Tarpon Springs Black Heritage Project

The City of Tarpon Springs is seeking two artists for the Black Heritage Project, a public art competition celebrating the unique relationship between the black sponge hookers from the Bahamas and Florida Keys, the Greeks from the Dodecanese Islands, and the "crackers" (Florida cowboys) who shaped the city's early settlement and development. This fellowship has not been recognized in public art.

The project will be located at two prominent city-owned sites: the Sponge Docks and the Union Academy neighborhood. Artists are encouraged to research the history of early Tarpon Springs through the Public Art Committee (PAC) or the Tarpon Area Historical Society. The medium and artistic approach are open to the artist's creativity, with free expression addressing the theme encouraged. The total art project budget is $135,000 ($67,500 per location), though this may be negotiated depending on project scope. The budget covers all artist costs including design, application, and installation.

Two finalists will be selected by the Selection Panel and each will receive a $750 artist fee upon completion of their project. One finalist must then be approved by the Tarpon Springs Public Art Committee for presentation to the City Manager and Board of Commissioners. The selection deadline is October 29, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. Finalists will be notified by December 13, 2021. Artists should submit one email with a brief statement of interest, up to two concept proposals with illustrations, a resume (maximum one page), and up to six images of past work with identification details (maximum five pages total). Applications should be sent to Diane Wood at [email protected] with "Black Heritage Project Application" in the subject line. Preference is given to artists residing in Tarpon Springs or the surrounding area with experience completing similar-scale projects.