The one-year run of Georgia Tech’s Engineered Art: An International Sculpture Exhibit will come to an end in August, when seven of the 15 pieces will be shipped to Canada. With support from the Georgia Tech Arts Advisory Board, however, the other eight will remain on permanent display. 

The Arts Advisory Board has been instrumental in establishing a Challenge Grant of $150,000 to inspire further charitable gifts specifically for the acquisition of art through the newly created Art Acquisition Fund. The Challenge Grant will match dollar-for-dollar gifts to support the acquisition of art for the campus and accelerate a permanent collection of enduring quality for the Georgia Tech community to enjoy. It will serve as the funding source for the eight sculptures in the exhibition curated by John Henry, the internationally acclaimed, Chattanooga-based sculptor.

“We are grateful for the support of the Arts Advisory Board in the establishment of an Arts Acquisition Fund that will allow Georgia Tech to acquire a large portion of the Engineered Art collection, and acquire additional pieces as the opportunity presents itself,” said Board Chair Sonny Seals. “The Arts Advisory Board has accomplished a lot in a short period of time. It should be noted that a substantial portion of the board are not Tech alumni – they are friends of Tech who understand the importance of the arts to the Institute as we embrace a more arts-centric student experience.”

The Engineered Art exhibition is part of Arts@Tech, an initiative to enhance the Georgia Tech community by fostering programs and events spanning the arts spectrum – at the intersection of technological innovation and creative expression. Arts@Tech is an outcome of the Institute’s Strategic Plan.

“Last year was the first in which the Arts@Tech initiative started to drive activity on campus,” said Aaron Bobick, chair of the faculty-led Council of the Arts. “The Engineered Art sculpture exhibit explicitly announced to the community that there is a deep interest in the role of art in fostering both reflection and creativity in all that we do.”

Provost Rafael L. Bras added, “I am thrilled to be able to keep some of the sculptures exhibit. It is a great additional step in the promotion of creativity among our students.”