Feb 17-28 Call for Artists

Multiple opportunities for sculptors this month with these 16 call for artists around the USA. Deadlines range from Feb. 18-28, 2021. These include a mix of art on loan programs and commissions as well as an extension to a prequalification list which could give sculptors many more opportunities for public art commissions this year. Happy Sculpting!


2021-22 Downtown Sculpture Gallery

Auburn, Washington

Summary: The City of Auburn invites sculptors to submit applications for Auburn’s Downtown Sculpture Gallery. The works selected for this public art exhibition will be on loan to the City for a period of twelve months (12) and can be available for sale during that time.

Budget: Each selected artist will receive a $1,000 stipend. At the conclusion of the exhibition a sculpture from the exhibition may be purchased for inclusion in the City of Auburn’s permanent collection. The purchase budget is $10,000.

Deadline: 2/18/21 10:59 p.m. Pacific Time

How to apply: CaFÉ™

Eligibility Requirements: Artist are required to be living or working in the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California and Montana) and deliver their artwork in person to Auburn, Washington.

Special Notes: The selected sculpture will be on view for 12 months from September 2021 – September 2022.

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


2021 Troy Main Street Sculptures on the Square: Taking Flight

Troy, Ohio

Summary: As part of Troy Main Street’s 2021 Sculptures on the Square event, we are inviting artists to submit letters of interest, sculpture details, and qualifications for outdoor sculpture artwork. 

The 2021 event will be Troy’s 10th Sculptures on the Square biennial event, having started in 2003. The event regularly attracts thousands of visitors from the surrounding communities and states as well as engaging the Troy community and Miami county with the arts. Besides the sculptures on the downtown sidewalks, the event also includes displays of local artists in downtown businesses and interactive arts activities throughout the months of the event. 

Budget: $1,500 stipend per selected sculpture. The stipend covers the cost of having the sculpture located in Troy for the duration of the event, shipping costs to and from Troy, insurance, and attendance at the Opening Gala if desired.

Deadline: 2/19/21 5:00 PM Eastern

How to apply: CaFÉ

Eligibility Requirements: This project is open to resident American and legal resident artists / artist teams residing and working in the United States, Canada, and Mexico

Special Notes: The 2021 Sculptures on the Square event, scheduled to be exhibited June 18 – October 4, 2021, is expected to display approximately 20 sculptures on the sidewalks of downtown Troy. 

Sculptors are welcome to freely interpret the theme of “flight” in their submissions. Proposals do not have to meet the theme, but sculptures fitting the theme are encouraged.

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


2021-2023 Pre-Qualified Artist Pool, Art in Public Places

Austin, Texas

Summary: City of Austin / Art in Public Places (AIPP) seeks artists and artist teams living in the United States and/or territories (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and American Samoa) for AIPP’s 2021-2023 Pre-Qualified Artist Pool. Project opportunities will be available with city departments such as Austin Parks and Recreation, Austin Public Library, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, and more.

Budget: $30,000 -$500,000+

Deadline: EXTENDED to Feb 22, 2021 (originally the deadline was Jan 28)

How to apply: PublicArtist.org

Eligibility Requirements: open to artists living in the United States and/or territories (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and American Samoa)

Special Notes: Check out the full RFQ here

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


2021-22 Downtown Sculpture Gallery

Auburn, WA

Summary: The City of Auburn invites sculptors to submit applications for Auburn’s Downtown Sculpture Gallery. The works selected for this public art exhibition will be on loan to the City for a period of twelve months (12) and can be available for sale during that time.

Budget: Each selected artist will receive a $1000 stipend. At the conclusion of the exhibition a sculpture from the exhibition may be purchased for inclusion in the City of Auburn’s permanent collection. The purchase budget is $10,000.

Deadline: February 18, 2021 10:59 p.m. Pacific Time

How to apply: CaFÉ

Eligibility Requirements: Open to work by professional artists or artist teams living or working in the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California and Montana)

Special Notes: The selected sculpture will be on view for 12 months from September 2021 – September 2022.   

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


2021 Troy Main Street Sculptures on the Square: Taking Flight

Troy, Ohio

Summary: Troy Main Street, a nonprofit located in historic downtown Troy, Ohio, is accepting submissions from sculptors to participate in the 10th biennial Sculptures on the Square event. This year’s theme is, “Taking Flight.” Submitted sculptures will be juried by Troy Main Street’s Sculptures on the Square committee.

Budget: Each artist will receive a $1,500 stipend in exchange for their work being displayed.

Deadline: 2/19/21 5:00 PM Eastern

How to apply: CaFÉ

Eligibility Requirements: This project is open to resident American and legal resident artists / artist teams residing and working in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Special Notes: 20 sculptures will be chosen to be displayed on sidewalks throughout downtown during the summer of 2021 (June – October).

