This is a call for design submissions from Pennsylvania artists for the Bells Across PA Art Series, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States. Selected artists will create designs for 3-foot tall fiberglass bell sculptures. Artists will receive a $1,250 honorarium, paid in two installments. Applications and designs must be submitted via email by 4 PM on April 10, 2026. The program is open to all Pennsylvania artists. Artists must assign their copyright for the design to America250PA. Designs must be appropriate for public display and cannot be religious, political, or sexual in nature. Corporate logos and advertising are also prohibited. Artists should consider durability and public safety as the bells will be outdoors and interactive. Installation of the bells will be managed by America250PA, but artists may be required for touch-up work. All submitted materials become the property of America250PA and cannot be returned.
The bid notice states that all bells must be in place by December 31, 2026, and remain on display. The exterior bell placement timing will vary depending upon weather conditions. The bid notice also mentions that a bell unveiling ceremony will take place for each bell placed, and this date will be agreed upon by America250PA, the sponsor, and the artist, and will determine the date to return the finished bell.
The bid notice states that each artist whose design is selected for the exhibition will be paid a $1,250 honorarium, with $625 upon bell delivery and $625 after a final review of the bell design ensuring it matches the approved bell design. The copyright assignment also mentions that America250PA shall pay the artist a $1,250 honorarium within 30 days of the completion of their bell, if the finished bell is approved for exhibition.
The bid notice states that America250PA will review applications as soon as they are submitted to ensure compliance with guidelines. Final approval will be decided by America250PA's arts and culture subcommittee. Designs will be evaluated to ensure they conform to guidelines, and America250PA may reject any design that, in its sole discretion, does not adhere to these guidelines.
The bid notice states that Bells Across PA is open to all Pennsylvania artists, preferably from Lackawanna County, and groups from the acclaimed to the amateur. Painters, sculptors, craftsmen, multimedia artists, and other wildly creative people are all encouraged to apply. Each commissioned bell will receive one honorarium regardless of group size.
The bid notice states that any changes made to the approved bell design will require completion of a new application and will delay delivery of the bell until the new design is approved. The copyright assignment also mentions that artist acknowledges and agrees that due to the nature of the public display of the finished bell, America250PA shall not be liable for any distortion, mutilation, modification, or destruction of the finished bell by accident, act of god or person. The artist waives their rights under the Visual Artists Rights Act (VARA) in the event of such distortion, mutilation, modification, or destruction. If the finished bell is vandalized, damaged, or otherwise modified and the artist is unable or unwilling to promptly repair such alteration, America250PA shall have the right to make, or have made, such repairs, even if the repairs would constitute a distortion, mutilation, or modification under VARA. The artist waives their rights under VARA in the event and to the extent America250PA deems such repair necessary.
The bid notice states that each artist whose design is selected for the exhibition will be provided with a 3 foot by 3 foot, blank, ready-to-paint fiberglass bell and will be paid a $1,250 honorarium.
