Call Description

Orange County Animal Services—RFQ

2715 Conroy Rd, Orlando, FL 32839
Deadline: January 13, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST
Finalist Design Stipend: $1,500
Commission: $145,500
Installation: July 2027
 

Project Description

Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs is seeking applications from individual artists or artist teams to develop artwork for the new Orange County Animal Services facility. This modern, family-oriented facility aims to foster a welcoming environment dedicated to the humane treatment, respect, and protection of all animals. It serves as a safe and compassionate space where displaced animals can find their lifelong homes.

The new Orange County Animal Services facility will feature a two-story design. The first floor will include dog kennels and designated indoor and outdoor areas for pet interactions. The second floor will be dedicated to feline care and housing. Art should be visually engaging, lively, positive, playful, and suitable for children of all ages, as well as their pets. Let’s get them seen, let’s get them home!

Orange County Animal Services (OCAS) is a forward-thinking animal-welfare focused organization that enforces the Orange County Code to protect both citizens and animals. OCAS is the only open admission shelter in Orange County, which means that it does not turn away any animal and accepts all animals, regardless of their temperament or health. The health and well-being of the animals in the care of OCAS is of the utmost importance to Orange County and its community. 
 

Possibilities for Public Art include, but are not limited to:

• Mural
• Mosaic
• Sculpture
• Kinetic Sculpture
• Suspended 3D Art (load specification below)
• Artwork to guide feline enthusiasts toward the second level
   

Site  (Link to FLOOR PLANS and ELEVATIONS)

Orange County Animal Services has many possible spaces for artworks that are highlighted in the link above. If proposing suspended artwork, the steel roof is designed for a live load of 20 psf and a superimposed dead load of 30 psf. The steel can support a maximum dead load of 15 psf and a maximum live load of 5 psf.

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

$145,500 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 $1,500 each for their proposal. Final artist(s) selection will take place after review of the proposals. The Arts & Cultural Affairs Public Art Coordinator 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.

Timeline:

• Applications Due: January 13, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
• Finalists Selection: Monday, January 26, 2026, 3-4 p.m.
• Artist Notification: By or before Tuesday, January 27, 2026
• Virtual Site Visit: Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 3-4 p.m. EST
• Virtual Community Meeting: Monday, February 9, 2026, at 2:30-4 p.m. EST
• Proposals Due: Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at noon EDT
• Proposal Review: Monday, March 23, 2026, at 2:30-4 p.m. EDT
• Notification of Acceptance: By or before Tuesday, March 24, 2026
• Installation: January 2027
   

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.

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.