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


Underwater Reef Sculpture Round 2

Pompano Beach, Florida

Summary: The City of Pompano Beach is looking to commission an artist/artist team to design and fabricate a sculpture that will be displayed at the beach for a one year. After a year, it will be submerged into the ocean and attached to Lady Luck in shipwreck Park. It will be the selected artist’s responsibility to sink and attach the sculpture.

Budget: $35,000. The City will supply an additional $5,000.00 towards the installation and other fees associated with the sinking and attaching of the artwork to Lady Luck.

Deadline: 2/23/21

How to apply: CaFÉ

Eligibility Requirements: This project is open to all professional artists. Artists are NOT eligible who are immediate family or business partners of members of the Public Art Committee or program staff.

Special Notes: CALL EDIT: The artwork must weigh close to 500 pounds; the artwork should not over exceed this weight and should not be much less than this weight either.

The sculpture must be no larger than 3 ft. x 6 ft. It must be clean and free from asphalt, petroleum, other hydrocarbons and toxic residues.

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


North 12th Street – Gateway Project

Sacramento, California

Summary: The City of Sacramento, Sacramento Office of Arts + Culture (OAC) invites Artists and Artist teams to submit their qualifications for a new Gateway sculpture project at or near the intersection of Richards Blvd and North 12th Street. This project will coincide with a number of housing, lighting, and street improvement projects through the corridor. The chosen artist will have a voice at the table to help shape the aesthetics of the corridor with community engagement as a central component of the transformation process.

Budget: $350,000

Deadline: 2/23/21

How to apply: Submittable, click here for more info and to apply

Eligibility Requirements: The project is open to experienced professional artists nationally and internationally.

Special Notes: The selected Gateway artist will be asked to consider how their design is specific to the location. Artists with experience in creating site specific sculpture and wishing to engage and work with communities as a component of their practice are encouraged to apply.

Click here to read more about this call for artists


Sentara Brock Cancer Center Public Art

Norfolk, Virginia

Summary: The Norfolk Public Art Commission and Sentara Healthcare seek to Commission an artist to design and create Artwork for the new Sentara Brock Cancer Center.

The Public Art Planning Committee seeks to hire an artist to design and create exterior artwork that represents healing, hope, and resiliency. The work should be elegant, sophisticated, and visually stimulating. We hope the artwork will convey a sense of peace and serenity and lift-up the patients, families, and staff who come to the building. Artists may want to explore organic, natural themes and shapes that are tactile and engaging.

Budget: $100,000

Deadline: 2/25/21, 2:00 PM EST

How to apply: Submittable

Eligibility Requirements: no restrictions noted

Special Notes: The artist must hire a Virginia licensed contractor to install the artwork(s).

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


Fourth Street Parking Garage Public Art Project

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Summary: This Request for Qualifications is for art that will be located on the East exterior wall of a new public parking structure located at Fourth Street and Coeur d’Alene Avenue in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The goal for the piece is to significantly beautify one of the primary pedestrian and vehicle passageways of the downtown core. The art will be installed vertically, anchored onto a wall made of concrete masonry blocks. Submissions of murals (painted directly onto the wall) will NOT be considered.

Budget: Each of the Finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium to prepare a proposal. The finalists will be asked to provide detailed sketches, renderings, narration, budget, schedule, and a 3D model (“maquette”) of the proposed artwork.

The budget for the final project is $75,000

Deadline: 2/26/21, 5 PM PST

How to apply: CaFÉ

Eligibility Requirements: This call is open to all Artists, Designers, or Creative individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or disability.

Special Notes: There is no theme for this project; however, the work should be appropriate for viewers of all ages, should reflect the vibrant beauty of our downtown community, and leave a lasting impression on all who view it.

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


2021-2022 Dexter Art Gardens Temporary Sculpture Display

Dexter, Michigan

Summary: The “Dexter Art Gardens” is an annual outdoor artwork exhibition sponsored by the Dexter Arts, Culture & Heritage Committee and the City of Dexter. Four (4) temporary outdoor artworks will be juried and placed on temporary display with the City’s permanent collection for one (1) year: June 2021 – May 2022.  The selected pieces will be installed on concrete pads in highly trafficked locations in historic Dexter, Michigan.

Budget: Each selected artist will receive an $900 stipend.

Deadline: 2/26/21

How to apply: CaFÉ

Eligibility Requirements: open to all artists 18 years of age and older.

Special Notes: Artist may submit up to three (3) original artworks

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


Naperville Art League’s 18th annual Public Art Competition

Naperville, Illinois

Summary: Artists from Naperville and surrounding communities are invited to participate for cash prizes in Naperville Art League’s 18th annual Public Art Competition. The competition welcomes one entry per person under the theme “Abstract Symphony.” The piece must be original in design, concept, and execution. It can be any media or mixed-media, and either 2D or 3D. Size restrictions apply.

