23rd Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition

The City of Lakeland, Florida is accepting submissions from sculptors for the 23rd Annual Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition. Selected sculptures will be exhibited in downtown Lakeland for one year, from February 2023 through February 2024. Works 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.

This call is open to all sculptors working in North America. The entry fee is $25 per artist. Submissions must include images of up to three works (3 views each in .jpg format), an image list with dimensions in feet (h x w x d), estimated weight, value, and other applicable notes, and an optional professional résumé and artist statement. All entries must be completed prior to submission; incomplete works, project proposals, and previously displayed works will not be considered.

Selected artists will receive a $1,700 honorarium to cover transportation, installation, de-installation, and incidental expenses. The People's Choice Award winner receives an additional $1,500. Sculptures must be structurally secured and surface mounted to a concrete pad with anchor bolts or similar devices, capable of withstanding adverse weather and high-traffic public park environments, maintenance-free during the exhibition period, and installed by March 1, 2023. Sculptures must be removed by January 31, 2024. Artists may sell their work during the exhibition period but must keep it on-site for the duration. Installation will be coordinated by City of Lakeland staff; crane and city crews are available weekdays before 3 p.m. The City will provide insurance throughout the exhibition period. Artists are responsible for any costs beyond the honorarium.