--- title: Barber Park Recreation Center—RFQ description: RFQ for free-standing sculpture or 2D art at Orange County's new Barber Park Recreation Center in Orlando, FL. $29,100 commission budget, $300 design stipend. url: https://www.artsume.com/programs/a67f66ea-9ed0-45da-9c56-875ceedfb76a type: program status: closed createdAt: "2026-09-04" updatedAt: "2026-10-08" programType: Public art organization: Orange County Government organizationUrl: https://www.artsume.com/o/orange-county-government deadline: "2026-10-07" location: Orange County Barber Park Recreation Center, Orlando, FL, United States isOnline: false compensationRange: $29,100 commission budget for artwork design, fabrication, materials and installation; $300 stipend paid to each shortlisted artist for their proposal. disciplines: - sculpture - public art - two-dimensional art careerStages: - Emerging artist - Mid-career - Established --- # Barber Park Recreation Center—RFQ **Hosted by:** Orange County Government **Type:** Public art | **Location:** Orange County Barber Park Recreation Center, Orlando, FL, United States | **Deadline:** October 7, 2026 ## About This Program > "A dynamic environment that encourages interaction and playfulness, with vibrant colors, sensory textures and kinetic components connecting to a lively multigenerational community space" ### Project Description The Orange County Public Art Review Board and Orange County Parks and Recreation are seeking applications from individual artists or artist teams to create artwork for the Orange County Barber Park Recreation Center in southeast Orlando, Florida. Barber Park currently features many spaces dedicated to community engagement with pavilions and playgrounds, dog park, skatepark, and an outdoor open-air hockey rink located on the shores of Lake George. The addition of the Barber Park Recreation Center will further help to serve the needs of the multigenerational community by providing social service programs and recreation space with a large gymnasium, fitness center, and multipurpose activity rooms. Proposed artwork should create a dynamic environment that encourages interaction and playfulness. Sculptures must be free standing and not climbable. Design possibilities may include a canopy that plays with light, shade structure with seating, sensory elements featuring varied textures (touchable) and kinetic components. Two-dimensional art should incorporate vibrant colors and themes connecting to this lively community space, with the option to incorporate different textures for sensory engagement. ### Site - Sculpture lighting will be provided. Flag poles and landscaping will be adjusted to sculpture placement. - 2D Art areas are both the exterior entrance and lobby areas. ### Background Orange County is a rapidly growing metropolitan area of more than one million residents that contains the City of Orlando and a dozen other municipalities. We are a minority majority community with over 160 languages spoken in public schools. A recent study indicates that by 2030 Orlando may be the most diverse major metro area in the world. The county values innovation, collaboration, and inclusion. ### Budget $29,100 has been approved for artwork. The selected artist(s) or team(s) will be awarded a comprehensive contract (or contracts). The artist will be responsible for artwork design, fabrication, materials, installation, insurance, travel, public presentations, meetings with Orange County staff as necessary, identification plaque, and all related incidental expenses. ### Selection Process A selection panel consisting of the project manager, stakeholders and art professionals will review artists' qualifications. Several artists will be selected to provide site specific proposals and will be paid a stipend of $300 each for their proposal. Final artist(s) selection will take place after review of the proposals. The Orange County Public Art Coordinator serves as the non-voting Chair of the Selection panel. The Public Artist Selection Panel and Orange County reserve the right to reject any or all applications, proposals, applicants, or projects, and to modify or terminate the application process or the selection process for any reason and without prior notice. ### Eligibility This opportunity is open to professional artists working in any appropriate media. Student artists may apply if they can secure an experienced public artist to serve as a mentor to oversee their work. Selected artists will need to work with a structural engineer to verify stability and suitability to withstand Florida's sun, heat, and hurricane force winds. ### Selection Criteria Artists will be evaluated on artistic excellence as evidenced by submitted materials; professional experience; compatibility with the architectural design, facility environment and values of the county and this particular community. ### Application Requirements - Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs uses the CaFÉ Call for Entry online service for its public art selection process. - Experience with public art projects with a similar budget is not required but helpful. - A minimum of one (1) image is required, and the maximum is 5. This is a Request for Qualifications; images of finished sculptures or conceptual drawings can be submitted. - A brief Artist Statement prepared for a blind jury (1000 characters limit). - A brief Career Statement prepared for a blind jury (1000 characters limit). - A brief Letter of Interest prepared for a blind jury (1000 characters limit). - Professional resume (teams must submit resumes for each member). - Selected artists must complete W-9 Vendor Registration Form. - Selected artists will need to sign an Orange County provided artist agreement. - Selected artists must acquire all required insurance documents. ### Timeline - Submission Deadline: October 7, 2026, at 11:59 EDT - The submission date has been extended, and this timeline will be updated once dates are settled. - Installation: Summer to Fall 2027 ## Eligibility & Requirements - **Career Stage:** Emerging artist, Mid-career, Established - **Geographic Eligibility:** International - **Disciplines:** sculpture, public art, two-dimensional art - **Note:** Requirement Overview Location Eligibility Type: International Eligible Applicant Types: Artist Submission Limit: 1 **Eligibility** This opportunity is open to professional artists working in any appropriate media. Student artists may apply if they can secure an experienced public artist to serve as a mentor to oversee their work. Selected artists will need to work with a structural engineer to verify stability and suitability to withstand Florida’s sun, heat, and hurricane force winds. ### Additional Requirements - A minimum of one (1) image is required, and the maximum is 5. This is a Request for Qualifications; images of finished sculptures or conceptual drawings can be submitted. - A brief Artist Statement prepared for a blind jury (1000 characters limit). - A brief Career Statement prepared for a blind jury (1000 characters limit). - A brief Letter of Interest prepared for a blind jury (1000 characters limit). - Professional resume (teams must submit resumes for each member). - Selected artists must complete W-9 Vendor Registration Form. - Selected artists will need to sign an Orange County provided artist agreement. - Selected artists must acquire all required insurance documents. ## Compensation & Benefits $29,100 commission budget for artwork design, fabrication, materials and installation; $300 stipend paid to each shortlisted artist for their proposal. **Includes:** Commission fee, Stipend $29,100 has been approved for artwork. The selected artist(s) or team(s) will be awarded a comprehensive contract (or contracts). The artist will be responsible for artwork design, fabrication, materials, installation, insurance, travel, public presentations, meetings with Orange County staff as necessary, identification plaque, and all related incidental expenses. Several artists will be selected to provide site specific proposals and will be paid a stipend of $300 each for their proposal. ## Timeline - **Opens:** June 25, 2026 - **Deadline:** October 7, 2026 ## Contact **Contact:** Dawn R. Knight, Public Art Coordinator **Email:** Dawn.Knight@ocfl.net **Phone:** 407-766-0632 ## How to Apply Apply at: https://artist.callforentry.org/agreetoterms.php?ID=17771