2023 Outdoor Public Art - Sculptures Frankfort, KY

In partnership with the City of Frankfort, Josephine Sculpture Park is seeking contemporary public artworks for a 2-year outdoor exhibit in public spaces throughout downtown Frankfort. The Frankfort Sculpture Trail is a curated exhibition of outdoor sculpture displayed throughout the heart of downtown Frankfort, a collaboration between FrankArts, Josephine Sculpture Park, the City of Frankfort, and Frankfort Tourism Commission. Over the next 2 years, the Trail will highlight over 25 sculptures, including pieces from private and permanent collections. Up to 15 sculptures will be on loan from selected artists and on display for 2 years.

This Call for Art is open to all artists 18 and over. Proposals can be new or existing work; if existing, work must have been created within the past 3 years. Artists working in a variety of materials are encouraged to apply, including stone, metal, wood, concrete, found objects, natural materials, plastics, fiberglass, light, and sound. Artwork should be physically and thematically suitable for exhibition in public spaces. Sculptures must be a minimum of 4 feet in at least one direction and no taller than 20 feet. Art must be ready for installation by November 2023 and will remain on exhibit for 2 years, with de-installation in October 2025. Sculptures must be able to be installed with sufficient anchoring to prevent removal or damage from adverse weather and must be maintenance-free for the duration of the exhibition.

Up to 15 works will be selected based on artistic merit, creativity, and durability. Selected artists will receive an artist stipend of up to $2,000 per sculpture: $1,000 upon delivery and $1,000 upon removal. Sculptures sold during the exhibition will not receive the removal stipend. Selected artists are eligible for reimbursement of up to $500 in actual shipping/delivery expenses. JSP will provide comprehensive insurance at the site with a $1,000 deductible. Participating sculptures will receive widespread marketing including photos in print brochures and online, with each sculpture receiving a sign indicating title, medium, artist, and contact information. Artists are encouraged to sell their sculptures during the exhibition; JSP will retain a 30% commission on sales. Submissions must include an artist statement (limited to 2,000 characters), CV/resume, artwork title and brief statement, installation information, and 2-4 images showing all sides of the work. For sculptures with sound, light, or kinetic components, artists may email a maximum 1 short video (no more than 3 minutes). Submissions must be made electronically through the CaFÉ website by 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on August 21, 2023. Artists may submit up to 3 works for consideration.