The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Public Arts and Culture Committee:
The Watertown Public Arts and Culture Committee (PACC) is excited to announce the 2026-28 season of the Community Sculpture Walk. The Community Sculpture Walk exhibits outdoor sculptures to enhance the use of open space in Watertown, encourage public interaction with contemporary art, and create an annual exhibition opportunity for artists at all career stages working in a variety of mediums.
The Community Sculpture Walk follows the Community Path from the Thaxter Street parking lot behind the Watertown Free Public Library to Howard Street. There are eight sites along the path for sculptures and additional sites may be added as the path is extended. Each year, up to four sculptures will be selected to be on loan for two years, so that each year four new sculptures will be on view.
Description
Selected artists will be awarded $3,000 for the two-year loan of their sculpture. Artists are responsible for transporting their work to and from the Community Sculpture Walk and the installation and deinstallation of their artwork. Artwork will be insured by the City of Watertown for the duration of the loan. Artists are encouraged to have their own General Liability Insurance and must sign a waiver for the installation and deinstallation of their artwork. The city provides limited assistance for installation and deinstallation.
Sculptures must be suitable for long-term, outdoor exposure and fabricated and installed in a viewer-safe manner. Sculptures should also be installed in a way that is sensitive to the natural environment. Sculptures that need significant maintenance during the exhibition or that differ significantly from submitted images may be excluded. The Community Path along which the sculptures are situated is heavily trafficked by residents and visitors and serves as a main thoroughfare for students.
The city will maintain the sculpture sites. The artist is responsible for maintaining their sculpture, in the event that maintenance is required during the two-year loan period. In the event that the sculpture is so damaged that it cannot remain in the Community Sculpture Walk, the artist will be responsible for removing the sculpture.
Sculptures should not exceed ten feet in height. Sculpture sites have a 6x6ft concrete pad available. If the footprint is larger, the sculpture will be placed on the ground. Artwork should not be intended to be climbed upon or require much physical interaction. If you are not sure your sculpture meets the requirements, please contact Liz Helfer at ehelfer@watertown-ma.gov.
Site photos (StoryMaps): https://arcg.is/KrfWr0
Site photos (PDF): https://www.watertown-ma.gov/asset/a978f141-abcb-4952-ba72-49f5e06a6b69
See the current Community Sculpture Walk (StoryMaps): https://arcg.is/09XP5a0
Eligibility
All artists working in three-dimensional mediums are welcome to apply. All artwork must be original and complete at the time of submission (proposals for new work will not be considered). Artists may work or reside anywhere in the world, but selected artists must be available (either in person or virtually) for the Opening Reception and Artist Talk on Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 11 a.m.-Noon (EST). Applications from City of Watertown Employees and those working for the City in any capacity cannot be considered. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Politicized works will not be considered. Sculpture submissions that are perceived to be unsafe or untenable for long term installation will not be selected.
Timeline
Monday, August 4, 2025: Application opens
Sunday, November 2, 2025, 11:59 p.m.: Application closes
November 3-23, 2025: Application review
Monday, November 24, 2025: Artist selection
November 25-December 5: Artist notification
April 27 – May 8, 2026: Sculpture installation
May 16, 2026, 11 a.m.-Noon: Opening reception with artist talks
April 17 – 28, 2028: Sculpture deinstallation
How to Apply
You may submit up to three sculptures for consideration. Up to three images per submission. If submitting multiple sculptures for consideration, only one may be selected.
Apply online through OpenGov: https://watertownma.viewpointcloud.com/categories/1085
Application checklist:
- Up to three images per submission
- Image List: Title, Dimensions, Materials, Year Completed
- Artist Statement, should relate to the submitted artwork (1-2 paragraphs)
- Artist Bio, about you (1-2 paragraphs)
- Contact Information: Name, email, phone number, address
- Optional: Website and social media links
Artist Selection
Artists and their sculptures will be selected by a jury that includes the Public Arts & Culture Committee (PACC) and Watertown’s Public Arts & Culture Planner. Sculptures will be selected based on a review of images, image list, and the clarity of their associated artist statements. In the first round of consideration, submitted sculptures will be rated for safety. “Safe” sculptures will then be given a rating based on the criteria below. Top rated sculptures will be discussed by the PACC who will make a final selection of up to four sculptures, with input from the Public Arts & Culture Planner.
Criteria:
- The sculpture is safe for everyone using the Community Path and the surrounding environment.
- The sculpture was built to withstand outdoor display for two or more years.
- The sculpture is engaging and/or compelling.
- The sculpture contributes to a diverse and robust sculpture walk overall.
Contact + More Information
If you need clarification about any part of the Community Sculpture Walk application, please contact Public Arts & Culture Planner, Liz Helfer via email at ehelfer@watertown-ma.gov.
Watch the Information Session recording (YouTube):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OryLlg6ITM