21st 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 21st Annual Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition. This call is open to all sculptors working in North America. Selected sculptures will be exhibited in downtown Lakeland for one year, from February 2021 through February 2022. 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.

Submissions must be received by December 31, 2020, with a $25 non-refundable application fee per artist. 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, maintenance-free during the exhibition period, and installed no later than March 1, 2021. Each selected artist will receive a $1,500 honorarium to cover transportation, installation, and de-installation costs. The People's Choice Award winner receives an additional $1,500.

Submissions must include up to three works (3 views each) as .jpg images, an image list with dimensions in feet, estimated weight, and value, and a current professional résumé and artist statement (optional). All entries must be completed prior to submission; no incomplete works, project proposals, or previously displayed works will be considered. Artists may sell their work during the exhibition period, but it must remain on site for the full duration. Installation must be accomplished by the artist or their representative using their own tools, though crane access is available with advance notice. The City of Lakeland will provide insurance throughout the exhibition period based on the declared value of each piece.