Orange County

The City of Orlando Invites Central Florida’s Artists and Creators

Chalk Festival (VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

ORLANDO, Fla. — In partnership with a diverse roster of Central Florida nonprofits and arts groups, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and the City of Orlando announced they are seeking up to 20 local artists to participate in the “Art Pollination: Building Food Justice through Creativity” public art project.

WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS

The “Art Pollination: Building Food Justice through Creativity” project was awarded a $1 million grant through the Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge, which brings together mayors, residents, and artists to develop innovative, temporary public art projects that address important civic issues in their communities.

Read: Florida Lottery: New Scratch-Off games this December

Earlier this fall, the City announced that nationally renowned artist Juan William Chávez would be the project’s lead artist. Selected local artists will have the opportunity to partner with Chávez (and a second juried artist, to be announced in the next few weeks).

Contestants will are invited to create new work for display and participation along the Orlando Urban Trail, at community centers, at food event sites, in project wayfinding, on Urban Billboards, and in exhibitions at the Downtown Arts District’s CityArts venue and at the City Hall Terrace Gallery in Downtown Orlando.

Read: Warm and sunny Tuesday before next cold front arrives in Central Florida

For years, we’ve witnessed how the work of our local artists brings people together, strengthens our community, and helps create the unique quality of life we enjoy throughout our City and our entire region,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.

“That’s why we prioritized having local artists serve as a focal point of our application for the Bloomberg Public Art Challenge. We are excited to see how Orlando’s diverse and talented community of artists will use their talents to help shine a light on this important issue and spark conversations and collaborations that help create and inspire change and innovative solutions around food insecurity.”

Read: Fishermen find 25 kilos of cocaine off Brevard County coast

“Art Pollination” is a collaborative public art project in partnership with various local nonprofits, including Black Bee Honey, 4Roots, Hebni Nutrition Consultants, Ideas for Us-Fleet Farming, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Orange County (UF/IFAS).

How to apply:

Beginning today through Monday, January 13, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., interested artists can apply online at orlando.gov/artpollination. Selected artists will be announced at the end of January 2025.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.


Angel Green, WFTV.com

Angel Green is a Content Creator for WFTV.com.

0