Downtown Putnam Permanent Sculpture Installation

The Town of Putnam, in collaboration with the Putnam Arts Council (PAC) and the Putnam Business Association (PBA), invites professional artists and artist teams to submit finished artwork or proposals for one of three permanent, site-specific outdoor sculptures in Downtown Putnam, Connecticut. This initiative is part of a joint effort to enhance the cultural vitality and visual landscape of the community through engaging and accessible public art. The three sculptures will be installed along Main Street, in locations that previously housed trees, making them ideal for impactful public art. Given this context, proposals inspired by arboreal themes, natural forms, or ecological concepts are strongly encouraged as a way to artistically reintroduce elements of nature into the urban setting.

All sculptures must be durable and weather-resistant, suitable for year-round outdoor display in the New England climate, safe and accessible, and securely mountable to a 4-foot by 4-foot concrete slab with anchor bolts. Sculptures should be sized approximately at most 6 to 10 feet high and 3 to 6 feet wide. While submissions of completed, ready-to-install sculptures are preferred, artists may also propose new works to be fabricated following selection. The artist must be present to assist in the installation to ensure proper placement and secure mounting.

The total compensation for each sculpture is up to $4,000, which must cover all expenses related to design, fabrication, and transportation to the site. Artists may request up to $1,000 before delivery to help cover materials and fabrication fees, with the remainder delivered upon completion of installation. There is a non-refundable $10 fee per application, and artists may submit multiple applications. Applications are due January 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. MST, and artists must be 18 years or older with professional experience in public art.