Call Description

City of Orlando – Public Art Opportunity
Request for Proposals: Southeast Government Center
Outdoor Sculpture & Metal Filigree Wall Panel (5’2” x 7’6” vertical): $77,000

Three Interior Murals: $40,000 
(dimensions can be found in the attached site plan) 

The City of Orlando, through its Public Art Program, invites professional artists and artist teams to submit proposals for the creation of permanent public artworks at the new Southeast Government Center, located in the fast-growing Lake Nona/Southeast Orlando area. This project represents an exciting opportunity to help define the visual identity of a key civic facility that will serve as a hub for city services, community engagement, and neighborhood pride.

The City seeks artwork that reflects Orlando’s welcoming, innovative, and diverse character while enhancing the architecture and landscape of the new government center. The selected works should contribute to a sense of place—creating spaces that are both inspiring and accessible to the public. Artworks may explore themes of community, connection, growth, and environmental harmony, but artists are encouraged to interpret these ideas broadly and creatively.

The public art component will include both exterior and interior installations:

The outdoor sculpture and metal filigree wall panel will serve as focal points for the building’s entryway or public plaza, integrating art into the architectural and landscape design.

The three interior murals will animate the main corridors or public gathering areas, offering visual storytelling elements that invite reflection and discovery.

Artists are encouraged to consider the site’s function as a community hub and the diversity of residents who will use the facility. Proposed works should be durable, low-maintenance, and suitable for a permanent installation in a high-traffic public environment.

Application Requirements

Selection Criteria:
Finalists will be evaluated on:

• Artistic merit and originality.
   
• Professional qualifications and experience with public art.
   
• Demonstrated ability to complete large-scale projects on budget and schedule.

The review committee may request additional detailed proposals from selected artists and may require approvals from local government representatives or project partners.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility:
This opportunity is open to local and national professional artists with a documented history of completing large-scale public art projects on budget and on schedule.

Artists should note that artwork must:

·        Be appropriate for the broader Orlando community.

·        Be made of durable, low-maintenance materials suitable for Orlando’s subtropical climate, including high humidity, sun exposure, heavy rainfall, and hurricane-force winds.

·        Meet all applicable building codes.

·        Be safe for public interaction in a pedestrian-friendly environment.