2026-27 Chicago Sculpture Exhibit Artist Application

About the Open Call

It's the 25th year of Chicago Sculpture Exhibit! We're continuing our mission to encourage public encounters with art while going about daily lives. Professional 3-D artists are invited to create and install sculptures at identified public sites. A $2,000 honorarium will be awarded for each selected work – half paid at contract signing and balance at installation. Artwork will remain on display for one calendar year. At least 40 sculptures will be included in the 2025-26 Exhibition. Work Must Meet the Following Criteria: be made of the highest quality materials that hold up to sometimes harsh weather conditions including heat, rain and wind; be of the highest quality construction and appropriate in an urban setting; be original works of art created by the artist or fabricated under their direct supervision; demonstrate structural soundness, safety and stability for an unsupervised general audience; be guaranteed against defects and deterioration; fit into a dense, urban setting. Large-scale sculptures are requested. Timeline (approximate): December 12, 2025: Deadline for submission; January 2026: Jury meets; February 2026: Notification of selection: all artists will be notified by email; April-May 2026: Remove existing artworks; May 2026: Installation of artworks; May 2027: Exhibition closes. Eligibility: Chicago Sculpture Exhibit is open to all experienced professional sculptors. Artists may submit no more than (2) two works for consideration. Installation Sites: Each artwork will be assigned to an installation site based on size, shape and appropriateness. Sites are scattered throughout the Chicago area. Artists are responsible for the delivery, installation and removal of the artwork. CSE will provide limited assistance at the site during the installation and removal. CSE also provides insurance at the site, less a $10,000 deductible. Artwork not ready for installation at scheduled time will not be accepted. Review Process: The Jury is made up of a committee representing community interests and invited art professionals. Chicago Sculpture Exhibit is a private, not-for-profit organization that partners with the City of Chicago and the Chicago Park District. Partners also include private businesses, cultural institutions, neighborhood organizations, individuals and chambers of commerce.

What is Offered

A $2,000 honorarium will be awarded for each selected work. Artwork will remain on display for one calendar year. CSE also provides insurance at the site, less a $10,000 deductible.

Requirements

Applicants must be experienced professional sculptors. Artwork must be made of the highest quality materials that hold up to harsh weather conditions, be of the highest quality construction, original, demonstrate structural soundness, safety and stability for an unsupervised general audience, be guaranteed against defects and deterioration, and fit into a dense, urban setting. Large-scale sculptures are requested. Artists may submit no more than two works. Artwork must be ready for installation at the scheduled time.

How to Apply

To be considered, artists must submit a completed online entry form, a CV/exhibition history, a short biography, a one-page artist statement, and digital images that best represent your work. Images should be clearly identified by artist name and title of work, uploaded within the application as JPEG format and no larger than 2MB. PDFs are not acceptable for viewing by jury. Applicants will also need to provide their first name, last name, email, and phone number, and indicate the type of base provided.