Public and Visual Arts
Art in Public Places Trust
The Gainesville Art in Public Places Trust (APPT) is a five-member committee appointed by the City Commission and established to administer the City’s 1% for Art allocation from eligible public construction and major renovation projects. The APPT oversees the acquisition of public art and submits recommendations to the City Commission regarding the implementation of the City’s Public Art Master Plan and the management of the Art in Public Places Trust Fund. The Trust also administers the Annual Art in Public Places Trust Award, recognizing individuals or organizations whose contributions have significantly advanced public art in Gainesville.
Leslie Tharpe, artist
Call to Artists
Request For Qualifications - Gainesville Police Department Property & Evidence Facility - Public Art Fencing
Deadline: Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026
The Gainesville Police Department (GPD) began planning renovations to its original 1952 facility at 721 NW Sixth St. in 2010. A new state-of-the-art facility, located adjacent to the existing administration building at the southwest corner of NW 6th Street and NW 8th Avenue, was completed in April 2014. To support evolving operational needs, GPD is expanding its Property and Evidence complex, with construction of the new addition anticipated to begin in the summer of 2026.
The City of Gainesville’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department, in collaboration with the Gainesville Art in Public Places Trust and the Gainesville Police Department, invites professional artists and artist teams to submit qualifications for a public art opportunity associated with the new GPD Property and Evidence Facility.
Through this Request for Qualifications (RFQ), the City seeks to pre-qualify three (3) or more artists or artist teams to develop site-specific proposals for the design and fabrication of a creatively designed fencing element. The artwork will be installed adjacent to the facility and will function as a visual and physical boundary between a parking area and the Rails-to-Trails multi-use pathway, a heavily used recreational and transportation corridor located along a historic railroad alignment.
Award Info:
This public art opportunity seeks to thoughtfully integrate artistic expression with functional infrastructure, enhance the pedestrian experience along the Rails-to-Trails corridor, and reflect the history, character, and values of the Gainesville community, while meeting all applicable safety and durability requirements. The total project budget is $80,000 (all-inclusive). This amount includes, but is not limited to, artist design fees, fabrication, permitting, project footing and base, transportation, installation of the artwork, and all other associated costs. The selected artist or design firm will be required to carry a $1 million general liability insurance policy, naming the City of Gainesville as additionally insured. Honoraria: Up to three (3) finalists will each receive an honorarium of $500 to develop and present a site-specific proposal, either in person or virtually.
Submission Details
352walls/Urban Art Initiative
352walls/The Gainesville Urban Art Initiative is part of an international urban art movement that will strengthen our cultural stature and will change the nature of our community with creativity.
Downtown Festival & Art Show
North Florida’s art scene swings into high gear for two days each November with the arrival of the highly acclaimed Downtown Festival & Art Show. The streets of historic downtown Gainesville are transformed into a celebration of art and creativity, complete with live music, performing arts and a spectacular array of food. The festival features 240 local and national artists displaying original oils and acrylics, vibrant watercolors, unique sculptures, dazzling jewelry, decorative ceramics and vivid photography. For music lovers enjoy continuous, live entertainment on three stages by local bands, solo musicians and dance companies. The festival weekend kicks off with a free Downtown Blues Concert on Friday featuring incredible blues performances.
For more information, please visit www.gainesvilledowntownartfest.net.
Thomas Center Galleries
Since opening in February 1979, the walls of the Historic Thomas Center have featured the very best work of our region’s creative community, as well as that of its budding young talent. Each season of exhibits features a broad mix of painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, mixed media and textile works by superb visual artists from Florida and beyond. In addition, four student exhibitions and one by Alachua County Public Schools staff showcase the district’s thriving art programs and talented workforce.
We invite you to join us and experience our tradition of excellence!
Please visit our galleries page for information on the latest exhibitions.
352arts.org
Here you can stay informed on Gainesville, Florida's and Alachua County's great cultural offerings. Visit our local events listed in our 352Arts Event Calendar. We also have an informative Directory with listings of our talented local artists and support organizations.