Downtown Putnam Permanent Sculpture Installation

The Town of Putnam, in collaboration with the Putnam Arts Council (PAC) and the Putnam Business Association (PBA), is seeking proposals for three permanent outdoor sculptures to be installed along Main Street in Downtown Putnam. These sculptures will replace former tree sites and are intended to reflect the town's creativity and natural heritage.

Compensation of up to $4,000 is available per sculpture, which includes design, fabrication, and transportation. 

About Putnam, CT

Nestled in the northeastern corner of Connecticut, Putnam has a rich industrial and cultural history rooted in textile manufacturing, railroads, and river commerce. Over the past few decades, Putnam has transformed itself into a lively destination for the arts, small business, and creative placemaking. Its walkable downtown is home to art galleries, independent shops, vibrant eateries, artist studios, and live performance venues. Events such as the annual Putnam Fine Arts and Crafts Festival, local theater productions, seasonal markets, and other cultural events have helped establish Putnam as a hub for creative activity in Connecticut’s Quiet Corner. Public art plays an essential role in this identity, and this sculpture project continues that tradition by celebrating artistic expression in the heart of downtown.

Project Overview

The Town of Putnam, in collaboration with the Putnam Arts Council (PAC) and the Putnam Business Association (PBA), invites professional artists and artist teams to submit finished artwork or proposals for one of three permanent, site-specific outdoor sculptures in Downtown Putnam, Connecticut.

This initiative is part of a joint effort to enhance the cultural vitality and visual landscape of the community through engaging and accessible public art.

The three sculptures will be installed along Main Street, in locations that previously housed trees. These tree sites, now available for creative reuse, are embedded within a highly visible and walkable area, making them ideal for impactful public art. Given this context, proposals inspired by arboreal themes, natural forms, or ecological concepts are strongly encouraged as a way to artistically reintroduce elements of nature into the urban setting.

Each installation will serve as a dynamic feature in the downtown corridor, reflecting Putnam’s unique character, history, and creative spirit. All sculptures must be:

• Durable and weather-resistant, suitable for year-round outdoor display in the New England climate
• Safe and accessible, as they will be placed in a public and walkable area
• Securely mountable to a 4-foot by 4-foot concrete slab with anchor bolts or comparable method
  Sized approximately at most 6 to 10 feet high and 3 to 6 feet wide
  While submissions of completed, ready-to-install sculptures are preferred, they are not required. Artists may also propose new works to be fabricated following selection.
• The artist must be present to assist in the installation to ensure that the sculpture is properly placed and securely mounted.

Project Goals

• Enhance the visual appeal and pedestrian experience of Downtown Putnam
• Celebrate the town’s identity, heritage, and creative spirit
• Create engaging, accessible public artworks that foster community pride and cultural tourism
• Encourage interaction and connection through contemporary sculpture
• Honor and reinterpret the presence of nature in the urban landscape through artistic expression

Compensation

The total compensation for each sculpture is up to $4,000, which must cover all expenses related to the design and fabrication of the artwork, as well as transportation to the site.

Artists may request to be funded up to $1000 before delivery of work to help cover materials, and fabrication fees associated with the artwork.  Remainder, or full, compensation of artwork will be delivered to the artist upon completion of installation.  

Note: Installation and site preparation will be handled by the Town of Putnam in coordination with the selected artist(s).

The artist must be present to assist with installation to ensure proper placement and secure mounting.

Artists may submit either completed sculptures (A) or proposals for new works to be fabricated (B). There is a non-refundable $10 fee per application. Artists may submit multiple applications for additional artworks. 

 Please follow the submission guidelines below based on the type of work you are proposing:

A. Application for Completed Sculptures

If you are submitting an already finished sculpture, please include the following:

• Letter of Interest
  • A one-page narrative outlining your artistic background, vision for the project, and your connection (if any) to the region.
     
