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.

“An Artistic Discovery” is a nationwide program coordinated by Members of the United States House of Representatives to recognize the artistic talents of our youth.
The nationwide competition involves more than 50,000 talented high school students.
The first-place art entry from each congressional district will be displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the United States Capitol Building for an entire year.
Locally, the goal is to host a reception for the 3rd Congressional District to accommodate all students and families. Our district includes the following areas, Newport News, Portsmouth, Hampton, Norfolk, and parts of the cities of Chesapeake. The award ceremony/reception will take place May 2025 at The Downing Gross Cultural Arts Center, Newport News.

Large Scale Interactive Art Installation Rental
This initiative aims to enhance placemaking, foster community engagement, and elevate Virginia Beachʼs profile as a destination for innovative public art.

Artists/companies must carry insurance for the duration of the project, be willing to meet all contractual obligations, adhere to a strict timeline, and are subject to a background check.

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

(Note: No Deadline, this is an ongoing opportunity)

The Norfolk Public Art Commission seeks to match funds up to $25,000 to create Public Private Partnerships to create public art in Norfolk, VA.

CONTEXT: Public art is a valuable tool for creating dynamic and sustainable places. Art displayed prominently at locations within the community serves as an effective tool for creating unique and diverse destinations. Public art can also bring added texture to otherwise indistinguishable areas. Funded by 1% of the City of Norfolk’s Capital Improvement budget, the Norfolk Public Art Program has been successfully commissioning public art for the past twelve years in downtown, parking garages, the zoo, light rail stations, community centers and a variety of other public spaces.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: We are seeking private commercial developers who want to enhance their development project with public art. The Norfolk Public Art Commission will match up to $25,000 for each project.

PROJECT SITE: Artwork must be placed within Norfolk city limits at the private development site where it can be experienced by the maximum number of people.

SIZE/MEDIA: Artwork size and materials will be determined by the project site(s). Artwork must be fabricated in durable, permanent materials that are safe and easily maintained. Artwork will become the property of the City of Norfolk and will be maintained by the City.

PROJECT FUNDS: The total budget for the completed artwork will be a minimum of $50,000 with $25,000 from City Public Art funds and $25,000 or more from the developer.

TO APPLY: All commercial developers and foundations are eligible. Please submit a letter of interest to Karen Rudd, City Hall, 810 Union St., Room 409 Marketing and Communications, Norfolk, Virginia 23510 or email karen.rudd@norfolk.gov. Candidates will be interviewed prior to final selection. There is no fee to apply.

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