Barber Park Recreation Center—RFQ

The Orange County Public Art Review Board is seeking applications from artists 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. Art should incorporate vibrant colors and themes connecting to this lively community space, with the option to incorporate different textures for sensory engagement and kinetic components.

Deadline: July 24, 2026, at 11:59 EDT

Commission Budget: $29,100

Design Stipend: $300

Barber Park Recreation Center—RFQ

3701 Gatlin Avenue, Orlando, FL 32812

Deadline: July 24, 2026, at 11:59 EDT

Commission Budget: $29,100

Design Stipend: $300

Construction: Early 2027 to Early 2028

Installation: Summer to Fall 2027
 

Project Description

The Orange County Public Art Review Board and Orange County Parks and Recreation are seeking applications from individual sculpture 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. Please refer to the site plan link below for additional details.
 

Site (Site Plan)

• 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. Link to Sample Public Art Agreement.
• Selected artists must acquire all required insurance documents. Link to Insurance Requirements.

Timeline:

• Submission Deadline: July 24, 2026, at 11:59 EDT
• Submissions Review Meeting: August 5, 2026
• Artist Notification: By or before August 6, 2026
• Virtual Site Visit: August 11, 2026, at 1 pm EDT
• Proposals Due: October 1, 2026
• Proposal Review Meeting: October 7, 2026, at 11 AM
• Notification of Acceptance: By or before October 9, 2026
• Installation: Summer to Fall 2027
   

Contact

For further information contact Dawn R. Knight, Public Art Coordinator, Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs. Dawn.Knight@ocfl.net, 407-836-5540.

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The mission of Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs:  "To elevate Central Florida’s arts and culture to that befitting a world-class community."

About Orange County Government: Orange County Government strives to serve its residents and guests with integrity, honesty, fairness and professionalism. Located in Central Florida, Orange County includes 13 municipalities and is home to world-famous theme parks, one of the nation’s largest convention centers and a thriving life science research park. Seven elected members make up the Board of County Commissioners, including the Mayor, who is elected countywide. For more information, please visit www.OCFL.net or go to Orange County Government’s social media channels.

• 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. Link to Sample Public Art Agreement.
• Selected artists must acquire all required insurance documents. Link to Insurance Requirements.

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.