• Artwork Description
  • Title, dimensions (must be at most 6–10 feet high by 3–6 feet wide), weight, materials
  • Conceptual background or artist statement
  • Installation needs or requirements (e.g., anchoring method)
  • Note: Sculptures must be able to be securely bolted or permanently affixed to a 4’ x 4’ concrete pad with 3/8” to ¼” anchor or expansion bolts.
  • Explanation of how the work responds to the project goals and arboreal theme (if applicable)
    
     
• Photographs of the Work
  • Up to 5 high-quality images showing multiple angles
  • Indicate whether the work has been exhibited before
    
     
• Compensation Request and Transport Plan
  • Purchase price of the sculpture (up to $4,000)
  • Plan for transporting the sculpture to Putnam
  • Note: Installation and site prep will be handled by the Town with the assistance of the artist. The artist must be present to assist in the installation
    
     
• (Optional) Portfolio
  • Up to 5 images of past work
• (Optional) Artist Resume/CV
  • no more than 3 pages

B. Proposals for Works in Design or Not Yet Completed

If you are proposing a sculpture to be created after selection, please include:

• Letter of Interest
  • A one-page narrative outlining your vision for the project, your approach to public art, and your connection (if any) to the region.
• Concept Proposal
  • Description of the proposed artwork (up to 2 pages)
  • Conceptual drawings, sketches, renderings, or models
  • Explanation of materials, dimensions (should be at most 6–12 feet high and 3–6 feet wide), and design intent
  • Sculptures must be designed for permanent mounting 4’ x 4’ concrete pad with 3/8” to ¼” anchor or expansion bolts.
  • Statement on how the work aligns with the arboreal or ecological themes and project goals
  • Any special considerations for fabrication or installation
• Portfolio
  • Up to 5 images of past relevant work
  • Image list including title, year, medium, dimensions, and location
     
• Estimated Compensation Request and Timeline
  • Estimated expenses for design, materials, fabrication, and transportation (total not to exceed $4,000)
  • Estimated production schedule
  • Note: Installation and site prep will be handled by the Town with the assistance of the artist. The artist must be present to assist in the installation
• (Optional) Artist Resume/CV
  • no more than 3 pages

Selection Criteria

The selection process will be conducted by a jury composed of representatives from the Putnam Business Association (PBA), the Putnam Arts Council (PAC), Town of Putnam officials, Putnam Area Foundation Representative and local business owners.

• Proposals will be evaluated based on:
• Artistic merit and originality
• Artwork relevance to site
• Artist’s connection to Putnam, Ct if applicable
• Durability, maintainability, and suitability for outdoor installation in New England weather conditions
• Experience with public art projects
• Response to the arboreal theme and creative reinterpretation of natural elements
• Community engagement potential
  
  *The Selection Committee reserves the right to reject any applications that do not meet eligibility requirements and/or are incomplete, or in instances where the artwork does not appear suitable for long-term outdoor display.

Timeline

RFP Issued: 7/1/2025
Proposals Due: 1/1/2026

• Artists must be 18 years of age or older to apply
• Individual artists or artist teams with professional experience in public art
• Artists working in durable, outdoor-appropriate media
• Submitting artists must own all rights to the work submitted and have full authority to grant a license for public display
• Preference may be given to artists with a connection to Connecticut or the New England region

Eligible Artworks and Conditions
 

• The submitted artwork must be durable, weather-resistant, and designed to withstand the challenges of outdoor display in the New England climate, including snow, rain, wind, and extreme temperatures.

• Sculptures must be able to be bolted or permanently affixed to 4’ x 4’ concrete pad with 3/8” to ¼” anchor or expansion bolts.

• The artwork must fit within the designated size range of at most 6 to 10 feet high and 3 to 6 feet wide.

• Sculptures should be created with the intention of being installed outdoors and should be designed to withstand public interaction (e.g., touch, climbing, etc.).

• The artwork must be free of any prior claims, encumbrances, or rights from third parties and the artist must have full ownership of the work and all associated intellectual property.

• The artist must be available to assist with installation of the sculpture on-site.

• Artwork submitted in the application must be the same as the artwork delivered for installation in terms of size, color, edition, materials, and other specifications.

• The Selection Committee reserves the right to reject works that differ markedly from the work depicted in the digital images submitted as part of the application.

• Submitted artwork must be of professional quality and should be designed to require little to no maintenance once installed