Sculpture Contest

APPLY HERE (copy+paste): http://bit.ly/MansfieldPublicArt

Music Alley is a one-day outdoor festival in Historic Downtown Mansfield featuring live music and dance performances, food vendors, interactive arts activities, and visual art exhibitions. As part of the festival, selected artists will present large-scale sculptural works installed throughout the festival footprint, creating an immersive and walkable art experience for attendees. Artists are invited to submit proposals for freestanding, outdoor-ready sculptures for this festival. All artistic mediums and styles are welcome.

Artwork may be:

• Pre-existing (if thematically appropriate), or
• Newly fabricated specifically for this event

THEME

Artists must select one of the following themes for their submission:

Americana

Interpretations may include, but are not limited to:

• American cultural history, nostalgia, or folklore
• Texas cultural history, nostalgia, or folklore
• Contemporary or diverse perspectives on American or Texas identity
• Music, movement, community, road culture, or regional symbolism 

Cinco de Mayo

Interpretations may include, but are not limited to:

• Celebration, cultural heritage, and community traditions
• Mexican history, symbolism, or contemporary cultural expression
• Bold color, pattern, and festive visual language 

Note: Cinco de Mayo submissions should be culturally respectful and thoughtfully executed. Artists are encouraged to reference authentic traditions, research, or collaboration where appropriate.
 
ELIGIBILITY & SUBMISSIONS

• Open to individual artists and artist teams
• Artists may submit up to three (3) sculptures
• Each sculpture requires a separate application
   

All sculptures must:

• Be structurally sound and able to stand securely on their own
• Be suitable for outdoor display
• Pose no safety hazards to the public

APPLY HERE (copy+paste): http://bit.ly/MansfieldPublicArt

IMPORTANT DATES
Entry Deadline: March 2, 2026
Acceptance Notifications: March 9, 2026
Install Date: May 1, 2026
Event Date: May 2, 2026

LOAD-IN & TAKEDOWN

Artwork Load-In: May 1, 2026  
Artists will be assigned a specific site within the festival area. Site details and artist-specific load-in times will be provided with the acceptance email. Advance load-in may be available upon request and is dependent on site location.

Artwork Takedown: May 2, 2026

Beginning at 10:00 PM. All artwork must be removed from the artist’s site following the conclusion of the festival unless prior approval is granted. Select sculptures may be considered for extended display upon request, pending site availability.

APPLY HERE (copy+paste): http://bit.ly/MansfieldPublicArt

QUESTIONS & INQUIRIES?

Christopher Bryant, Public Art Manager
City of Mansfield Cultural Arts Department
christopher.bryant@mansfieldtexas.gov

Submitting an application constitutes an acceptance of the following waiver and agreement to adhere to all festival rules: I understand and agree that all artwork will be displayed outdoors during the Music Alley Festival. Event organizers, their staff, and volunteers will not be responsible for damage to art before, during, or after the festival. Winners will be chosen by an anonymous judges' panel of artists and trained professionals. All decisions are final. Music Alley organizers have the right to exclude any work deemed inappropriate for the festival for whatever reason they see fit. Winners will need to submit an invoice and a City of Mansfield vendor packet to receive their prize payment. Payments may take up to 30 days after submission of all required paperwork. Submission to the contest is a waiver of rights for festival organizers to use images of your work in future event-related promotions.