Colorado State University (CSU) is a leading education and research institution for the nation.  Since its founding in 1870, agriculture has been at the core of CSU’s academic, research, and outreach mission.   The College of Agricultural Sciences provides a world-class education in agriculture with innovative learning environments, ground-breaking research on campus and at its statewide research centers, and scientifically supported practice to all Colorado citizens from faculty with extension appointments.  The College is dedicated to preparing its students to meet our immense global food challenges.  Research and education in the College is dedicated to: enhancements in food systems safety, security and nutrition; the understanding of animal welfare; crop yield improvements; advancements in organic agriculture; innovative economic modelling for farmers and ranchers; the connection between food systems and the environment; and the links between food and health.  The College offers nine undergraduate majors with 28 different concentration options and 39 graduate degree programs within the College’s five academic departments.

Shepardson Hall was constructed in 1938 as one of the last WPA funded buildings on campus. The construction project will renovate the existing Shepardson Hall structure and add two sections to the building, nearly doubling its size.  The building will create a home and unified identity for the college.  It will be the student hub for both classroom and experiential learning, resources, and support to enable academic success and build a sense of community for the school.  Upon completion, the new Shepardson Hall will house the Dean’s Office, and the Departments of Agricultural and Resource Economics, and Horticulture and Landscape Architecture. The revitalized Shepardson Hall will be a home base for all Agriculture Science programs with the goal of fully embracing modern Agriculture, while recognizing its traditions, with its visually iconic and welcoming state of the art facilities.

 

The Art Selection Committee would like to commission an artwork that serves as a visual symbol for what is occurring within the building, highlighting the important role of agriculture on CSU’s campus. The artist should take into consideration the diversity of the agricultural programs within the College, acknowledging that agriculture is more than farming and incorporates both animal and plant sciences.  The Committee would be excited to see an artwork that addresses agriculture’s contemporary importance and its future significance.