Opportunity Summary
The Scovill Sculpture Park in Decatur, Illinois, is seeking submissions for its 2026 Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition. The exhibition will feature five sculptures installed in highly visible outdoor locations between Scovill Zoo and the Children’s Museum of Illinois within the Scovill Sculpture Park.
General Information
The Scovill Sculpture Park in Decatur, Illinois, is seeking submissions for its 2026 Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition. The exhibition will feature five sculptures installed in highly visible outdoor locations between Scovill Zoo and the Children’s Museum of Illinois within the Scovill Sculpture Park.
Scovill Sculpture Park provides local, regional, national, and international artists with opportunities to exhibit and sell their work while enhancing the cultural environment of Decatur and creating opportunities for public engagement and education through art.
The exhibition is expected to attract significant public exposure. Scovill Zoo welcomes approximately 100,000 visitors annually, while the Children’s Museum of Illinois receives approximately 75,000 visitors each year. Selected artworks will become part of a prominent outdoor sculpture experience accessible to residents and visitors alike.
Scovill Sculpture Park is an initiative of the Decatur Parks Foundation in partnership with the Decatur Park District, Decatur Area Arts Council, and the Children’s Museum of Illinois.
Selected sculptures will be on loan to the Decatur Parks Foundation and Decatur Park District for a two-year exhibition period. Ownership of the artwork remains with the artist. A one-year extension may be negotiated at the discretion of the Decatur Parks Foundation and the artist.
Artists selected for the exhibition will receive a stipend of $2,000 per sculpture. Payment will be made as follows:
- $1,500 upon delivery and installation of the artwork.
- $500 upon completion of the exhibition and artist pickup of the sculpture.
- An additional $500 will be paid if the sculpture remains on display for an approved third year extension.
All sculptures must be suitable for long-term outdoor display, capable of withstanding Midwest weather conditions, and require no maintenance beyond occasional washing.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit the following materials:
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae.
- Images of up to three sculptures proposed for consideration.
- Up to three images per sculpture submission.
- A brief description for each sculpture submitted (maximum 500 words per sculpture), including:
- Title
- Materials
- Dimensions
- Year completed
- Installation requirements
- Any special equipment needed for installation
- Contact information for the artist.
Max 5 applications per artist will be accepted.
A non-refundable application fee of $20 is required at the time of submission.
Eligibility Criteria
This opportunity is open to local, regional, national, and international artists.
To be eligible, submitted artwork must:
- Be original work created by the applying artist.
- Be structurally sound and safe for public display.
- Be suitable for outdoor exhibition for a minimum two-year period.
- Be fabricated from durable materials capable of withstanding year-round Midwest weather conditions.
- Require little to no maintenance beyond occasional cleaning.
- Be available for installation between July 16 and July 30, 2026.
- Be available to remain on display through July 2028.
- Be delivered and removed by the artist according to the exhibition schedule.
- Appear in excellent condition and suitable for exhibition.
There are no restrictions regarding the age of the artwork; however, priority may be given to newer sculptures during the selection process.
Artists must provide the exact sculpture selected by the jury. Substitutions will not be permitted without prior written approval from the Decatur Parks Foundation.
Submissions will be evaluated based on:
- Artistic excellence and originality
- Creativity and visual impact
- Appropriateness for a public setting
- Public safety considerations
- Durability and suitability for outdoor exhibition
- Feasibility of installation and maintenance requirements
Important Dates
Jul. 2, 2026: Application Deadline
https://opportunities.wearecreativewest.org/opportunity/17727/CAFE