2026-2027 Downtown Sculpture Gallery - City of Auburn, WA

The City of Auburn invites sculptors to submit applications for Auburn’s Downtown Sculpture Gallery. The works selected for this public art exhibition will be on loan to the City for a period of twelve months (12) and can be available for sale during that time.

Each selected artist will receive a $1000 stipend. At the conclusion of the exhibition a sculpture from the exhibition may be purchased for inclusion in the City of Auburn’s permanent collection, with a maximum purchase budget of $10,000.

Application deadline: March 19, 2026 at 10:59 PM Pacific Time

Call to Artists
City of Auburn 2026-27 Downtown Sculpture Gallery

The City of Auburn invites sculptors to submit applications for Auburn’s Downtown Sculpture Gallery. The works selected for this public art exhibition will be on loan to the City for a period of twelve months (12) and can be available for sale during that time.

Each selected artist will receive a $1,000 stipend. At the conclusion of the exhibition a sculpture from the exhibition may be purchased for inclusion in the City of Auburn’s permanent collection. The purchase budget is $10,000. Artist are required to be living or working in the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California and Montana) and deliver their artwork in person to Auburn, Washington.

Application deadline: March 19, 2026 at 10:59 PM Pacific Time
 

PROJECT DETAILS

City of Auburn’s Downtown Sculpture Gallery showcases 11+ sculptures throughout its historic downtown and around the City. Public art is an integral part of the exciting renewal efforts on Main Street and underscores the critical role that artists and public art play in the revitalization of Auburn’s urban core.   

Eligibility
Sculptural work by artists or artist teams living or working in the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California and Montana). 

Duration of Installation
The selected sculptures will be on view for 12 months from September 2026 – September 2027.   

Artwork Specifications
Artwork(s) submitted for consideration MUST BE:

• Available during the loan period of September 14, 2026 - September 17, 2027. Please do not submit artworks that are not available for selection for the opportunity.
• No more than 300 pounds.
• Three-dimensional sculptures suitable for outdoor display, made of durable materials, and able to withstand the elements as well as interaction with pedestrians and the general public (sculpture placement locations are along a parade route, so works must be able to withstand pushing, touching, hanging, etc.).

PLEASE SUBMIT ONE IMAGE PER ARTWORK BEING CONSIDERED FOR SELECTION (any detail images need to be combined into one JPEG please). Existing sculptures as well as artwork proposals are accepted. Proposals can be submitted as a sketch/illustration combined into one JPEG with examples of other work that demonstrates artistry, proficiency and finish quality. Applicants may submit up to ten sculptures for consideration.

Artwork Location
The artwork will be located throughout Auburn’s downtown and locations assigned by City staff. Artwork can be either welded onto or bolted onto a steel plate that is attached to a concrete pedestal. The concrete pedestals cannot be drilled into for the installation of the artwork (with the exception of the flush concrete pads), steel plates fitting the existing bolt pattern can be utilized, or artists can provide their own steel plate to fit upon the surface of the pedestal.

Stipend
The artist will be awarded a $1,000 artwork loan contract. The artist is responsible for transportation and installation of the artwork (installation with some city assistance). The artwork is insured by the City for the time the sculpture is on display, but not insured for any damage incurred during installation and/or deinstallation. The City of Auburn will provide signage to identify the artwork and will be featured on the City of Auburn’s website and included in a promotional brochure.

Purchases
At the conclusion of the exhibition, the Auburn Arts Commission has the option to select a sculpture to be purchased for inclusion in the City of Auburn’s permanent collection. This will be determined in  Summer of the exhibition year, with a maximum purchase budget of $10,000. “People’s Choice” voting will be available to all artists online throughout the duration of the exhibition, with the winning sculptor to receive a $500 “People’s Choice Award”. No commission will be taken from artwork sold to private sales, but the City reserves the first right of refusal.

