Barraud Park continues to be a beloved space, undergoing a $4.5 million facelift to improve accessibility and parking, while preserving its historical charm. As a gathering place for both recreation and community events, it remains a vital part of Norfolk’s cultural landscape.

THEME/STYLE: The proposed theme for public art at Barraud Park envisions a series of interconnected artworks that reflect the park’s rich history and its significance to the Norfolk community. These pieces should be healing, offering space for reflection on both the struggles and triumphs experienced there. They will showcase the park’s role in overcoming segregation, celebrating resilience, and honoring moments of joy and unity.
The artworks should be interwoven, creating a visual journey that ties together different stories, from local athletes to cultural events. Each piece will build on the others, telling a larger narrative. Thought-provoking and symbolic, the art should inspire reflection on the past while encouraging optimism for the future, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to heal and unite the community.

SIZE/MEDIUM: The artworks at Barraud Park will be viewed by pedestrians, so the scale should vary to create an engaging experience—some pieces could be small and intimate, inviting personal reflection, while others might be larger and more commanding, drawing the attention of those across the park. The mediums should be chosen with durability in mind, ensuring that they can withstand the elements and the passage of time. Materials such as weather-resistant metal, stone, ceramics, or durable mixed media will be considered. The size and medium should balance aesthetic appeal with the park’s natural landscape, allowing the art to blend harmoniously with the environment while still standing out as powerful expressions of the community’s history and resilience.

Barraud Park, a cornerstone of Norfolk’s history, has long played a vital role in the community. Officially opened in August 1928, it was the first park funded by the city to serve the African American community during the Jim Crow era. Named after Alfred V. Barraud, who donated part of his land, the park’s name carries a complicated legacy. The Barraud family, successful merchants who worked with George Washington and shipped goods to England, also reportedly offered rewards for the capture of runaway slaves, leading to questions about the park’s name and its symbolism. This conflict highlights the struggle of reconciling historical progress with painful legacies.

Designed with beautiful landscaping, open spaces, and recreational areas, Barraud Park has evolved into a hub for community life. It features an amphitheater, basketball courts, football fields, tennis courts, and baseball areas. For Arthur Ashe, the legendary tennis player and civil rights advocate, it was the only place in Norfolk where Black players could practice during segregation. The park’s significance as a space for racial integration in sports remains a powerful part of its history.

For decades, Barraud Park was also home to a successful boxing program that nurtured talent, including Keyshawn Davis, the current world lightweight boxing champion. The park’s boxing center, which helped train Olympians like Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker, was instrumental in developing young Black athletes. Coach Gloria Peek, a trailblazer for women in boxing, also made history as the first woman to coach male boxers at the Olympics in 2012.

The City of Whittier Art in Public Places Committee is seeking an artist to commission an illuminated art piece on Whittier Blvd. The art should be designed appropriately for the site given and functionally fit the dimensions in a way in which the public will visually interpret the piece on-site while driving or walking by.

The site is at the corner of a busy highway across from the newly redeveloped area in Whittier called The Groves.

The site is approximately 127ft at its longest part, by 39 ft at its widest part. It is a long and narrow parcel of land with a concrete rectangle at the Northwest side of the parcel. It has electrical access as it used to hold a sign that pointed towards Uptown Whittier. The current brick and concrete foundation can be removed.

The current budget for this project is $250,000.

CALL TO ARTISTS: $3,500 and $1K Artist Grants, The Hopper Prize, Online
DEADLINE: Tuesday, May 13, 2025, 11:59 p.m., EDT
GRANTS: Two artists will each receive $3,500 and four artists will each receive $1K. In addition to grants, 30 artists will be selected for a shortlist. Additional exposure is available via our online journal as well as our Instagram feed, currently reaching an audience over 150K.
The Hopper Prize is now accepting entries for our Spring 2025 artist grants.
This is an open call, all media eligible.
Our open call provides you with a direct path to get your work in front of an international community of curators, artists, gallerists, and arts administrators.
Submission Fee
$40.00

https://www.crt.state.la.us/Assets/OCD/arts/percentforarts/Calls/Call-for-Artists_SULCLibrary.pdf

The commissioned artwork will serve as the centerpiece of the Civil Rights Rooms within the Oliver B. Spellman Library, embodying the rich legacy and ongoing pursuit of civil rights and social justice.

The selection committee is open to various artistic interpretations and emphasizes artistic excellence and technical ability over a specific medium. Artists may propose both 2D or 3D works, including but not limited to sculpture, mixed-media installations, stained glass or light-based works, kinetic or interactive art, murals or painted panels, and mosaic compositions.

Call for Art: Aurora Central Rec Park/Plaza, CO

Plans are currently in progress to create a 14-acre community park featuring a playground, tennis and pickleball courts, a basketball court, picnic shelters, restrooms, a plaza area, open space, and a wetland designed to attract migratory birds and wildlife, complete with a pedestrian bridge. Nestled in the arid landscape along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, the park will be framed by a stunning natural backdrop. Several potential locations within the park have been identified for the inclusion of artwork.

