The Norfolk Arts Commission and Fusion at Neon Planning Committee seek to commission an artist to design and create artwork.

LOCATION/CONTEXT: Fusion at NEON sits at the gateway to Norfolk’s NEON District—short for “New Energy of Norfolk”—the city’s first official arts district, designated in 2013. Once known as “Auto Row,” the area was a bustling mid-20th-century hub for car dealerships and repair shops. Today, its industrial roots are still visible in the brick buildings and repurposed auto shops now home to galleries, studios, and apartments. Like many parts of Norfolk, the NEON District was built atop old waterways gradually filled in to support urban growth. This layered history adds depth to its identity as a creative corridor.

The district’s transformation began with grassroots efforts and has grown into a vibrant cultural hub. Key institutions include the Chrysler Museum of Art, the Harrison Opera House, and the celebrated Perry Glass Studio. Several works of traditional contemporary outdoor sculpture are within view of the proposed artwork location. With over 100 public art pieces—including murals, installations, and interactive alleyways, the NEON District is a living outdoor gallery.

In the last five years, more than 500 new housing units have sprung up in the district, reflecting NEON’s growing appeal as both a cultural destination and a desirable urban neighborhood. Blending historic character with contemporary creativity, NEON reflects Norfolk’s spirit of reinvention and continues to evolve as a dynamic, art-centered community.

THEME/STYLE: The Art Selection Committee is seeking public artwork that marks the transition from a historic, tree-lined neighborhood into the vibrant urban environment of the NEON District, while also inviting and signifying the entrance to the Fusion apartment complex. This site lies at the intersection of the traditional, refined atmosphere of a museum and the raw, eclectic energy of NEON. We invite artists to create a bold, unexpected installation that challenges conventional outdoor sculpture formats.

Rather than a static piece on a pedestal, we envision artwork that flows and interacts with the space—perhaps wrapping around a corner, climbing a building, or extending into the surroundings. The installation should be dynamic, lively, and thought-provoking, embodying creativity in its most fluid and experimental form. We are looking for bright, bold expressions of art that reflect the unique, funky spirit of the NEON District while marking the entrance to Fusion as a distinctive, welcoming landmark.

SIZE/MEDIUM: The artwork should be designed to engage both pedestrian and vehicular traffic, with a scale that commands attention from a distance while offering intricate details that can be appreciated up close. Reflecting the neighborhood’s themes of water, glass, fluidity, and reflection, artists are encouraged to explore motion, either through kinetic elements or the visual perception of movement, allowing the piece to interact dynamically with its environment. The site is equipped with electricity, allowing for potential lighting or other interactive features. Durability is key: the artwork must be crafted from permanent, low-maintenance materials that are safe, weather-resistant, and designed to stand the test of time.

PROJECT FUNDS: The total budget for the completed, delivered, and installed artwork is $50,000. This will cover artist’s honorarium, engineering, fabrication, installation, materials, shipping, insurance, and travel expenses necessary to complete the project, project plaque, final documentation, and any incidental expenses. The artist must hire a Virginia licensed contractor to install the artwork. The selected artist may be asked to present a community educational workshop or presentation.

Up to three finalists may be selected to be virtually interviewed by the Art Planning Committee. The finalists are not expected to complete a design at this stage but will be interviewed about past work and creative process. The committee reserves the right to select the final artist without a finalist process.

Please note that a city contract will be issued with a design phase requiring review and approval by the Norfolk Arts Commission prior to fabrication.

The selected artist must carry a Commercial General Liability Insurance Policy naming the City of Norfolk as an additional insured and must provide certificates of insurance to that effect guaranteeing thirty (30) days written notice before any changes to the policies become effective. Insurance can be purchased, and certificate presented after the first payment is made. If the artist employs anyone in connection with this work, the artist must carry a workers’ compensation insurance policy and an automobile liability insurance policy, if appropriate. The artist shall also be responsible for assuring that subcontractors, if there are any, meet the same insurance requirements.  

Application Requirements

Submission must be submitted online at Cafe Call for Entry by 11:59 PM MDT on June 18, 2025. There is no application fee to apply or use the online application system.

The following materials are required:

1.      Statement of Understanding, online agreement of compliance to all State of Virginia codes. By submitting your application, you agree to the Statement of Understanding.

2.      Letter of Interest, outline your interest in this project and how you will approach the artwork design and creation. (2000-character max)

3.      Resume, maximum of two (2) pages, outlining your professional accomplishments.  If submitting as a team, please include resumes for each team member, with each resume not exceeding two (2) pages.

4.      Artwork Images, selection of up to ten (10) images representing artworks most relevant to the scope of this opportunity.  While not mandatory, you may include sketches of a proposed idea as one or more of your 10 images.

5.      References, three (3) professional references, including name, affiliated organization (if appropriate), email address, phone number, and relationship to each reference.   

Eligibility Criteria

All artists who are residents of the United States are eligible to apply.