ALWAYS LOST: A Meditation on War
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ALWAYS LOST:
A Meditation on War
From the Pulitzer Prize Collection: The Dallas Morning News/David Leeson and Cheryl Diaz Meyer
From the Pulitzer Prize Collection: The Dallas Morning News/David Leeson and Cheryl Diaz Meyer
MNHUM.ORG
Always Lost: A Meditation on War
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Over the past ten years, the Minnesota Humanities Center has partnered with close to 50
communities—from Austin to Chisholm and Madison to Roseau—to bring traveling exhibits including
New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music, The Way We Worked, and Why Treaties Matter to
people across Minnesota.
The Humanities Center is pleased to announce a request for proposals to communities and
organizations interested in becoming a host site for the Minnesota tour of Always Lost: A Meditation on
War, created by Western Nevada College. Featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning combat photographs and
literary meditations on the nature of war, Always Lost brings home the personal and collective costs of
war and honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan. Booking now through
September 2015. There is no fee to host the exhibit; host sites must cover shipping and insurance
costs, and have at least one representative attend an orientation/installation workshop.
Nevada Legislative Building/Anne Hansen Nevada Legislative Building/Lisa Tolda
The Dallas Morning News/David Leeson Michigan Technological University/Gary Brown
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Opportunity
The Humanities Center is honored to support the Always Lost exhibit tour as part of its Veterans’
Voices program. The goal of the Minnesota tour is to utilize the humanities to amplify, honor, and
recognize authentic narratives of Veterans in communities across the state.
I was a SSG and served 14 months in Iraq 2004-2005. Thank you for this exhibition.
I couldn’t make it through the whole thing, but perhaps I will be able to come back…
Daymion S.
The Always Lost: A Meditation on War Exhibit
In fall 2008, Western Nevada College sociology Professor Don Carlson was stopped in his tracks
by The New York Times’ Roster of the Dead. “Four thousand faces of American military who had
perished in Iraq stared at me,” he said, “and I realized that this war has been perhaps one of the
most impersonal wars the U.S. has ever fought.”
What began as a classroom project evolved into a nationally touring arts and humanities exhibit.
Installed at Western Nevada College-Carson City in spring 2009, the original exhibit generated
an unprecedented response. With support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the
Nevada Arts Council and the Minnesota Humanities Center, Always Lost will bring its message of
awareness and unity to communities across Minnesota.
You could not possibly leave this exhibition the same person you were when you walked in.
Barbara D.
The exhibit includes:
The Pulitzer Prize-winning collection of twenty Iraq War combat photographs by David Leeson
and Cheryl Diaz Meyer, courtesy of The Dallas Morning News;
Accompanying each combat photograph are original literary works by Veterans and their families
and the Nevada writing community;
Observations on the nature of war from Greek philosophers to modern day generals, provoking
reflection on the effects of war on each of us and our obligations to those willing to serve in
harm’s way on our behalf;
The “Wall of the Dead,” a memorial wall of thirty-six, 2’ x 2’ panels depicting individual
photographs and names of U.S. military service members who have perished in the Iraq and
Afghanistan Wars since September 11, 2001;
The story, poetry and photographic portraits of Specialist Noah Pierce (born and raised in
Eveleth, MN), who took his life after serving two tours in Iraq, represents the thousands of
military suicides through his personal story.
A minimum of 100 linear feet of wall space is required for the exhibit elements (there are no
free-standing components). Portable walls are available for host sites needing extra wall space. If
you anticipate using this resource, please indicate so on your application.
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The Dallas Morning News/David Leeson
Hosting Always Lost: A Meditation on War
Each host organization will receive:
The Always Lost: A Meditation on War exhibit and supporting materials;
An orientation/installation workshop with a focus on military culture and engaging the Veteran
community;
Ongoing support and technical assistance from the Humanities Center.
In return, each host organization must agree to:
Designate a local project coordinator who will serve as the primary contact for the Humanities
Center and who will attend the installation workshop;
Develop local programming relating to the themes of the exhibit;
Track staff and volunteer time, as well as other resources donated to the project;
Arrange for shipping of the exhibit to your location from the previous Minnesota site;
After the exhibit period has ended, prepare the exhibit for shipping to the next host site;
Complete and submit a closeout report to the Humanities Center;
Add the Humanities Center as an additional insured on your general commercial liability policy
during the run of the exhibit (your insurance company may charge a fee for this change);
Host the exhibit for a minimum of two weeks and maximum of eight weeks.
Important Venue Consideration: Due to its themes and stark images of war, this exhibit may not be
suitable for children. Ideally the exhibit would be placed in a separated exhibit area with space for
reflection and signage regarding its content.
Additional Information
Frequently asked questions: http://mnhum.org/Uploads//always_lost_faq.pdf
Exhibit dimensions and components: http://mnhum.org/Uploads//always_lost_specs.pdf
Always Lost e-booklet with exhibit images and text:
http://issuu.com/wncmarketing/docs/always_lost_booklet?e=2602550/4716069
Always Lost website at Western Nevada College (exhibit developer) http://www.wnc.edu/
always_lost/.
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How to Apply
Please contact Erika Herrmann, Minnesota Humanities Center, toll free at 651-772-4264 or
erika@mnhum.org, to indicate your interest, discuss the exhibit, and access the online application form.
Deadline: Priority deadline is Friday, August 1 at 5 p.m. CT. Depending on availability, applications
may be accepted on a rolling basis thereafter. Applications must be submitted through an online form
requiring a brief narrative that should include:
Explanation of why your organization and community would like to host this exhibit;
Summary of previous experience hosting traveling exhibits (if any);
Description of the proposed venue for the exhibit (include square footage);
List of community partners who will contribute to the exhibit and how their support will
enhance the exhibit’s run and engage the community;
Outline of intended efforts to reach a diverse group of community members;
Preliminary ideas for local programming; and
Description of how the impact of the exhibit will be measured, for both host organization and
the community.
Evaluation Criteria
Host sites will be selected by a review committee using the following criteria:
1. Strong community and educational partnerships and/or support. A written commitment from
project partner(s), such as a Veterans’ group or educational partner, will strengthen your proposal.
2. Opportunity for visibility with various audiences in your community (i.e. populations not previously
served by your organization; high school students; faith communities, etc.).
3. Capacity for complementary programming, especially in partnership with other community members
or groups.
4. Enthusiasm for educating your community about the themes of the exhibit.
Note: The committee will seek to place the exhibit in as many regions of Minnesota as possible. Flexibility in
hosting dates may strengthen your proposal.
Michigan Technological University/Gary Brown Nevada Legislative Building/Lisa Tolda
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The Dallas Morning News/ Cheryl Diaz Meyer
The Dallas Morning News/ Cheryl Diaz Meyer
The Dallas Morning News/David Leeson
The Dallas Morning News/ Cheryl Diaz Meyer
Contact: Erika Herrmann, Minnesota Humanities Center, erika@mnhum.org; 651.772.4264
This program has been funded, in part, by the Nevada Arts Council, a state agency, and the National
Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. Additional support from the Minnesota Humanities Center
with funding from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund created by a vote of the people of Minnesota on
November 4, 2008.
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