Digging For Opportunities: How to Find Public Art Calls
- Jessica Stanley
- Apr 27
- 5 min read
Updated: May 5
Have you ever found yourself admiring public art in your community and wondered how the artist discovered that opportunity or who sponsored the project to bring it to life? If you’re eager to make your mark in the public art scene, a crucial first step is knowing where to find calls for projects. Numerous websites curate these opportunities, connecting you with government agencies and arts organizations, making it easy to browse a wide range of calls in one place.Â
Typically, these opportunities are shared as Requests for Proposals (RFPs) or Requests for Qualifications (RFQs). I have gathered a list of a few of my favorite websites and methods for finding public art calls, and I invite you to explore these platforms and hopefully discover public art opportunities that align with your vision and creative ambitions.Â
The following sites are organized by which ones I find the most useful in searching for calls. Your experience will likely be different from mine based on your art practice and location.Â
CALL SITES:
Call for Entry
Call for Entry or CAFE, is one of the most commonly used sites for finding and sharing art opportunities in the United States. It hosts multiple types of calls, not just public art, so you will need to curate your experience with the provided search filters so that you do not waste too much of your time wading through things you aren’t looking for.Â
CAFE lets artists set up a free account in which you can upload a portfolio of your work consisting of pictures and videos. Having your submission materials already formatted and uploaded makes the application process less daunting. It may take some time for your initial set up and the occasional update, but it is worth it.Â
I really enjoy how CAFE posts make it pretty clear who is eligible for a call and what type of call something is. It saves time for everyone involved. Additionally, they have a great newsletter that goes out frequently sharing new or soon to expire opportunities. Getting that email in my inbox with all of the latest postings is incredibly helpful and often prevents me from missing a deadline.Â
PublicArtist
This site is similar to CAFE, in many ways. You can upload your materials for ease of application, a newsletter goes out with new opportunities, and your account is free. One main difference is that when you sign up, you can specify what type of calls you are looking for and your location (which helps determine eligibility), and PublicArtist.org will either only show you calls that are a fit for you, and highlight your best fit opportunities. I have noticed that while the calls are screened on my home page, the newsletter will send me a bit of everything, whether I am eligible for the call or not, so keep that in mind. Is the screening a pro or a con? Sometimes I wonder if I am missing out on seeing opportunities I might be interested in.Â
While having an account is free, they do have an upgraded version that allows you some extra organizational benefits for your portfolio. So far, for what I do as a muralist, I have not needed those services, but you may decide it is right for you, so have a look and make that determination based on your needs.Â
CODA Worx
CODA Worx hosts a variety of calls for artists and for cities/organizations to apply to. While the calls aren’t quite as plentiful as some other sites, they often carry high budgets. CODA Worx is definitely tuned in to the public art industry. They occasionally publish their own resources and they host a public art summit each year. The site does have a paid subscription available with extra bells and whistles, but you can create a basic account for free to view opportunities.Â
While this site is not my first go-to for public art opportunities, I like to check in on the site from time to time because I do believe it is a good resource. Sign up for their emails and follow them on social media to stay informed on industry trends and happenings.Â
Americans for the ArtsÂ
While there are not a ton of opportunities listed on this site, you may still find what you are looking for here. The Americans for the Arts website in general is a fantastic resource for all things art, art business, and public art. Sometimes the sweet spot on being successful with public art calls is finding the ones that maybe not a lot of people are taking note of. If fewer people know about the call, your chances go up.Â
Less visited public art posting sites can be like finding a secret fishing hole. Do what you will with that information. This website is a very simple listing, and you most likely won’t apply through the site, but will be directed to a different location to apply. This page is just for sharing the call.Â
GOVERNMENT SITES:
It is very likely that your state and local government have some sort of public art and culture branch. These government agencies will often post their calls out on some of the websites I have previously mentioned, but others will choose to simply share it on their own sites and social media channels.Â
I am based in Florida, so I will share a few Florida examples here. Do some searching online and you may uncover sites that are applicable to you. You are unlikely to want to check back in with these organizations frequently, so save yourself sometime and sign up for any newsletters available and follow along on social media where you can so you don’t miss out on an opportunity.Â
State of Florida Division of Arts and CultureÂ
City of Orlando Public Art
Orange County Public Art
City of Sanford Public Art
City of Tampa Public Art
Your Local Connection:
Another great — and sometimes overlooked — resource for public art opportunities is your local Main Street organizations or business districts. While not every city has one, many communities (especially around Florida where I’m based) do. These organizations occasionally receive grant funding for public art projects. The budgets are usually on the smaller side, but the projects can be an excellent way to break into public art. In our first couple of years, we completed four electrical box murals, one painted metal panel, and two murals around Orlando through partnerships with local Main Street and district organizations like Ivanhoe Village, SODO District, and Audubon Park.
It’s also worth building relationships with local galleries. We’ve picked up several mural jobs over the years simply because we were connected with galleries. Think about it — if a business owner needed an artist and didn’t know where to start, they’d probably call a local gallery. Staying connected helps put you in the right place when opportunities come up. A good first step is to get on the email lists for local galleries and Main Street organizations, and follow their social media accounts. Many of them post open calls, event opportunities, or community projects on their platforms, and being among the first to see these announcements can give you a real advantage.
Finding the right public art opportunities takes some digging, but it’s absolutely worth the effort. In addition to the websites and resources mentioned, I encourage you to spend a little time searching online, connecting with local organizations, and uncovering the unique opportunities that fit your work and goals. The more you look, the more you’ll find — and sometimes the best projects aren’t listed in the obvious places.