19th Annual Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition

The City of Lakeland, Florida, in cooperation with the Polk Museum of Art, is accepting submissions from sculptors for the 19th Annual Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition. Selected sculptures will be exhibited for one year in downtown Lakeland from February 2019 through February 2020. Sculptures will be juried by representatives from the City of Lakeland, the Polk Museum of Art, and members of the local art community. A People's Choice Award will be given based on community voting via the City of Lakeland Facebook page.

This call is open to all sculptors working in North America. The entry deadline is December 31, 2018, with a $25 nonrefundable application fee per artist. Submissions must include up to three works (1-2 views each) as .jpg images, an image list with dimensions in feet (h x w x d), value of work, and other applicable notes, a current professional résumé, and an artist statement. All materials must be submitted electronically; slides or printed photographs will not be accepted.

Work must be suitable for outdoor installation and capable of withstanding adverse weather conditions, high traffic, and public park environments. Sculptures must be structurally secured and surface mounted to a concrete pad with anchor bolts or similar devices, be maintenance-free during the exhibition period, and take safety considerations into account. Installation must be completed by March 1, 2019, and sculptures must be removed by January 31, 2020. Each selected artist will receive a $1,500 honorarium to cover transportation, installation, de-installation, and incidental expenses. The People's Choice Award winner receives an additional $1,000. Artists may sell work during the exhibition period, but it must remain onsite for the duration. Installation will be coordinated by City of Lakeland staff, with crane and city crews available on weekdays before 3 p.m. The City of Lakeland will provide insurance throughout the exhibition period for a maximum claim based on each piece's value.