Request for Proposal: Illustrator for 2027 Exhibition & Family Gallery​ American Swedish Institute

The American Swedish Institute ​is seeking a local illustrator to ​collaborate with ASI on the ​ development of original​ character designs and scenography ​for an upcoming exhibition. The exhibition period will be​ February 14 to October 31, 2027.

This exhibition will share stories and traditions that have shaped Swedish culture over generations through​ 16 creatures from Swedish folklore.​ This experience includes a newly designed Family Gallery inspired by trolls, one of the 16 creatures, and developed with students of ASI’s Svenska Skolan.​

The work requested for quote is detailed in two parts.

1. Exhibition Assets Requested: ​

   • Illustration of each of the 16 mythical creatures.​
   • Assets will be used in the exhibition, as well as in Marketing and Retail. ​
   • Coordination with ASI Team in creative direction, planning and implementation. 

2. Family Gallery Assets Requested: ​

   • 5 illustration spreads, inspired by trolls, to be used on the walls.​
   • Supplementary illustrations to be used in other areas of the Gallery (i.e. floor decals, furniture, etc).​
   • Visual narrative workshops (2-3) with ASI Svenska Skolan students.​
   • Lesson plan/curriculum for each workshop to be done in collaboration with ASI Team.​
   • Workshops will be in English, Swedish language a plus.

Timeline:

• Proposals due: February 13, 2026​
• Selection Process: March 2026​
• Kickoff Meeting: April 2026​
• Part 1 First draft: June 2026​
• Final draft: August 2026​
• Final files: Sept. 2026​
• Part 2: Workshops with students: Sept. to Dec. 2026​
• First draft: October 2026​
• Final version: Nov. 2026​
• Final Files: Dec. 2026

Please submit the following to reply:​

2-3 examples of relevant work by you.​

~Notes about the format of your ​work or preferred final files types ​ are appreciated. ​

Short letter or drawing or video sharing a little about yourself,​and your interest in this project.​

Your fees as hourly or project based (please itemize by Part 1 and Part 2).

Send to proposals to: erins@asimn.org​

Subject of email: ​ RFP Submission_FIRST LAST NAME​

Attachments and/or links:​ Attachments to the email are ok if under 3MB in total.​ A link to a secure shared folder, like Google Drive, within the email is ok.​

If sending via a secure transfer system, like WeTransfer, please ensure the timeframe for downloading is thru at least February 18.​

Questions: The ASI team are available to field questions January 12 thru January 16 by email.