2026 Beam Camp Project Open Call

About the Open Call

Beam Camp Seeks Ambitious Project Proposals for 2026 season Beam Center seeks design proposals for an ambitious public artwork that will be brought to life through collaborations between youth, Beam Camp staff and the selected proposer. Projects will be realized by a community of more than 100 young people at Beam Camp in July 2026. Beam Camp is a specialized summer camp for building and collaboration located in Strafford, NH. Our award-winning program offers youth (ages 10-17) the opportunity to cultivate hands-on skills while exploring innovative thinking, design, problem solving and the creative process. Every year, Beam Camp solicits proposals for unique and spectacular large-scale projects that serve as the centerpiece for the 29-day session of camp, during which they will be built and brought to life by 100 campers and 20+ staff. Our Project Team works with the winning designers to translate their project designs into the camp context. We pride ourselves on the high level of craftsmanship and skill that our Projects and the work of our staff and campers reflect. Projects are always ambitious and technically challenging, and in many cases are brought to life through the exploration of vibrant themes that can become the world we live in during our time at camp. Please take some time to familiarize yourself with our past projects. Winning proposals will be selected by a committee composed of Beam Center staff, youth, past project designers, and community members. We will be holding two Zoom info sessions for prospective project proposers. Please register: Thursday, October 30 at 2:00 PM Saturday, November 29 at 2:00PM Beam Camp is looking for the following: Proposals from creative individuals with big ideas, including but not limited to Artists, Engineers, Architects, Builders, Filmmakers, Musicians, Designers, Technologists, etc. Big ideas that result in a unique, ambitious, and spectacular product Proposals that communicate a clear vision (sketches, diagrams, and other visuals are always helpful) and represent your/your team’s expertise Projects that are ambitious enough to occupy and challenge 100 campers and 20+ staff members for approximately 50 hours Projects that take advantage of Beam’s facilities, community, landscape and rural setting Projects that use a range of materials, processes and techniques Projects that incorporate entry points for camper and staff worldbuilding. Projects that allow us to create the majority of the components onsite and from scratch Beam Camp Disciplines and Facilities include: Full wood and metal shops, equipped with a range of hand and power tools Welding facilities Textile, dye and sewing stations Ceramic studio Molding and casting facilities Technology lab Audio equipment and instrument selection Commercial Kitchen Project Site: Beam Project NH Location: Beam Camp in Strafford, NH Completion: Summer 2026 Past projects: Theater of Giants (2025), Welcome Beacon As Above, So Below (2022), and A Universe (2021), Trip To The Sun (2010) Award, Project Budget and Selected Artist Expectations: Selected project proposers receive a $5,000 award Selected projects have approximately a $15,000 fabrication budget Selected proposers should have a general understanding of the processes, techniques, and materials involved in their proposal Selected proposer must be available for bi-weekly meetings beginning 6 months before project completion in order to facilitate any necessary development, prototyping, and problem solving Selected proposers must be able to provide plans according to the project development schedule listed below Selected proposers are invited to join us at camp for some portion of the camp session (reasonable travel expenses to reimbursed) Application Instructions: Please submit proposal as a SINGLE PDF that includes: The title of your proposed project A detailed description of the project Visuals (sketches, diagrams, renderings, video link, etc.) Information about all co-designers included in your proposal, if any: names, emails, experience (resume, CV, portfolio, etc.) and phone numbers of each individual involved (including the applicant) Applications must be submitted no later than 11:59PM EST on Monday, December 23, 2024 Proposer Name * First Name Last Name Proposer Email * Address * Address 1 Address 2 City State/Province Zip/Postal Code Country Links to website and/or past work * Proposal Title * Brief Project Description * Your proposal has been received. Thank you for submitting your Beam Camp Project idea. If you have any questions, please email projectproposals@beamcenter.org.

What is Offered

Selected project proposers receive a $5,000 award. Selected projects have approximately a $15,000 fabrication budget. Selected proposers are invited to join us at camp for some portion of the camp session (reasonable travel expenses to reimbursed).

Requirements

Proposals from creative individuals with big ideas, including but not limited to Artists, Engineers, Architects, Builders, Filmmakers, Musicians, Designers, Technologists, etc. Big ideas that result in a unique, ambitious, and spectacular product. Proposals that communicate a clear vision. Projects that are ambitious enough to occupy and challenge 100 campers and 20+ staff members for approximately 50 hours. Projects that take advantage of Beam’s facilities, community, landscape and rural setting. Projects that use a range of materials, processes and techniques. Projects that incorporate entry points for camper and staff worldbuilding. Projects that allow us to create the majority of the components onsite and from scratch. Selected proposers should have a general understanding of the processes, techniques, and materials involved in their proposal. Selected proposer must be available for bi-weekly meetings beginning 6 months before project completion. Selected proposers must be able to provide plans according to the project development schedule listed below.

How to Apply

Please submit proposal as a SINGLE PDF that includes: The title of your proposed project, A detailed description of the project, Visuals (sketches, diagrams, renderings, video link, etc.), Information about all co-designers included in your proposal, if any: names, emails, experience (resume, CV, portfolio, etc.) and phone numbers of each individual involved (including the applicant). Applications must be submitted no later than 11:59PM EST on Monday, December 23, 2024.