Description
Project Overview:
BTA seeks proposals from experienced graphic designers to serve as our design partner for the Art Museum Trustee Survey, a major national research study focused on the experiences, influence, and impact of trustees serving art museums across the United States.
Research is the cornerstone of our work and is part of a broader effort to generate field-shaping insight about governance, leadership, representation, and innovation within the museum sector. The Art Museum Trustee Survey aims to equip trustees, museum leaders, funders, and cultural stakeholders with data that can inform action.
The selected graphic designer will be responsible for translating data findings into a compelling, accessible, and visually sophisticated report publication. This includes not only the design of the report layout, but also the creation of original charts, graphs, icons, and other data visualizations from survey data findings provided by the BTA team and our research partner, SMU DataArts. The ability to translate data accurately and present it with clarity, precision, and visual sophistication is essential.
The audience for this report includes art museum trustees, museum directors, philanthropy leaders, researchers, journalists, cultural workers, and the broader cultural public.
As a small and highly collaborative team, BTA is seeking a partner whose working style reflects curiosity, adaptability, flexibility, accountability, and strong creative judgment. This project will involve iteration, collaboration, and careful attention to both the big picture strategic narrative and the nuanced fine details.
The designer will bring editorial excellence, fluency in data storytelling, and a deep respect for the purpose behind this work, helping surface insights that can strengthen cultural leadership and support long-term change in the museum field.
Scope of Work:
The selected graphic designer will be expected to provide:
Research Report Design
Design and layout of a final 25-35 page research report, including:
- Full report design, visual language for the report, and typesetting
- Cover design
- Interior page layouts/ divider pages
- Pull quotes / callout styling
- Tables, charts, icons, and data visualizations, etc.
Communications & Dissemination Assets
Companion assets, for use in presentations and media, including:
- Social media assets (may include visual animation graphics)
- Presentation cover & chapter slides (for use in google slides)
- Promotional graphic tied to announce the report launch
Collaboration & Revisions
The selected designer will:
- Participate in kickoff and huddle meetings
- Work collaboratively with BTA staff and SMU Data Arts research partners
- Draft and revise based on stakeholder feedback
- Deliver final print-ready and digital files
Deliverables:
Expected deliverables may include: Please include:
- Final 25-35 page designed research report (digital PDF + print-ready files)
- Bespoke data visualization assets
- Communications toolkit assets
- Source design files (Adobe InDesign / Illustrator / related formats)
Review full 2025-2026 Art Museum Trustee Survey Graphic Designer RFP here.
Application Instructions
Proposal Requirements:
Letter of Interest (1 page):
Please include:
- Your background and relevant experience
- Your understanding of the aims and goals of the Art Museum Trustee Survey, and why this project interests you
Work Samples (2-3 pages):
Please provide 2-3 examples of work products you have designed, including but not limited to:
- Research reports
- Annual reports
- Data Visualization work
- Comparable editorial design projects
- Two professional references with contact information
Approach and Methodology (1-2 pages):
Please describe:
- Your design process
- How you approach data-driven design
- Your collaboration style and desired meeting cadence
Budget and Fee:
- Proposed fee for the engagement, including drafting and at least three rounds of revisions
- Proposed payment schedule
Availability:
- Confirmation of availability for the engagement period (approximately 9 weeks, beginning July 13, 2026 - September 11, 2026)
- Note any blackout dates during the engagement period
Submission Instructions:
Please submit proposals to:
admin@blacktrusteealliance.org
Subject line: First Name Last Name — Graphic Design RFP Submission
Deadline: June 10,2026 by 11:59 pm EST