The artwork could expand upon the exploration of movement initiated in the earlier artwork in a variety of ways such as integrating kinetic elements with movement generated by the wind (which is prevalent) or by human engagement, but this is not a requirement. The artwork should complement the surrounding landscape and natural environment that is highly valued by the neighborhood and wildlife and should not impede the view of the mountains.

The mission of Aurora’s Art in Public Places Program is to capture the pulse of the community by contributing to neighborhood development, economic vitality, and engaging the many voices of Aurora through arts and culture.

The Mobile Arts Council is searching for an experienced artist or artist team to create a larger-than-life (7’O”) realistic representation of Jimmy Buffett with pedestal, or if sitting, with a bench or low wall. This sculpture will be installed at The National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico on the Mobile River.
Contact Angela Montgomery at amontgomery@mobilearts.org or 251-432-9796 for questions regarding this project.

At the conclusion of this preliminary RFP deadline, a maximum of five finalists will be invited to present more developed design proposals to the selection committee. Final design proposals will include a detailed narrative; additional design images; a finalized budget; a schedule and workplace for the fabrication, transportation, and installation of the work; a conceptual layout; and information on quality standards in case of repairs. All applicants will be contacted with the committee’s choices from Phase I by May 9th, 2025. Applicant finalists will be compensated $1,000 for their efforts.

NOTE: Artists will propose a budget.
No fee to apply.

The Louisiana Percent for Art Program invites professional artists and artist teams to submit their qualifications for the creation of an original, site-specific artwork for the atrium of the new Student Success Center at Louisiana State University Alexandria (LSUA). This state-of-the-art facility will be a vibrant hub for student-centered services and a symbol of LSUA’s commitment to fostering academic achievement and career readiness.
This commission is open nationally to professional artists 18 and over. Proposals are not required at this time.

The Lakkos Artist Residency is a base for creatives to explore an authentic Greece city and a wonderful Greek island. The residency has just relocated to a new location that like the previous one needs a bit of an art injection. It’s a small area in Heraklion’s Old Town that time has not touched.

There are a couple of city beaches within walking distance. There is no obligation to put on a presentation at the end of an artist’s stay but if desired we often have one-night-only shows.

Duration of residency: Minimum two weeks

Open to artists internationally

All creative people are welcome to apply for a stay at the residency. The residency can accommodate a maximum of 2 artists (partners possible on request) at one time. The amount of time stayed is flexible but should be no shorter than two weeks. In winter two small dogs and a cat sometimes stay in the downstairs apartment. If you have an allergy please mention it in your application.

If you wish to apply for a stay at the Lakkos Artists Residency please email mathewhalpin@hotmail.com. In your email please explain;
What you want to do at The Lakkos Artists Residency?
Who else will be coming with you?
The dates you are interested in?
How long you would like to stay for?
How did you hear about us?
Artists statement, short biography, a link to your website, a CV or a portfolio, etc.

The Menokin Foundation in Warsaw, VA is seeking artists to propose & create a temporary art installation that revolves around the theme of self-emancipation.
Proposed artwork meant for outdoors or indoors will be accepted. Wall panel space available for artists whose work is meant for indoors: T 3 panels ~78 inches in width and ~82 inches in height.
Menokin defines “self-emancipation” as an act where one exerts autonomy over their lives under oppressive circumstances.
A two-part honorarium totaling $1,000 will be awarded

Professional visual artists or artist teams at least 18 years of age are eligible. Artists residing in Erie County and Western New York are eligible to apply. In addition, artists living outside these areas who can demonstrate significant ties to Buffalo, Western New York, Orchard Park, and/or the Buffalo Bills in their Letter of Interest are also eligible to apply.
Demonstrated experience creating commissioned public art and working with diverse community stakeholders is desired.

The Buffalo Bills Public Art Program seeks to commission professional visual artists, or artist teams, to create site-specific public artwork(s) at (new) Highmark Stadium. This artwork will be thematic, public-facing, and part of the permanent collection at the stadium.

RFQ Ceiling Based Artwork:
Open February 18, 2025.
Applications DUE March 24, 2025.

RFQ/RFP Wall-based Artwork:
Open February 18, 2025
Applications DUE April 21, 2025.

Submit your original art to Embracing Our Differences for its annual international outdoor juried art exhibit.
Cash awards: $6,000
$2,000 each for Best-in-Show Adult, Best-in-Show Student & People’s Choice
Eligibility:
Artists, professionals, amateurs, students – everyone can participate. National and international submissions are encouraged. There is no submission or entry fee and there is no limit on the number of submissions.

The Washington County Arts Council is currently accepting show proposals for 2026.
Deadline: Rolling – Must live within a 50 Mile Radius

There are options for the Main Gallery (Estimate of 50 works) and the Hall Gallery (Estimate of 30 works– suggested small group or solo show.). There is no submission fee.

30% commission on all sold work.

Visit the Virginia Association of Museum’s for museum employment in Virginia.