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The City of Lakeland, Florida, in cooperation with the Polk Museum of Art, is accepting submissions from sculptors for the 27th Annual Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition for a one-year exhibition in downtown Lakeland, Florida.
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Get matched →The City of Lakeland, Florida, in cooperation with the Polk Museum of Art, is accepting submissions from sculptors for the 27th Annual Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition. Submitted sculptures will be juried by representatives from the City, the Polk Museum of Art, and members of the local art community. The top-scoring sculptures will be selected for a one-year exhibition in downtown Lakeland, Florida. Sculptures will be on loan from February 2027 through January 2028. Sculptures will be publicized, and a People’s Choice Award will be awarded based on community voting. This call for entries is open to all sculptors working in North America.
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Work must be suitable for outdoor installation and must be structurally secured and surface mounted to a concrete pad with anchor bolts or similar devices. Sculptures must be capable of withstanding adverse weather conditions (high winds, high temperatures, heavy rain, storms, etc.) and a high traffic, public park environment. They must also take into consideration the safety of the audience and be maintenance-free during the exhibition period. Any additional costs are the responsibility of the artist.
Installation must be accomplished by the artist or their provided representative with tools provided by the artist (there will be access to a crane if notice is given in advance). City of Lakeland, FL, staff will coordinate the scheduling of sculpture installation. Crane and City crews are only available on weekdays between the hours of 7am - 8:30am. If a crane is required for installation, the artist MUST have the work on-site by 7 a.m. on the scheduled installation day. The City of Lakeland will attempt to utilize the current concrete pads. A specific shape for the concrete pad cannot be guaranteed. All pieces must be surface-mounted to the pad.
Artists may sell the work during the project period. However, the work must remain on site for the duration of the exhibition. The City of Lakeland will provide insurance coverage throughout the exhibition period, with a maximum claim amount determined by the value of each piece. Neither the City of Lakeland nor the Polk Museum of Art will be held responsible for damage due to inherent vice or poor construction materials.
Works will be selected by a committee composed of City of Lakeland staff, representatives from the Polk Museum of Art, and select members of the local arts community. Incomplete or late applications will not be juried. Additionally, sculptures that do not meet the requirements listed (e.g., incomplete works or proposals) will not be juried.
A simple majority vote will determine the winner of the People’s Choice Award via a survey method administered by the City of Lakeland. (The City of Lakeland retains the right to adjust the voting method if deemed necessary.)