Art in Public Buildings Project | D.O.T. Ocala

Description

CALL FOR ART PROPOSALS – Public Art Opportunity
Project # DOT450125-1-52-01 | Ocala Department of Transportation (DOT) Facility
Art in State Buildings Project: Administered by Marion Cultural Alliance (MCA)

About the Art in State Building Program
The Art in State Buildings Program (ASB) was established in 1979 by the Florida Legislature. ASB requires that each appropriation for the original construction of a state building which provides public access
shall include an amount of up to 0.5% of the total appropriation for the construction of the building, not to exceed $100,000, to be used for acquiring artwork for permanent display in public areas in the interior or on the grounds or the exterior of the building. (255.043, Florida Statutes)
The artworks within state buildings that have participated in the ASB Program create a permanent art collection of great variety that is owned by the citizens of Florida.
Application Deadline: Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST
Art Installation Location: OCALA OPERATIONS CENTER / 627 NW 30TH
AVE OCALA FL 34475
Project Overview: Marion Cultural Alliance (MCA), in partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation Ocala Facility, invites Florida professional artists or artist teams to submit qualifications and concept proposals for a public art installation at the new Department of Transportation facility in Ocala, Florida.
This project is part of Florida’s Art in State Buildings Program, which allocates a percentage of construction costs for public art that enhances civic spaces and reflects the identity of the community. 
Selected artworks will become a permanent part of the facility and serve as a welcoming visual statement celebrating Ocala’s culture, heritage, and innovation.
Eligibility: Open to Florida professional artists or artist teams (18+).
Budget / Artist Honorarium:
Artist Honorarium Opportunity 1: LOBBY ART INSTALLATION (interior) $7,500 (all-inclusive, including design, fabrication, transportation, installation, insurance, and applicable taxes)Artist Honorarium Opportunity 2: HORSE FEVER SCULPTURE (exterior) $7,500 (all-inclusive, including design, initial transportation from warehouse to studio, installation, insurance, and applicable taxes) - Exception: Marion Cultural Alliance will provide the life size form. The horse form will need to be picked up by the artist at a local warehouse designated by MCA
Upon completion of horse painting:
If the artist is located in Marion County, MCA will pick up the horse for coating. If the artist is located out of county, he/she is responsible for transporting the horse to the Ocala location for coating as designated by MCA. Once coated, MCA will transport the horse to the Ocala DOT location for installation.
Artwork Opportunities: Artists may submit proposals for one or both opportunities:

Opportunity 1: Interior Lobby Installation
Installation Area Details: (see page Opportunity 1 for rendering)

Dimensions: Within the yellow highlighted area (L-16’10 ½ W 4’10”)
Wall/Ceiling Type: Manufacturer Wilsonart Model #17016, Cumberland Walnut
Weight Limitations: All brackets will need to be approved by committee prior to installing.

Possible Formats Include:

Wall-mounted installation
Suspended or ceiling-mounted work
Mixed media or dimensional work
Sculptural or metal elements (no glass)

Design Considerations:

Durable, long-lasting materials
Safe for public interaction
Compatible with architectural environment
Minimal maintenance requirements

Opportunity 2: Exterior Horse Sculpture
A life-size horse sculpture will be provided to the selected artist and installed outside the facility as a signature landmark.
Horse Sculpture Details:

Material: Fiberglass
Dimensions: Thoroughbred, Head Up-6’3” x 19” W x 7’7” L
Finish Requirements: The horse form will need to be picked up by the artist at a local warehouse designated by MCA. If the artist from within Marion County, MCA will pick up the finished horse from the artist’s studio and transport the horse for coating. If the selected artist is from outside Marion County, he/she will need to arrange transportation to have the horse coated. MCA will pay for the coating.

Design Considerations:

Weather-resistant materials and coatings
Structural integrity and long-term durability
Low maintenance requirements
Safe for public proximity and interaction
No embellishments” (e.g., no added physical elements, surface treatment only)

Artistic Themes
Artists are encouraged to explore concepts that reflect:

Ocala/Marion County as the Horse Capital of the World
Movement and transportation
Historical evolution of transportation in Marion County
Community identity
Innovation and infrastructure
Florida’s natural environment

Interpretations may be abstract, contemporary, or representational. Artwork should create a memorable and welcoming presence for visitors and employees.

Artist Eligibility & Qualifications
This opportunity is open to:

Professional visual artists or artist teams within Florida
Sculptors and installation artists within Florida

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with public art or large-scale work
Strong portfolio of completed projects
Ability to collaborate with architects, engineers, and project managers
Experience working with durable indoor/outdoor materials

Selection Process: A Public Art Selection Panel will review all submissions in accordance with Florida’s Government in the Sunshine Law.
The panel may:

Select one artist per opportunity
Select multiple finalists for further development
Recommend direct selection based on submitted proposals

Evaluation Criteria
Submissions will be evaluated based on:

Artistic excellence and originality
Relevance to project themes
Creativity and innovation
Feasibility and constructability
Safety and durability
Maintenance requirementsExperience with similar projects

Project Timeline: 

Call to Artists Released: April 3, 2026
Artist Information Session: April 14, 2026, at 12:00-1 pm at the Florida DOT|Ocala Facility 627 NW 30th Avenue Salt Springs Conference Room Live streamed
Online ART Call Submission Deadline: May 13, 2026, by 11:59 PM
Panel Review: May 15 – May 29, 2026
Artist Selection: June 1, 2026
Fabrication Period: June 2 – August 7, 2026
Horse Coating (Op 2): August 10-13, 2026
Installation: TBD after August 13, 2026 (late August/early September determined by Ocala FDOT)

Insurance Requirements:
General Liability Insurance
Artist selected for Opportunity 1 and Opportunity 2 shall maintain Commercial General Liability insurance with limits of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate for bodily injury, personal injury, and property damage. Coverage must be in effect for the duration of the event.
Upon request, Artist agrees to provide a Certificate of Insurance naming Florida Department of Transportation and Marion Cultural Alliance, its officers, employees, and agents as additional insureds.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Artist shall maintain Workers’ Compensation insurance as required by applicable state law, including Employer’s Liability coverage.
If Artist has no employees and is exempt under state law, Artist must provide a written statement of exemption and assumes full responsibility for any injury or claim arising from their participation.
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR - The Artist is an independent contractor and not an employee of the Organizer.
TAX DOCUMENTATION (W-9 & 1099)

The Artist agrees to provide a completed and signed Form W-9 to the Organizer prior to receiving payment.
The Organizer (or MCA, if administering payments) will issue a Form 1099-NEC to the Artist for all payments meeting applicable IRS reporting thresholds.
The Artist acknowledges responsibility for all federal, state, and local taxes associated with compensation received under this Agreement.

Ownership & Rights
Selected artwork will become a part of Florida’s permanent art collection. DOT and MCA reserve the right to reproduce images of the artwork for promotional and educational purposes.
About Marion Cultural Alliance: Marion Cultural Alliance (MCA) designated as the Local Arts Agency for Marion County serves as a catalyst for cultural development. MCA supports artists, arts organizations, and public art initiatives that enhance the quality of life and cultural identity of the community.
Questions?
For additional information, please contact:
Jaye Baillie, MCA Executive Director
Jaye.Baillie@mcaocala.org
352-369-1500

Having trouble navigating ArtCall? Click here for a quick step-by-step tutorial guided by MCA! Or watch the video tutorial below.