16th Annual Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition

The Polk Museum of Art, in cooperation with the cities of Lakeland, Sebring, and Bonita Springs, Florida, is accepting submissions from sculptors for the 16th Annual Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition. This call is open to all sculptors working in North America. The entry deadline is December 31, 2015, with a $25 nonrefundable application fee per artist.

Submitted sculptures will be juried by representatives from Polk Museum of Art and the participating cities. The top scoring sculptures will be selected for a one-year exhibition in one of the three cities, on loan from February 2016 through February 2017. Sculptures must be suitable for outdoor installation and capable of withstanding adverse weather conditions, high traffic public park environments, and must be maintenance-free during the exhibition period. Work must be structurally secured to concrete pads and take safety considerations into account. All entries must be completed prior to submission; no incomplete works, project proposals, or previously displayed works will be considered.

Each selected artist will receive a $1,000 honorarium to cover transportation, installation, de-installation, and incidental expenses. Sculptures must be installed no later than March 4, 2016, and removed by January 27, 2017. In Lakeland, sculptures will be judged by a visiting professional judge, with awards for Best of Show ($3,000), Second Place ($1,200), Honorable Mention ($500), and People's Choice ($500), all in addition to the $1,000 honorarium. The cities will provide insurance throughout the exhibition period for a maximum claim of $15,000. Submissions must include up to three works (1-2 views each) in .jpg format, an image list, professional résumé, and artist statement.