Sandy Spring Museum
Submit a portfolio of 5–10 relevant images, artist resume, artist statement, personal connection to Sandy Spring/region, description of community engagement approach, and preliminary functional art concept (up to 250 words) for consideration in Phase I of a two-phase process to create permanent outdoor functional artworks for the Museum campus.
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Get matched →- Deadline
- 29 days left
- Entry fee
- Not listed - check the source
- Award
- $1,000
- Location
- Sandy Spring Museum, Sandy Spring region, Montgomery County, Maryland
- Applicants notified
- Nov 2, 2026
About
Overview
Sandy Spring Museum is seeking artists to create permanent functional outdoor artworks for its campus that combine artistic expression with everyday use. Selected works will become part of a long-term cultural landscape initiative that includes public art, environmental stewardship, and regional storytelling. At least one work is planned for installation each year over several years.
What is Functional Art?
Functional art may include seating, gathering spaces, bike racks, interpretive elements, trail features, landscape structures, or other artworks that combine artistic expression with everyday use. Works should be designed for permanent outdoor installation with minimal ongoing maintenance, be safe for public use, and be fully functional for their intended purpose.
Eligibility
- Artists residing in Maryland, Virginia, or the District of Columbia
- Emerging and established artists welcome
- Individuals or groups may apply
- Underrepresented artists especially encouraged
Selection Criteria
- Artistic excellence
- Experience completing public art projects
- Ability to create durable outdoor work
- Interest in local history and culture
- Approach to community engagement
- Feasibility
Phase I Application Requirements
Complete applications must include: artist's resume and artist statement; portfolio of relevant works (5–10 images, preferably with a digital portfolio link); description of your personal connection to Sandy Spring or the region; description of how you typically engage communities when developing site-specific work; and preliminary idea (up to 250 words). Phase I does not require developed designs, drawings, renderings, fabrication plans, or a project budget.
Phase II Details
Artists selected for Phase I will be invited to develop a site-specific proposal and will receive a $1,000 honorarium. Phase II submissions must include: developed concept with drawings/sketches/renderings; proposed location, dimensions, materials, function, and fabrication/installation approach; description of the work's connection to place, community, or history; proposed community engagement approach if applicable; project timeline; and detailed project budget. The Museum anticipates total project budgets of $15,000–$25,000, although larger budgets may be considered for exceptional proposals.
Key Dates
- August 5, 2026: Call for Artists issued
- September 18, 2026: Phase I applications due
- November 2, 2026: All artists notified of Phase I results
- Winter 2027: Phase II anticipated to begin
- Phase II submissions due approximately six weeks after invitation
Contact
Questions may be directed to Programs & Exhibits Coordinator Yu Jie at (301) 774-0022.
- Award
- $1,000 honorarium for Phase II proposal development; potential project commission with budgets of $15,000–$25,000
- Theme
- Functional artworks inspired by the stories, traditions, landscapes, agricultural history, immigrant communities, and living cultural heritage of the Sandy Spring region and Montgomery County.
- Eligibility
- Artists residing in Maryland, Virginia, or the District of Columbia; emerging and established artists welcome; applications encouraged from underrepresented artists.
- Audience
- Artists living in Maryland, Virginia, or the District of Columbia; emerging and established artists, individuals or groups
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