The City of Ocala Public Art Roster is a pre-qualified list of professional visual artists, that serves as a resource for public art selection or commissioned for art projects, both within the City and as a reference for external organizations and private entities. This roster may be used in combination with an open call, invitational or as the sole resource for identifying appropriate artists/teams for select projects based on an expedited selection process, need for a specific skillset, or a curated opportunity.
Applications are reviewed by the Ocala Municipal Arts Commission (OMAC), based on the artist’s experience and portfolio. Previously accepted artists MUST update their portfolio materials and apply for the five-year period. There is no application fee.
Eligibility requirements:
• Must be a professional visual artist or artist team consisting of up to five artists
• Team members may not apply as individual artists and work must be submitted as a group portfolio
• Reside in the United States, or have the legal ability to work in the United States
• Public artwork should be well suited for public spaces and general audiences
• Individual and artist teams must have experience creating public art in one of the following categories.
o Public Art – for artists/ teams that create large scale murals or standalone works for the public environment that are permanent or temporary in nature and whose works possess the appropriate durability for the art’s lifespan.
o Interactive/Media Arts – for artists/teams that focus on work that is either produced, modified, and/or transmitted by means of digital technologies, such as video/photography, monitor/LED screens, projections, virtual reality, augmented reality, sound installations, and locative media.
o Integrated/Infrastructure – for artist/teams with design practices that can be integrated into a wide range of projects including building design, works integrated into City buildings, Public Works projects, and works incorporated into landscape design.
o Creative Placemaking – for artists/teams that focus on engagement through personal interaction and/or ephemeral artwork which facilitates collaboration between artists, organizations, and communities. This category will serve as a resource for artist-driven community engagement that occurs during events, community building, or community planning events.
Applicants must be willing to work with a diverse group of project managers, stakeholders, and professional conservators during the design and approval process. Artists will be expected to travel to the project site and work within a fixed budget, work with committees and potentially other artists working on the same project. Selected individuals and teams will maintain a registration as a City of Ocala vendor and enter into a contract with the City.
Completing your application:
Artists should carefully consider and review their materials before submitting their application. If accepted to the Public Art Roster, the submitted portfolio will be reviewed during project call period by the project selection committee. Previously accepted Artists MUST apply again with updated portfolios.
Application Requirements:
- Current contact information
- 8-10 images of separate selections of artworks (.jpg, .jpeg, or .png at 72 dpi minimum, uncompressed)
- Artwork information for each image in .docx or .pdf format (title, date, dimensions, medium, project cost/budget, commissioning agency, project timeline, timespan/life of the work if limited, location of work, and description of artwork concept)
- Artist’s Statement .docx or .pdf format (one page including artist focus, preferred medium and project types, and capability to meet project timelines and budgets)
- Artist Resume .docx or .pdf format (two pages maximum)
- 2-3 professional references