All entries will be on display March 2 through March 19 at the Naperville Fine Art Center & Gallery, 508 N. Center St., Naperville 60563. Awards presentation will be at 3PM Sun., March 7.

Budget: Cash prizes will be awarded for Best of Show ($350) and Awards of Excellence ($100).

Deadline: February 27, 2021

How to apply: The contest entry form is on the League’s website http://www.napervilleartleague.com/ or a copy may be picked up at the Naperville Fine Art Center.

Eligibility Requirements: Two age categories for entries are high school/college age and adults. Cash prizes will be awarded for Best of Show ($350) and Awards of Excellence ($100). Honorable Mentions will win ribbons. Winners will be publicized.

Special Notes: The entry fee is $25 for non-members and $15 for Naperville Art League members. Entries must be accompanied by an artist’s statement.

Click here to read more about this call for artists


Outdoor Interactive Sculpture Celebrating Chin Culture

Lewisville, Texas

Summary: The City of Lewisville has released a Request for Qualifications for artists who wish to work on a public art project to celebrate the culture of the Chin refugee community in Lewisville, Texas.

There are more than 4,000 Chin residents in Lewisville, many of whom endured great hardships and made a 1,500-mile journey on foot in order to escape oppression in their home country of Burma (now called Myanmar). This community has settled and grown in Lewisville and now represents the second-largest ethnic group in the city. Even so, the Chin story is not well known by many residents and visitors in Lewisville.

The City is interested in commissioning an artist or group of artists to create a public art piece that can tell the Chin story and celebrate their rich cultural heritage. The permanent stone sculpture will be installed in a city park located very near Chin neighborhoods and churches.

Budget: $90,000

Deadline: 2/28/21

How to apply: CaFÉ

Eligibility Requirements: This project is open to all U.S.-based artists, regardless of race, color, creed, gender, gender variance, national origin, age, religion, marital status, political opinion or affiliation, or mental or physical handicap. Artists are not required to have previous experience in public art. Emerging artists are welcome to apply for this commission.

Special Notes: insert

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


Kokomo Sculpture Walk 2021-2023 Exhibit

Kokomo, Indiana

Summary: The City of Kokomo invites you to participate in our 2021-2023 juried, on-loan, outdoor, sculpture exhibit in downtown Kokomo, Indiana

Budget: an honorarium of $2000 per piece

Deadline: 2/28/21

How to apply: CaFÉ

Eligibility Requirements: no restrictions noted

Special Notes: Only completed artwork will be considered. Artwork must be ready to set on 8’ x 8’ cement pads.

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


Maintenance Hole Cover

Santa Clarita, California

Summary: The City of Santa Clarita (City) is seeking up to thirteen (13) one-dimensional designs for its Public Art program. Artist(s) are invited to submit between one (1) and three (3) final draft one-color vector illustrations. Up to thirteen (13) artists will be chosen to design maintenance hole covers in the Mercado Parking Lot at the Canyon Country Community Center.

Budget: The all-inclusive budget for this project is $9,750 in total for all designs, which equals $750 per design.

Deadline: 2/28/21

How to apply: CaFÉ

Eligibility Requirements: Artists 18 years of age or older are invited to submit an individual or collaborative artist application. Artists must reside in the United States.

Special Notes: It is desired for the designs to reflect a water theme. Final artwork must be submitted in a digital format to be determined by the manufacturer. (illustrator/vector/etc.) Artwork should be one-color scalable vector artwork.

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


Hopkins ArtStreet 21-22

Hopkins, Minnesota

Summary: Hopkins ArtStreet is a select, juried public art display centered on charming, historic Mainstreet in Hopkins, MN (15 minutes from downtown Minneapolis).  Artists working in all outdoor-tolerant media are invited to apply. Accepted artwork is displayed for approximately one year (May to May).

Budget: Selected artists will receive a stipend of $1000 to offset the cost of transportation of their artwork and any other incurred travel/hotel expenses. Artists must be present at the installation of their work.

Deadline: 2/28/21

How to apply: CaFÉ

Eligibility Requirements: This exhibition is open to established and emerging artists, working in all media that can withstand outdoor public display. Each artist may submit up to three original artworks for consideration.

Special Notes: Entry Fee (Hopkins ArtStreet 21-22): $20.00

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


Johnson City Public Art Committee Leased Art Program

Johnson City, Tennesee

Summary: The Public Art Committee of Johnson City, Tenn., is seeking pieces of leasable outdoor sculpture to be installed for two years in and around Founders Park and downtown Johnson City.

Budget: Each artist whose work is chosen will receive a $2,000 stipend (per piece)

Deadline: 2/28/21

How to apply: Online: http://jcpublicart.com/call/

Eligibility Requirements: The exhibition is open to all artists, preferably professional sculptors, who are at least 18 years of age and reside in the United States.

Special Notes: The guest juror for this two-year exhibition is Jason Brown, sculptor on the faculty of University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and president of the Mid-South Sculpture Alliance board.

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