---
title: Central Bank Center Public Art RFQ
description: National RFQ for a semi-permanent public artwork on the west façade of Central Bank Center in Lexington, KY. Approximately $1,000,000 implementation budget.
url: https://www.artsume.com/programs/a678f256-8e05-4d22-bf19-43f736eb7509
type: program
status: closed
createdAt: "2026-09-04"
updatedAt: "2026-10-01"
programType: Public art
organization: LexArts
organizationUrl: https://www.artsume.com/o/lexarts
deadline: "2026-09-30"
location: Central Bank Center and Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY, United States
isOnline: false
compensationRange: Approximately $1,000,000 implementation budget; finalists receive a $2,500 proposal honorarium plus up to $500 travel & lodging reimbursement for a site visit
disciplines:
  - public art
  - sculpture
---

# Central Bank Center Public Art RFQ

**Hosted by:** LexArts

**Type:** Public art | **Location:** Central Bank Center and Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY, United States | **Deadline:** September 30, 2026

## About This Program

> "A landmark, site-responsive civic artwork for the west façade of Central Bank Center and Rupp Arena"

LexArts and Central Bank Center invite professional artists and artist-led teams to submit qualifications for a major public art commission on the west façade of Central Bank Center and Rupp Arena in downtown Lexington, Kentucky. The Central Bank Center Public Art Initiative seeks to commission a high-quality, semi-permanent exterior public artwork that enhances the architectural presence of Central Bank Center and Rupp Arena, creates a memorable and visually compelling experience for visitors, strengthens Lexington's identity as a center for arts, culture, and tourism, serves as an enduring civic landmark, and reflects innovation, creativity, and excellence in public art practice.

The selected artist will be expected to create a site-responsive design that considers building scale and architecture, visitor experience, visibility from multiple viewpoints, durability in exterior conditions, and safety and maintenance requirements. The selected artwork should attach to the wall and should not be a mural painted directly onto the wall surface. This is a national call open to experienced artists with a demonstrated history of creating large-scale public artworks.

## Eligibility & Requirements

- **Geographic Eligibility:** National
- **Disciplines:** public art, sculpture
- **Age Requirements:** 18+ years old
- **Note:** Open to professional artists, artist collectives, and artist-led multidisciplinary teams. Applicants should demonstrate experience with large-scale public art commissions, successful completion of projects with significant budgets, ability to collaborate with architects, engineers, fabricators, and stakeholders, and knowledge of durable materials appropriate for outdoor installations. Artists 18 years or older of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences are encouraged to apply.

- Location Eligibility Type: National.
- Eligible Applicant Types: Artist.
- Submission Limit: 1.

### Additional Requirements

1. Letter of Interest — maximum two pages, including interest in the project, artistic approach, relevant experience, and connection to the opportunity. 2. Professional Resume or CV — maximum four pages per team member. 3. Work Samples — up to ten (10) images representing completed projects, with project title, year completed, location, client, budget, materials and a brief description for each. 4. References — three professional references including contact name, organization, project relationship, email and telephone number. Media requirements: Images min 3, max 10; Video min 0, max 3; total min 3, max 10.

## Compensation & Benefits

Approximately $1,000,000 implementation budget; finalists receive a $2,500 proposal honorarium plus up to $500 travel & lodging reimbursement for a site visit

**Includes:** Commission fee, Honorarium, Travel grant

The anticipated implementation budget is approximately $1,000,000. This budget is intended to cover all costs associated with the artwork, including but not limited to: artist fees, design development, engineering, fabrication, materials, transportation, permits, installation, insurance, travel, and documentation. Each finalist will receive a $2,500 proposal honorarium and up to $500 travel & lodging reimbursement for a site visit.

## What's Provided

- **Travel Support:** Available - Up to $500 travel & lodging reimbursement for finalists' site visit.

## Timeline

- **Opens:** August 17, 2026
- **Deadline:** September 30, 2026

## Contact

**Email:** nzamarron@lexarts.org

**Phone:** 859-255-2951

## How to Apply

Apply at: https://form.jotform.com/lexarts/newsletter-signup-form