Call Description

Call to Artists—RFP

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Sculpture on the Lawn 2027

12th Annual Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition

Orange County Administration Center

201 S. Rosalind Ave., Orlando, FL  32801

Deadline:  Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 11:59pm EDT

Budget:  $5,000

Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs and the Public Art Review Board are pleased to invite artists to submit proposals for consideration in the 12th annual Sculpture on the Lawn exhibition. This outdoor exhibit will be displayed at the entrance of the Orange County Administration Center in downtown Orlando, Florida, offering high visibility to an estimated 10,000 visitors daily. Artists are encouraged to submit both existing works and conceptual proposals for this prominent public art opportunity.

Sculpture on the Lawn is available to professional sculptors, as well as students and emerging artists specializing in the design, fabrication, and installation of outdoor sculptures. Up to four sculptures will be selected to be exhibited from January 2027 through January 2028.

Honorarium: Each participating artist will receive a fee of $5,000 in recognition of the annual loan of their artwork. This amount is intended to support associated costs such as transportation, installation, and storage. No additional compensation will be provided. An initial payment of $4,000 will be disbursed upon installation and submission of all necessary documentation, with the remaining $1,000 to be issued upon deinstallation and completion of required paperwork. Orange County has partnered with the City of Winter Park for their ‘Art on the Green’ program. If selected for Sculpture on the Lawn, you may be offered a one-year exhibition extension in Winter Park’s Seven Oaks Park.

Selection Criteria: The three main considerations are creativity, site appropriateness and durability. Applicants may submit images of existing sculptures and conceptual designs. If the proposed project is in the planning or developmental stage, artists should furnish detailed visuals and descriptions to demonstrate the anticipated final appearance, as well as evidence of prior work to assure the Selection Panel of the feasibility, completion, and successful installation by January 2027.

Selection Panel: Members of the Orange County Public Art Review Board will be responsible for the selection process. The Arts & Cultural Affairs Public Art Coordinator will serve as the non-voting Chair of the Selection Panel.

Sites and Safety: While artistic excellence is highly valued, the selection process will also consider factors such as durability, safety, and suitability for the site. Artworks must be structurally sound and capable of withstanding an outdoor environment in a largely unattended area exposed to weather conditions and curious viewers. Given Orlando's subtropical climate, characterized by high temperatures, humidity, intense sunlight, seasonal heavy rains, and hurricane-force winds, it is important to address concerns related to corrosion, fading, and general deterioration. Orange County provides 12’ x 12’ concrete pads for installation, and sculptures must be securely anchored to these surfaces. If electrical components are included, they must be properly installed with secure wiring connections in accordance with safety standards, as electrical outlets are available at each sculpture site.

Artist Responsibilities: Selected artists are required to provide the weight of their sculpture, along with detailed installation instructions, to facilitate coordination with the installation team and Orange County staff. Artists are responsible for arranging transportation of their artwork to the designated site on the specified date. For international shipments to the United States, the artist’s designated shipping or customs representative must serve as both the verified exporter and importer to ensure smooth processing and delivery.

Insurance: Orange County insures the artwork up to its stated value or $50,000, whichever is less, against theft or major vandalism once installed. The artist will be responsible for any repairs needed due to fabrication defects or reasonable wear and tear of the object in a public location. Artists are encouraged but not required to secure liability insurance.

Sales: Sales of artworks are welcomed and encouraged. All sales inquiries will be directed to the artist or their designated representative. No commission fees will be applicable. Please note that sculptures must remain on display on-site until January 2028.

Application Requirements:

• There is a 6-foot minimum height preference. The sky is the limit for the maximum height. Please ensure that the sculpture’s base fits within a 12’ x 12’ footprint.
• Artists may submit up to five separate applications. Each sculpture must be submitted as a distinct application.
• A minimum of three images is required, with a maximum of five images. Submissions may include photographs of completed works or conceptual renderings. If submitting conceptual images, please provide supplementary information to clarify the final appearance and confirm that the work will be completed and installed as proposed.
• Clearly indicate if the work is existing or a proposed new work.
• Remove artist names and watermarks from images.
• DEADLINE: Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 11:59pm EDT. All applications, resumes, images, and supporting materials must be submitted electronically via the CaFÉ.

Timeline:

• Art Call Launch:  Wednesday, February 25, 2026
• Proposals Due: Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 11:59pm EDT
• Artists Notification: by or before May 22, 2026
• Installation Instructions Due: November 16, 2026
• Virtual Installation Meeting: January 6, 2027, at 11 a.m. EST
• Installation Day: Thursday, January 14, 2027, at 8 a.m. EST
• Artists’ Lunch on the Lawn: Thursday, January 14, 2027, at 12:30 p.m. EST
• Opening Reception: Friday, January 15, 2027, at 5:30 p.m. EST
• International Sculpture Day: Saturday, April 24, 2027
• Deinstallation: January 13, 2028
   

Contact: Dawn Knight, Public Art Project Coordinator, Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs at Dawn.Knight@ocfl.net, 407-836-5540.

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

Application Requirements

• There is a 6-foot minimum height preference. The sky is the limit for the maximum height. Please ensure that the sculpture’s base fits within a 12’ x 12’ footprint.
• Artists may submit up to five separate applications. Each sculpture must be submitted as a distinct application.
• A minimum of three images is required, with a maximum of five images. Submissions may include photographs of completed works or conceptual renderings. If submitting conceptual images, please provide supplementary information to clarify the final appearance and confirm that the work will be completed and installed as proposed.
• Clearly indicate if the work is existing or a proposed new work.
• Remove artist names and watermarks from images.
• DEADLINE: Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 11:59pm EDT. All applications, resumes, images, and supporting materials must be submitted electronically via the CaFÉ.

Eligibility Criteria

Sculpture on the Lawn is available to professional sculptors, as well as students and emerging artists specializing in the design, fabrication, and installation of outdoor sculptures. Up to four sculptures will be selected to be exhibited from January 2027 through January 2028. The three main considerations are creativity, site appropriateness and durability.