MIAMI, FL.- Yesterday, at a visit to a graphic design class at the Design and Architecture Senior High school (DASH) in Miami's Wynwood/Design District, Chairman Rocco Landesman announced that the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has released a request for proposals (RFP) for a new "Art Works" logo; the RFP is available at www.arts.gov/artworksdesign.

At the announcement, Chairman Landesman was joined by DASH principal Stacey Mancuso, arts advocate and patron Lin Arison, gallerist David Castillo, director of The Wolfsonian-FIU Cathy Leff, architect Terry Riley, and NEA Senior Deputy Chairman Joan Shigekawa. The visit to DASH was part of the Chairman's latest stop on his "Art Works" tour across America; he was in Miami to see the role that design, architecture, and artists play in creating the greater Miami area we know today.

When used by the Chairman, the phrase "art works" has three meanings: "art works" are the plays, paintings, dances, films and the other works of art that are the creation of artists; "art works" describes the effect of art on audiences and viewers, art works to transport, transform, inspire, and challenge us; and "art works' is a reminder that arts workers are real workers with real jobs who are part of this country's real economy.

While visiting with senior students in a graphic design class at DASH, the Chairman announced the RFP that invites proposals for a new "Art Works" logo for the NEA. The proposed logos should incorporate all three of the meanings of "Art Works" and tie them to the NEA in such a way that the proposed logo might be used alone or in conjunction with the NEA's current logo.

Chairman Landesman said, "Those two words – "art works" – pretty much sum up everything we are about at the NEA, and I hope you will see them everywhere. Art, artists, and arts professionals work to change the communities they inhabit: they are placemakers and help create livable, sustainable, complete communities. I look forward to having a logo that conveys that."

Dr. Mancuso said, "We were thrilled that Rocco chose DASH as the location to announce this RFP. Our students represent the next generation of design professionals, and it means a lot that the NEA is actively looking to connect with the future of the field, in addition to their work with emerging and already established masters."

Complete information about the RFP requirements and instructions for submitting may be found at www.arts.gov/artsworksdesign. Proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday, February, 26, 2010.