City of Tampa Public Art Commission: Osborne Underpass Mural

The City of Tampa is seeking artists to create commissioned artwork for two gravity walls under the interstate along Osborne Avenue between Central Avenue and Nebraska Avenue in the Seminole Heights neighborhood. Each wall measures approximately 211 feet x 8 feet. The committee may select one artist for both walls or two artists. This opportunity is open to artists who work in painted murals or who incorporate tile in their work; regional artists are encouraged to apply. The selected artist is expected to engage the community in some fashion during the project.

Incorporating art in these spaces aims to create a more inviting and safe environment for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles. The project supports traffic calming goals and the City and FDOT's Vision Zero mission to eliminate roadway deaths and life-altering injuries while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all.

The project budget is $140,000 to cover artwork on both gravity walls including prep work (pressure washing and priming) and all expenses including design, fabrication, installation, travel, insurance, and other costs. Artists must submit ten images of past work comparable to the opportunity, a current professional resume (limit three pages) emphasizing public art experience, and a statement of interest (up to 3,000 characters) describing why this opportunity is appealing and relevant to their work. Work sample descriptions are optional. Do not submit a proposal or visual illustration with your application; artists who do will be disqualified. The Art Selection Committee will conduct a blind review of images, then review resumes and statements. The committee may select finalists directly or request refined proposals. Finalists selected: Q1 2025; Contract: Q1 2025; Community Outreach: Q2 2025; Installation: Q3 2025. Open to visual artists with experience executing ideas from concept to completion and working in the public realm with public agencies.