April Call for Artists 1

Following are 7 opportunities for sculptors across the US. Included are 6 Public Art commissions and one art-on-loan program.

There are still a few active Call for Artists in our last post. Click here to see those calls and scroll to the bottom (we do our best to put them in chronological order within each post–but double check as we don’t rearrange them if dates change after we post!)


Flower Basket Pole Artwork – Request for Qualifications

Edmonds, WA

Summary: The City of Edmonds Arts Commission has funding available for an opportunity for two (2) artists to create small permanent sculptural pieces on top of new flower basket poles. The new pieces will augment a permanent outdoor exhibit of 25 studio scale artworks by regional (Puget Sound) artists. The creation of this outdoor “gallery” of small sculptural pieces on top of flower basket poles in downtown Edmonds was initiated by the Arts Commission in 2010.

The artwork should provide a strong visual element at the top of the 10 – 12’ black pole. Large flower baskets are hung for approximately 4 months of the year. The artwork must fit within an approximately 24”H x 12”W x 24”L space.

Budget: $2,700

Deadline: 4/2/20

How to apply: Submittable

Eligibility Requirements: regional (Puget Sound) artists

Special Notes: A total of $2,700 per artist is available for the design, fabrication and delivery of two (2) unique elements.

Click here to read more about this call for artists or to apply


NEON Art District Design Team

Norfolk, VA

Summary: The Norfolk Public Art Commission and the NEON Arts District Planning Committee seek to commission an artist to work with engineers and other design professionals on the streetscape improvement plan.

Budget: $35,000

Deadline: 4/2/20 2:00 PM EDT

How to apply: Submittable

Eligibility Requirements: No restrictions noted

Special Notes: PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The City of Norfolk has hired RK&K Engineering to upgrade the streetscape and make much-needed infrastructure improvements. The Public Art Commission is seeking an artist to collaborate with engineers to design integrated art elements into the new streetscape plan. This is an opportunity to influence the overall use and aesthetic of the District. The art project design could include material choices, tree grates, sidewalk furniture, sites for temporary and permanent public art, planters, bollards, pavement treatments and other creative ideas. The artist will be responsible for interacting with the art community and facilitating any additional stakeholder involvement necessary for the artwork/streetscape plan to advance. Engineers have begun work and the selected design team artist will need to be sensitive to what may be limited opportunities. The design timeline is moving quickly.

Click here to read more about this call for artists or to apply


University of Colorado Denver – Benson Terrace Sculpture

Denver, CO

Summary: To honor the legacy of the Bensons, the Selection Committee is looking to select a public sculpture for installation in the completed Benson Terrace. The committee would like to commission an artist to create a larger than life size sculpture of a lynx, to celebrate CU Denver’s mascot, Milo the lynx. The committee is looking for a more realistic expression of the animal, but is open to more abstract/creative uses of form, such as a head only, variety of movement, etc. The committee would like the sculpture to be made of materials that have proven longevity and can capture the essence of the lynx, such as bronze or metal. The goals for the artwork are to serve as a statement piece and photo opportunity for the University, celebrate the Bensons, and draw people into or near the Benson Terrace to view and/or interact with the art piece.

Budget: $100,000

Deadline: 4/3/20

How to apply: CaFÉ™

Eligibility Requirements: All applicants must be legal residents of the United States

Special Notes: Full RFQ, with references images, is available here.

Click here to read more about this call for artists or to apply


Art on Fourth

Ketchum, ID

Summary: The city of Ketchum, Idaho, invites experienced artists to apply for Ketchum’s summer sculpture exhibition, “Art on Fourth.” Original three-dimensional artwork by selected artists will be displayed in outdoor public spaces along Ketchum’s Fourth Street Heritage Corridor from June through October 2020

Budget: Selected artists will receive a $2,500 stipend for the exhibition of their work.

Deadline: 4/06/2020

How to apply: mail or email. See link for details

Eligibility Requirements: The call is open to all artists, regardless of their state of residence, creating original three-dimensional artwork suitable in scale and materials for public outdoor display

Special Notes: There is no entry fee.

Click here to read more about this call for artists or to apply


Memphis International Airport – Security Checkpoint

Memphis, TN

Summary: The Memphis International Airport is being reimagined as the facility undergoes an important renovation. A dramatic enhancement of the B concourse is currently underway, and will be completed by April 2021. Memphis’s aviation industry dates back to 1927, when city Mayor Watkins Overton formed the Municipal Airport Planning Commission. The Commission broke ground on a 200-acre tract of open countryside seven miles from Downtown, and the Memphis Municipal Airport opened for regular passenger and mail service in 1929. The current terminal, a modern design by architect Roy P. Harrover, was dedicated in 1963. The growing facility changed its name to Memphis International Airport, and in 1974, the building expanded into its current configuration.

Budget: $125,000

Deadline: 4/6/20

How to apply: Submittable

Eligibility Requirements: Any artist currently living and working in Memphis, TN and/or Shelby County.

Special Notes: Total Budget $125,000; Design $31,250, Fabrication $93,750, all-inclusive. The total project budget includes $1,500 honoraria for up to three finalists to support the development of proposal designs.

Click here to read more about this call for artists or to apply


Memphis International Airport – Restroom Waiting Areas

Memphis, TN

Summary: The Memphis International Airport is being reimagined as the facility undergoes an important renovation. A dramatic enhancement of the B concourse is currently underway, and will be completed by April 2021.  Memphis’s aviation industry dates back to 1927, when city Mayor Watkins Overton formed the Municipal Airport Planning Commission. The Commission broke ground on a 200-acre tract of open countryside seven miles from Downtown, and the Memphis Municipal Airport opened for regular passenger and mail service in 1929. The current terminal, a modern design by architect Roy P. Harrover, was dedicated in 1963. The growing facility changed its name to Memphis International Airport, and in 1974, the building expanded into its current configuration.

Budget: $45,000. Artist Design Fees: $15,000 (per three installations)

Deadline: 4/6/20

How to apply: Submittable

Eligibility Requirements: Any artist currently living and working in Memphis, TN and/or Shelby County.

Click here to read more about this call for artists or to apply


Memphis International Airport – Southeast Concourse

Memphis, TN

Summary: The Memphis International Airport is being reimagined as the facility undergoes an important renovation. A dramatic enhancement of the B concourse is currently underway, and will be completed by April 2021. Memphis’s aviation industry dates back to 1927, when city Mayor Watkins Overton formed the Municipal Airport Planning Commission. The Commission broke ground on a 200-acre tract of open countryside seven miles from Downtown, and the Memphis Municipal Airport opened for regular passenger and mail service in 1929. The current terminal, a modern design by architect Roy P. Harrover, was dedicated in 1963. The growing facility changed its name to Memphis International Airport, and in 1974, the building expanded into its current configuration.

Budget: $350,000

Deadline: 4/6/20

How to apply: Submittable

Eligibility Requirements: Any artist currently living and working in Memphis, TN and/or Shelby County.

Special Notes: $350,000 budget includes three finalist honoraria of $1,500 each

Click here to read more about this call for artists or to apply