Call Description

Multicultural Senior Center—RFQ

7149 West Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32818 
Deadline: September 9, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
Finalist Design Stipend: $500
Commission: $48,500
Installation: July 2026
 

Project Description

The Orange County Public Art Review Board is inviting applications from individual artists or artist teams to create artwork for the Orange County Multicultural Senior Center, located in the established suburb of Pine Hills. The complex will feature three dynamic and inviting spaces dedicated to community engagement: the Orange County Multicultural Center, the Senior Center, and the Innovation Lab.

The Multicultural Senior Center will serve as a welcoming and comfortable gathering space for the Pine Hills residents, who have long been dedicated advocates of community unity. The Center will provide a relaxing environment for hosting programs, workshops, games, and craft activities, as well as active offerings such as Zumba. Additionally, the facility will include a warming kitchen and event hall, enabling seniors to host meals and celebrations. The opportunities for engagement and community building are extensive.

The Pine Hills seniors are a vibrant and dynamic group, and they merit artwork that reflects their spirit and history.

We are Pine Hills
Many Cultures, One Bright Future
 

Possibilities for Public Art 

Include, but are not limited to: 

• Multiple works of art hung throughout the center
• Art Embedded in Walls
• Suspended 3D Art
• Kinetic Sculpture
• Textile Art
• Glass Art
• Mosaic
• Murals
   

Site  (Link to FLOOR PLANS and INTERIOR ELEVATIONS)

The newest Orange County Senior Center is located on a hilltop nestled between the Multicultural Center and the innovation Lab. The interior of the site is currently an unfinished space with vaulted ceilings offering the opportunity for the artist(s) and developer to work together to create a vibrant environment. Artist coordination with developer is required. Instillation and opening scheduled for the summer 2026.

Background

Orange County is a rapidly growing metropolitan area of more than one million residents that contains the City of Orlando and a dozen other municipalities. We are a minority majority community with over 160 languages spoken in public schools. A recent study indicates that by 2030 Orlando may be the most diverse major metro area in the world. The county values innovation, collaboration, and inclusion.

Budget

$48,500 has been approved for artwork.  The selected artist(s) or team(s) will be awarded a comprehensive contract (or contracts).  The artist will be responsible for artwork design, fabrication, materials, installation, insurance, travel, public presentations, meetings with Orange County staff as necessary, identification plaque, and all related incidental expenses.

Selection Process

A selection panel consisting of the project manager, stakeholders and art professionals will review artists’ qualifications. Several artists will be selected to provide proposals and will be paid a stipend of $500 each for their proposal. Final artist(s) selection will take place after review of the proposals. The Arts & Cultural Affairs Director serves as the non-voting Chair of the Selection panel.

The Public Artist Selection Panel and Orange County reserve the right to reject any or all applications, proposals, applicants, or projects, and to modify or terminate the application process or the selection process for any reason and without prior notice.

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to professional artists working in any appropriate media.  Student artists may apply if they can secure an experienced public artist to serve as a mentor to oversee their work.

Selection Criteria

Artists will be evaluated on artistic excellence as evidenced by submitted materials; professional experience; compatibility with the architectural design, facility environment and values of the county and this particular community.

Application Requirements

• Experience with public art projects with a similar budget is not required but helpful.
• Professional resume (teams must submit resumes for each member).
• Letter of interest, outlining interest in the project and a preliminary statement of approach.
• A minimum of one (1) image is required, and the maximum is 5. Images of finished works or conceptual drawings can be submitted. If images submitted are not of a completed public artwork, provide additional information to assure the Selection Panel of ability to realize a public art project and that it will be completed and installed as designed.
• Selected artists must complete the W-9 Vendor Registration Form and will receive payments by check.

Timeline:

Call Release: August 1, 2025
Applications Due: Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
Finalists Selection: Monday, September 22, 2025
Artist Notification: By or before September 23, 2025
Site Visit: Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 11 a.m. EST
Proposals Due: Monday, November 3, 2025, at noon EST
Proposal Review: Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at 2-3:30 p.m.
Notification of Acceptance: By or before November 5, 2025
Installation: July 2026
 

Contact

For further information contact Dawn R. Knight, Public Art Coordinator, Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs. Dawn.Knight@ocfl.net, 407-836-5540.

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The mission of Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs:  "To elevate Central Florida’s arts and culture to that befitting a world-class community."

About Orange County Government: Orange County Government strives to serve its residents and guests with integrity, honesty, fairness and professionalism. Located in Central Florida, Orange County includes 13 municipalities and is home to world-famous theme parks, one of the nation’s largest convention centers and a thriving life science research park. Seven elected members make up the Board of County Commissioners, including the Mayor, who is elected countywide. For more information, please visit www.OCFL.net or go to Orange County Government’s social media channels.

Application Requirements

• Experience with public art projects with a similar budget is not required but helpful.
• Professional resume (teams must submit resumes for each member).
• Letter of interest, outlining interest in the project and a preliminary statement of approach.
• A minimum of one (1) image is required, and the maximum is 5. Images of finished works or conceptual drawings can be submitted. If images submitted are not of a completed public artwork, provide additional information to assure the Selection Panel of ability to realize a public art project and that it will be completed and installed as designed.
• Selected artists must complete the W-9 Vendor Registration Form and will receive payments by check.

Eligibility Criteria

This opportunity is open to professional artists working in any appropriate media. Student artists may apply if they can secure an experienced public artist to serve as a mentor to oversee their work.