2019 Underwater Museum of Art

The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) in partnership with the South Walton Artificial Reef Association (SWARA) invites artists to submit proposals for the Underwater Museum of Art (UMA), the first and only permanent underwater sculpture museum in the United States. Nine artists will be commissioned to develop design proposals and create original artwork to be permanently installed in the UMA, located .7 miles off the coast of Grayton Beach State Park in South Walton, Florida. Each commissioned artist will receive a $5,500 stipend inclusive of design fees, materials, labor, fabrication, construction, packing materials, shipping, and transportation. The second installation will be deployed in Summer 2019.

Artists must have a demonstrated history of completing large-scale public art projects. Artist teams must have a demonstrated history of collaboration. Sculptures must be the artist's own creation and adhere to specific requirements: minimum dimensions of 5 feet x 5 feet, maximum dimensions of 12 feet x 12 feet, minimum weight of 500 lbs, and maximum weight of 3,000 lbs. Clean concrete and limestone are the only approved materials for the bulk of the sculpture; stainless steel and aluminum may be incorporated if ½" gauge or greater. Hollow, voluminous designs must include a top-side turtle escape of 36 inches or greater in size. No political, religious, or discriminatory designs will be considered.

Submissions must include a schematic drawing or scale model with title, concept, artist statement, height, weight, and materials; six digital high-resolution images of completed work; an optional video of no more than two minutes; an annotated image list; artist's resume or CV; and a one-page letter of interest. Artist teams must include a list of key members and their roles, and the physical address where the sculpture will be constructed. Following the application deadline, a panel of arts and marine environment specialists will review applications and select four to eight proposals for completion and installation. Selected artists will have approximately three months to complete and deliver work to Walton County, FL for exhibition before transportation to the Gulf for installation at approximately 60 feet depth.