for ideas and innovation for years to come.

Please click on the link below to view the scope and location of areas included within the Call to Artists. PLEASE NOTE: The application requires identifying the areas for which each image is being proposed for consideration. Proposals for commissioned works should correspond with a specific site within the plan.

A NOTE ON SITE VISITS-

While in-person tours of the facility will be part of the next phase of the selection process, allowing artists to finetune site-specific works, the site plan with images of the space and elevations provide scale reference for this stage of the process. In addition to the site plan, MCCNO also has a thorough virtual tour available on their website (see below).

They have also provided dates, beginning today, when visits may occur between 9am-4pm. PLEASE NOTE: visitors must check in with security at Hall G, and Halls A & B are currently under construction and not possible to tour with the exception of the Hall A Lobby at the Julia Street Entrance.

• Tuesday, January 20th
• Wednesday, January 21st
• Thursday, January 22nd
• Monday, January 26th
• Tuesday, January 27th

MCCNOLA Artwork Site Plan.pdf  (please refresh this page and re-download the plan to see missing dimensions)

MCCNO Virtual Tour self-navigate the Convention Center

Artist Info & Resource Guide-UPDATED2.pdf Download for Artist Do's and Dont's and resources for unrepresented artists.

New Orleans Fabrication Resource List-UPDATED.pdf For sourcing quotes for fabrication and production, including Vinyl Graphics.

Addendum #2 FAQ/Q&A.pdf   

​Representation Policy.pdf

MCCNO Informational Session Video

To ensure the selection committee has a full understanding of your practice and your vision for this project, please include:

Artist CV – providing a clear record of your professional history.

Artist Statement – sharing your creative philosophy and approach.

Narrative Statement – a written explanation that ties your proposed or available work to the goals of this Call. This will either be submitted under "Narrative Statement" for existing work, or "Commission Proposal" for proposed works to be created on commission.

Image Requirements – Submitted images should be either renderings or available work, or both. When uploading images, you MUST fill in the medium, dimensions, year of completion, price, and primary discipline/media when prompted (you may ignore the "Art in Public Places" field). Please use the "Description" field on the media uploader for the artwork Title, and to identify the areas within the site plan for which each image is being proposed (i.e. 1A1, 1A2, 1A3, etc.).

• Concept Ideas or Renderings – proposals for new work specific to the spaces and mediums outlined in the Call to Artists.
   
• Portfolio – high-resolution images of available existing work for purchase, including dimensions and media details.

PLEASE NOTE: Sculpture must be suspended or wall mounted. There is no floorspace allocation for sculpture in this Phase. Artworks that are small in scale and easy to carry may not be ideal for this project, due to security concerns long-term. 

To participate in this Call, artists must meet the following requirements:

Connection to Louisiana – Artists must have a demonstrable tie to the state through residence, birthplace, artistic practice, significant body of work, or exhibition history.

Representation – All artists must have professional representation. Artists without representation may contact the Call administrator for a resource guide to help secure appropriate support.

Insurance – All selected artists must be able to meet insurance requirements (facilitated through their representative). Insurance is not required to submit an application.

Installation Readiness – All artwork must be completed, delivered, and ready to hang. All work must be equipped with cleats or D-rings where applicable (smaller works only). Artists must be willing to coordinate with the project’s assigned installation subcontractor. Additional security hardware will be added by the project installer.

Budget Responsibility – Proposed budgets must account for all costs, including materials, fabrication, transportation, and installation. We will provide an installation cost for each work of art. A resource guide for fabrication assistance is available to artists upon request.