The call for artists is now closed

Project Overview:
The City of Ocala Cultural Arts office in partnership with Fine Arts for Ocala (FAFO), Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation, and Ocala Main Street is placing an open call for artists to create an engaging public art mural in downtown Ocala. This mural will be located on the ground storage tank near the Downtown Market and replace the existing mural.

The theme of this mural is Florida wildlife with focus on local Marion County flora and fauna.

Selected artist(s) must be available and onsite during FAFO Arts Festival on October 26 and 27, 2024, to present the project to the community during a ceremony. Deadline for applications September 12, 2024.

Location:
Downtown Market ground storage tank, Google Maps link.

Eligibility:
Open call is available to any artist residing and working within Florida with experience in large public murals.

Must purchase a minimum of $1,000,000 of commercial general liability insurance naming City of Ocala as an "additional insured" for the duration of the project while on City property.

Budget:
The City will provide an artist honorarium of $60,000. The City will provide 50% deposit payment with signed contract, and a 50% final payment at the completion of the project.

The City of Ocala Public Art Roster is a pre-qualified list of professional visual artists, that serves as a resource for public art selection or commissioned for art projects, both within the City and as a reference for external organizations and private entities. This roster may be used in combination with an open call, invitational or as the sole resource for identifying appropriate artists/teams for select projects based on an expedited selection process, need for a specific skillset, or a curated opportunity.

Applications are reviewed by the Ocala Municipal Arts Commission (OMAC), based on the artist’s experience and portfolio. Previously accepted artists may update their portfolio materials each year during the application period, but automatically remain on the list. There is no application fee.

Eligibility requirements:
• Must be a professional visual artist or artist team consisting of up to five artists
• Team members may not apply as individual artists and work must be submitted as a group portfolio
• Reside in the United States, or have the legal ability to work in the United States
• Public artwork should be well suited for public spaces and general audiences
• Individual and artist teams must have experience creating public art in one of the following categories listed at www.ocalafl.org/artroster

Applicants must be willing to work with a diverse group of project managers, stakeholders, and professional conservators during the design and approval process. Artists will be expected to travel to the project site and work within a fixed budget, work with committees and potentially other artists working on the same project. Selected individuals and teams will maintain a registration as a City of Ocala vendor and enter into a contract with the City.

Completing your application:
Artists should carefully consider and review their materials before submitting their application. If accepted to the Public Art Roster, the submitted portfolio will be reviewed during project call period by the project selection committee.
Applicants previously added to the Public Arts Roster do not need to apply again but may update their portfolios during the application period.

Click here to apply

The City of Ocala seeks unique, thought provoking exhibits that are appropriate for a public City space where work will be viewed by citizens and guests of all ages. Only complete applications are reviewed. Viewer engagement, artist intent and originality of ideas, and use of media and technique are all considered when an application is being considered for approval.

For more information and to apply, visit the Art in City Spaces page.

The City of Ocala Cultural Arts is dedicated to enhancing our public spaces and transforming ordinary spaces into destinations for everyone to experience.  As part of this function, Cultural Arts administers the Public Art Program, and encourages artists locally, nationally, and internationally to consider participation in the Program. The Program is City-wide and encompasses both public and private property. 

Cultural Arts is also responsible for maintaining over eighty artworks already installed as a part of the Program, as well as determining whether to accept proposed donations of artwork and curatorial work associated with the collection.

These Guidelines are intended to describe how the Program operates, especially in relationship to interested artists and the communities where Public Art projects will be located. Because of the nature, configuration and use of buildings, projects, and improvements are so varied, these Guidelines should not be read as rigid, legal standards.

View the guidelines

The City of Ocala has a regional recognition and is beginning to gain national and international recognition for its Public Art Collection, which continues to grow as a result of private and public investment. In addition, the City continually receives unsolicited and solicited proposals for exhibition, donation, or purchase/commission of public art.

It is the responsibility of the Division of Cultural Arts, to review and respond to proposals for public art in accordance with Municipal Code Section 122-968 under Form Based Code.

Read the policy by clicking here. 

Planning on adding a mural or sculpture to your property? Please complete the Public Artist Project Detail Sheet and submit to artinfo@ocalafl.org. Upon receipt of this form, you may expect a response within 30 days regarding next steps. The typical processing time for a request is 60-90 days depending on the scale, location, and type of project. All inquiries will be reviewed by the Ocala Municipal Arts Commission (OMAC) on the first Thursday of every month for approval. This form helps us know what’s happening and will guide you through the process of adding public art to our city. For any questions, please call the Ocala Cultural Arts Office at 352-629-8447. Thank you for your interest in public art!

Download the Public Artist Project Detail Sheet