Black History Month Call for Artists

The City of Orlando is seeking local visual artists to display their artwork to celebrate Black History Month in the Terrace Gallery at Orlando City Hall from January 31 – March 30, 2025. Art is an intrinsic part of Black heritage and culture, and the city is offering an opportunity for artists to showcase the diverse richness of African American history and heritage through the visual arts.

The 2025 Black History Month theme, “African Americans and Labor”, focuses on the various and profound ways that work and working of all kinds – free and unfree, skilled, and unskilled, professional, vocational and voluntary – intersect with the collective experiences of Black people.

Theme Overview

Throughout history, Black labor has not only built physical landscapes and advanced industry, but it has also fostered communities, fueled social justice movements, and driven the creative, scientific, and intellectual growth that underpins Black culture. From the agricultural expertise of enslaved Africans to the activism of organized labor movements, and from the resilience of sharecroppers to the leadership of Black women and men in union work, Black labor has been a powerful force in the public and private sectors. This year’s exhibition honors these contributions and invites a wide-ranging artistic exploration of labor’s transformative impact on Black life.

Submission Guidelines

The City of Orlando welcomes artists to consider a variety of interpretations of the theme, including but not limited to:

• Representations of Black labor in history and today, across industries such as agriculture, factory work, domestic work, military, public service, and creative fields.
• Artistic reflections on the role of community work, activism, and voluntary service in Black neighborhoods and organizations.
• Visual storytelling that honors key figures, events, and movements in Black labor history, including the establishment of unions or professional organizations and ongoing struggles for equality in the workplace.

We are looking for original 2D or 3D artworks that highlight the diversity of Black labor, captures its impact, or reinterprets historical narratives for contemporary audiences.

Eligibility

This call is open to all visual artists whose work is inspired by the themes of Black labor, culture, and history. Artists of all backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to apply.

Application Requirements

Please submit the following to the Office of Public Art at flynn.dobbs@orlando.gov by December 19, 2024:

1. Artist’s full name and preferred name for labels.
2. Artist bio or resume.
3. Photos of up to five works in JPEG format (artwork should relate to the theme of African Americans and labor).
4. Descriptions of each work, including:
   • Title
   • Year created
   • Dimensions
   • Medium

Selected artists will be notified by December 23, 2024. Artworks must be delivered to Orlando City Hall Terrace Gallery by January 28, 2025. All pieces should be ready to hang or display, with no damage to frames, canvas or sculptures.

Important Dates

• Submission’s received: November 21- December 19, 2024
• Submission deadline: December 19, 2024
• Notification of Selection: December 23, 2024
• Artwork Delivery: January 28, 2025
• Exhibition Dates: January 31 – March 30, 2025
• Opening Ceremony: First week of February 2025 (date to be announced)