The Mathews-Sanders Sculpture Garden in Cleveland, Mississippi, is seeking an open call for 11th Biennial Outdoor Sculpture Competition for exhibition on the grounds of the Bologna Performing Arts Center on the campus of Delta State University, the Grammy Mississippi Museum, and downtown in the city of Cleveland. We anticipate selecting twelve works: eight sculptures at the BPAC, three sculptures downtown, and one sculpture at the Grammy Mississippi Museum. 

The call is open to all artists and artist teams, age 18 and over, using durable materials suitable for outside elements and change in temperature that requires little to no maintenance during the display period. The call is open to sculptures of all types. Preference will be given to artworks with a musical theme at the Grammy Museum and downtown Cleveland. The Bologna Performing Arts Center presents the best in the arts and entertainment through a series of national and international multi-disciplinary performances and hosts over 200 events per year. 

The work will be on exhibition from August 9, 2024 to August 9, 2026, at the end of which time a purchase award will be granted for one sculpture. The purchased sculpture will remain in the sculpture garden as part of the permanent collection. 

This competition provides opportunities for regional and national artists to exhibit their work, make visible the University's commitment to and appreciation of artistic endeavors, enhance the vitality of the campus environment, and offer students first hand educational experience with sculpture. Thirty-seven pieces of sculpture have been purchased from the ten previous competitions and have been permanently placed at various locations on the Delta State campus, Grammy Mississippi Museum, and downtown Cleveland. 

Application Submission 

1. Artists may submit up to nine digital images of sculpture THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THE DURATION OF THE COMPETITION. Two views of each work should be submitted. High-resolution digital images are preferred with a minimum of 300 dpi saved in a jpeg format. 2. An identification sheet must accompany the digital submission and provide the following: a. Title, medium, and dimensions (h x w x d) for each submission 

b. Exact Footprint dimensions 

c. Purchase price for each submission 

d. A statement of long-term upkeep must also be included and speak directly to the following: maintenance of surfaces, potential cost, and any equipment needed for maintenance. *A crane will be available during the installation in August. The artist will furnish any additional installation materials and will be responsible for anchoring all work during the installation. 

3. Resume 

4. Artist Statement  

Application Requirements

Selection Criteria

1. Strong aesthetic merit and technical qualities, six to fifteen feet in height. 

2. Appropriateness to the site, aesthetically and conceptually. 

3. Maintainability and durability 

4. Liability, based on susceptibility of the artwork to wear and vandalism and potential danger to the public. 

5. Delivered work must be identical to electronic file submission. 

The selection panel will be composed of art professionals from the Southeast.

Important Dates: 

Entry Deadline: May 4 

Notification: June 3 

Installation: August 9

Eligibility Criteria

Honorarium

Each artist exhibiting sculpture will receive a $2,500.00 honorarium per sculpture, which includes the transportation, installation, and de-installation of the pieces.