Newport Beach Civic Center Sculpture Exhibition - Phase X

The City of Newport Beach announces a call for entries for Phase X of its ongoing Sculpture Exhibition at Civic Center Park. Up to ten artworks may be selected and showcased for three years in the 14-acre, ocean-view site designed by renowned landscape architect Peter Walker. The park serves as the heart of Newport Beach, home to City Hall, administrative offices, and the Central Library building, and welcomes residents and visitors year-round for free concerts, art shows, docent-led sculpture tours, and trail walks.

Artists, private collectors, galleries, and museums/non-profit institutions are invited to submit original artworks for installation from June 2026 to June 2029. The City seeks a well-balanced exhibit emphasizing a variety of styles, types, and sizes with a diverse pool of artists. Selection criteria include artistic merit with substantial professional qualifications and originality; durability of high-quality materials that can withstand coastal Southern California elements for three years; and site responsiveness appropriate in scale, material, and content for the park environment. Artworks must be finished, installation-ready, and physically located in the United States at submission. Installation will occur June 1-26, 2026, with deinstallation in June 2029.

Applications must include 2-4 images of the artwork, a 25-word maximum description, physical specifications (materials, dimensions, weight, installation needs), estimated artwork value, current location, previous exhibition history, outdoor installation experience or preparation plan, relevance to Civic Center Park, public art experience, and a preliminary budget not exceeding the $7,500 honorarium (covering transportation, insurance, and artist fee). A resume/CV of no more than two pages is required. All applicants must be over 18; submissions of proposals, renderings, miniatures, or unfinished work are ineligible.