Organizer Information

Based in Brooklyn and running a specialized summer camp in Strafford, New Hampshire, Beam Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to youth development through hands-on building, design, and collaborative public art projects. Every summer, Beam Camp brings together over 100 young people (ages 9–17) and 20+ staff members to build an ambitious, large-scale physical installation that serves as the visual and experiential centerpiece of the camp season.

Title & Description

Beam Camp 2027 Project Call: Open Call for Ambitious Design Proposals

Beam Center has launched the Beam Camp 2027 Project Call, seeking proposals for a spectacular, large-scale public art installation to be constructed during the Summer 2027 camp session in Strafford, New Hampshire. Working in collaboration with Beam Camp staff and over 100 youth campers, the selected designer(s) will see their vision brought to life through 50 hours of intensive hands-on building. The project invites big ideas that take advantage of the camp's rural setting, full fabrication facilities (wood, metal, textiles, ceramics, tech lab), and worldbuilding potential.

Categories

The call accepts Large-Scale Public Art & Installations spanning Architecture, Environmental Art, Sculpture, Interactive Systems, Sound, Kinetic Art, Textiles, and Interdisciplinary Design.

Eligibility

  • Demographic Scope: Open to individuals and collaborative teams of any age and nationality worldwide.
  • Disciplines: Welcomes submissions from artists, architects, engineers, builders, designers, filmmakers, technologists, musicians, and multidisciplinary makers.
  • Skill Expectation: Proposers must possess a foundational understanding of the materials, techniques, and structural processes involved in their proposed design.
  • AI Tool Policy: Sparse use of generative AI tools is requested; the committee strongly prefers authentic human storytelling and original design ideation.

Program Benefits & Awards

  • Artist Honorarium:$5,000 USD personal award for the selected designer or team.
  • Fabrication & Materials Budget: Approximately $15,000 USD dedicated project fabrication budget managed by the Beam project team.
  • Travel & Residency Visit: Reimbursed travel expenses for the winning proposer(s) to visit Beam Camp in Strafford, NH, during the build phase to connect with campers and see the finished installation.
  • Production Support: Collaborative prototyping, engineering development, and fabrication execution provided by Beam Center staff starting 6 months prior to camp.

Application Fee

Participation in the proposal submission process is 100% free of charge ($0 entry fee).

Application Requirements

Submissions must be compiled and uploaded as a SINGLE PDF document including:

  1. Project Title & Detailed Rationale: Comprehensive project description explaining the concept, worldbuilding elements, and how 100 campers and staff will engage in building it over ~50 hours.
  2. Visual Documentation: Conceptual sketches, architectural diagrams, 3D renderings, or video links.
  3. Team & Experience Details: Contact information (names, emails, phone numbers) and professional dossiers (CV, resume, or portfolio) for all co-designers involved.

How to Apply

Submit your single compiled PDF proposal dossier through the official Beam Center event portal.

  • Official Entry Application Portal: Beam Center 2027 Project Call Hub
  • Informational Zoom Sessions:
    • Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 2:00 PM EST
    • Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 2:00 PM EST

Key Dates

  • Proposal Submission Deadline: Monday, November 30, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST
  • Project Development & Prototyping Phase: February 2027 – June 2027 (Bi-weekly virtual planning meetings)
  • On-Site Construction & Completion: Summer 2027 (July 2027 session)

Location

Initial proposal uploads, virtual info sessions, and bi-weekly development meetings take place Online. The physical fabrication and installation take place live in the United States at:

Beam Camp

Strafford, New Hampshire, United States

Website Link: https://www.beamcenter.org/events/2027-beam-camp-project-call-3bpb9?utm_source=gemini

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