Design Parameters

Selected artworks must be able to be safely and securely installed on one of the below pedestals (raised sidewalk, raised building-adjacent, raised planter bed, or larger flush in-ground):

• 5 of the 13 pedestals are placed directly on the sidewalk pedestals and must conform to the following guidelines for pedestrian safety:
• From base of sculpture to 7’ in height the artwork must be no wider than 3’ 8”.  This is to ensure adequate pedestrian passage.
• 7’ to 12’ in height the sculpture can have a 5’ max width
• Two of the 13 pedestals are placed within a raised/narrow planter box that is approximately three feet in height and three feet wide. This location is best suited for smaller scale work that will be eye level.
• One of the 13 pedestals is adjacent to the sidewalk and can be approx. 12” wider (5’ maximum width) than the dimensions listed above.
• One of the 13 pedestals is within a raised planter box that is 20’ length x 5’ width and 18” pedestal is placed within the box. This artwork must fit within the planter area and be installed using the square pedestal base.
• One of the 13 is a flush to the ground concrete pad that is 4’ x 4’ and is adjacent to the sidewalk. The sculpture needs to fit within the 4’ x 4’ area and not extend past the base.
• Two of the 13 are flush to the ground concrete pads that are in a pedestrian plaza, approximately 4' x 4' and 5' x 5', and must be safe for pedestrian traffic to walk around, touch, and withstand public engagement.

Artist Responsibility

• Artist is responsible for transporting artwork to and from the installation site.
• Artist must deliver and install artwork at assigned date and time between September 14-17, 2026 during a very tightly scheduled deinstallation and installation week, in coordination with the City of Auburn's staff. Failure to be available at this time may result in the artist forfeiting their contract, and an alternate artist to be selected for the opportunity.
• Artist is responsible for logistics of installation, including movement from the vehicle to the pedestal, and any assembly required (will have assistance from City of Auburn staff).
• Any special equipment or tools required are the artist’s responsibility to provide.
• Artist will provide detailed and specific installation instructions and work alongside a City staff to secure the artwork into place.
• Artist will provide any special installation materials, including a pedestal if the artwork needs to be elevated above the 18” pedestal base for smaller artwork.
• Artist must be able to demonstrate the selected artwork will be sound, safe, suitable for exhibition in the public realm, and meet all Artwork Specifications outlined.
• Artist will be responsible for repairs needed that are due to build quality of the artwork duration of the exhibition.
• Artist is responsible for complying with terms set forth in this RFP and will be required to sign a loan agreement with the City of Auburn.

Artist selection process and criteria
A selection panel including representatives from the Arts Commission, City of Auburn, and downtown business owners will review the submitted proposals.  The panel will use the following criteria in the selection process:

• Submission of all required application materials by deadline
• Artistic excellence including technical competency
• Suitability for the site including aesthetic content and public safety
• Durability, able to withstand weather and interaction in a highly public area, and maintenance free for the duration of the exhibition.
• Demonstrate structural soundness, safety and stability for an unsupervised general audience
• Ability to attach to existing pedestals and fit within the size parameters

Application Guidelines & Requirements
All applications must include the following:

• Artist’s statement (PDF)
• Current resume or CV (PDF)
• Digital images of the sculptures being submitted for consideration:
  • Up to TEN sculptures can be submitted for consideration*
  • ***Please only apply with images of artworks that you wish to be considered to display as a part of the program; do not submit examples of past work that is not available or eligible for selection for the program***
  • ONE digital image per sculpture being considered (if you want to submit detail shots, please combine them into ONE JPEG)
  • .jpg files only in format required by CaFE.
     
• Artwork details (as outlined in CaFE upload process including: title, media, dimensions, date, etc.)
• (Optional) Drawing/Photo/Description of the base of each artwork and how it will attach to the pedestals.

Timeline
March 19, 2026  -  Application Deadline
April 2026 -  Review applications and notify artists
September 14-17, 2026 -  Installation of Sculptures
September 2027 - Deinstallation of Sculptures

Applications must be received by March 19, 2026 at 10:59 PM Pacific Time

Inquiries can be directed to Allison Hyde,
Arts Program Supervisor: ahyde@auburnwa.gov, 253-804-5043

Application Guidelines & Requirements
All applications must include the following:

• Artist’s statement (PDF)
• Current resume or CV (PDF)
• Digital images of the sculptures being submitted for consideration:
  • Up to TEN sculptures can be submitted for consideration
  • ***Please only apply with images of artworks that you wish to be considered to display as a part of the program; do not submit examples of past work that is not available or eligible for selection for the program***
  • Digital images per sculpture: 1 (if you want to submit detail shots, please combine them into ONE JPEG)
  • .jpg files only in format required by CaFE.
     
• Artwork details (as outlined in CaFE upload process including: title, media, dimensions, date, etc.)
• (Optional) Drawing/Photo/Description of the base of each artwork and how it will attach to the pedestals.

Eligibility
Open to work by artists or artist teams living or working in the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California and Montana). Applicants may submit up to ten sculptures for consideration.