2026-2027 Downtown Sculpture Gallery - City of Auburn, WA

The City of Auburn invites sculptors to submit applications for Auburn's Downtown Sculpture Gallery, a public art exhibition showcasing 11+ sculptures throughout its historic downtown. The works selected will be on loan to the City for twelve months (September 2026 – September 2027) and can be available for sale during that time. Each selected artist will receive a $1,000 stipend. At the conclusion of the exhibition, a sculpture from the exhibition may be purchased for inclusion in the City of Auburn's permanent collection with a purchase budget of $10,000.

Eligibility is limited to sculptors or artist teams living or working in the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, and Montana). Artists are required to deliver their artwork in person to Auburn, Washington. Sculptural works must be three-dimensional, suitable for outdoor display, made of durable materials, and able to withstand the elements as well as interaction with pedestrians and the general public. Sculptures must not exceed 300 pounds and must be available for the full loan period of September 14, 2026 - September 17, 2027. Applicants may submit up to ten sculptures for consideration, with one image per artwork (detail images combined into one JPEG). Existing sculptures as well as artwork proposals are accepted; proposals can be submitted as sketches or illustrations combined into one JPEG with examples of other work demonstrating artistry, proficiency, and finish quality.

Artwork will be located throughout Auburn's downtown with locations assigned by City staff. Sculptures can be welded onto or bolted onto a steel plate attached to a concrete pedestal. The artist is responsible for transportation and installation of the artwork with some city assistance. The City of Auburn will provide insurance for the sculpture while on display, but not for damage incurred during installation and/or deinstallation.