RFP - Temporary Public Art at Artscape 2027

Create Baltimore is seeking proposals from Maryland-based artists and artist teams for large-scale, temporary public art installations to be featured at Artscape 2027.

Throughout its history, Artscape has been known for bringing bold, unexpected, and interactive works of art to Baltimore. From towering kaleidoscopes and immersive mazes to larger-than-life installations, artists have transformed the festival grounds with projects that invite audiences to explore, interact, and experience the city in new ways. 

This year's theme, Inside Out, is about subverting expectations, embracing contradiction, revealing whats underneath, and highlighting the beauty in what makes us different. 

We want to see your weird, your whimsical, your otherworldly, your playful, your unexpected, and your wildest ideas. 

Project Overview

Artscape 2027 will take place Memorial Day Weekend, May 29-30, in downtown Baltimore near City Hall. Create Baltimore will fund selected proposals to produce large-scale temporary public art for inclusion in this year's festival.

We are especially interested in projects that:

• Tell a story reflecting the theme "Inside Out";
• Include an interactive element, and
• Utilize recycled or repurposed materials.

Projects can be sculptural, immersive, participatory, kinetic, playful, or experimental. 

Goals & Objectives

For generations, large-scale installations have been a defining feature of the Artscape experience, showcasing the imagination and ingenuity of some of our most innovative creatives. Our goal is to incorporate this crowd favorite into the festival in its new downtown footprint. 

Through this call, we hope to receive a wide range of original, ambitious, engaging, and imaginative proposals that reflect the creativity of Baltimore and Maryland’s arts community. Selected project(s) will receive funding to bring their ideas to life and become part of the Artscape 2027 experience.

Eligibility 

This request for proposals is open to all professional artists over the age of 18, legally living or working within the State of Maryland. Baltimore-based artists will be given preference in the instance of identical scoring.

Artists can apply individually or as an artist team. 

Current employees of Create Baltimore and the Mayor's Office of Arts, Culture, & Entertainment (MOACE) are not eligible to apply.

Requested Qualifications 

Artists must submit all of the items below. Applicants who fail to submit all of these items will not be considered. 

• Artist’s Statement (100 words or less)
• Resume/CV (PDF; 5 MB or less)
• Project Description
• Proposed Budget 
• Inspiration Images (optional)

Selection Process 

A panel of professional creatives and community stakeholders will join Create Baltimore and MOACE representatives in evaluating and choosing the selected artists.

In considering some applications, we may ask for additional information. The email address you provide is the email address we will use to contact you if more details are needed. 

All artists will receive a decision no later than February 26, 2027. 

Budget

Budgets of up to $15,000 will be considered. The final project budget must include an artist contingency of 10% and an artist fee of at least 15%. 

Timeline

• The application deadline is January 15, 2027, at 5:00 PM
• Artists will receive a decision by February 12, 2027. 
• Installation will begin the week of May 24, 2027. 
• Artscape is Memorial Day Weekend, May 29-30, 2027. Festival hours are 11AM–9PM.