Wolf River Cultural Greenway: Rotating Sculpture Exhibition

Overview:

The Germantown Public Art Program invites artists living in the United States to submit three-dimensional outdoor sculptures for the inaugural Wolf River Cultural Greenway 2027–2029 Sculpture Exhibition. Seven sculptures will be selected for the exhibition, and selected artists will be awarded $4,000.00 each.
Background:

The Wolf River Cultural Greenway initiative is a multi-phase effort to integrate public art throughout Germantown’s linear trail system, expanding the Greenway’s role beyond recreation to serve as a focal point for cultural connection, a deeper appreciation of the natural world, and community wellness. Spanning over 10 miles of paved linear trails along the river corridor, the Germantown Greenway connects seamlessly west toward Memphis via Shelby Farms Park and the broader 26-mile Wolf River Greenway corridor, while extending east toward Collierville.

This Call for Artists represents Phase 2 of the Wolf River Cultural Greenway initiative. Following Phase 1 (Riverwood Tunnel Murals), Phase 2 launches the "Sculpture on the Greenway" rotating exhibition. A defining feature of the Greenway is its direct physical proximity to the Germantown Medical District, presenting a unique opportunity to position the Greenway as an intersection of Art, Nature, and Health to foster mental well-being and inspire exploration.
Artwork Requirements and Limitations:

• Dimensions & Weight: Minimum height of 60 inches (excluding base), maximum height of 12 feet, and maximum weight of 2,500 lbs. Artwork must be of a scale large enough to be clearly visible from a distance of 50 feet.

• Mounting: Artwork must be a structurally sound, standalone object that can be secured to a concrete pad (sized 4’x4’x4", 6’x4’x4", or 6’x6’x4") with anchor bolts or similar devices.

• Durability: Artwork must withstand Mid-South outdoor weather conditions, including hot summers, cold winters, high humidity, heavy rain, wind, and snow/ice for two consecutive years.Public Safety: Sculptures will be installed in largely unsupervised natural areas; works must be family-friendly, non-climbable, and suitable for close pedestrian interaction with low exposure to injury.

• Availability: Artwork must be available for the full two-year duration of the exhibition.

• Theme: Artwork must be original. While not required, themes engaging art, nature, and wellness are strongly encouraged.

Installation: Selected artists are responsible for the transportation of their artwork to and from the site and are encouraged to be on site to oversee installation and de-installation. Installation costs regarding site preparation will NOT be the responsibility of the artist. The City of Germantown will provide staff and heavy equipment through the Public Works Department to assist the artist with installation and removal.

Insurance: The City will maintain fine arts property coverage for scheduled artwork up to an agreed, documented value not to exceed $10,000 per piece while installed on site, subject to policy terms, conditions, and exclusions. Coverage is contingent upon the artist submitting acceptable proof of value (e.g., a professional third-party appraisal, proof of past comparable sales, or an itemized materials/labor invoice) prior to installation.  

Selected artists must maintain Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance (minimum $1,000,000 per occurrence) naming the City of Germantown as an Additional Insured.

The Artist bears full financial responsibility for the artwork during transit, loading, unloading, and installation, as well as any repairs needed due to fabrication defects or reasonable wear and tear while on public display.

Sales: Sales of artwork are encouraged, and any inquiries will be forwarded directly to the artist or designated agent. No commission will be charged. Sculptures must remain on site until the end of the exhibition. At the conclusion of the exhibition, the City of Germantown or private entities may negotiate to purchase artworks for permanent collections.

Compensation: Each selected artist will receive a $4,000 stipend for the two-year loan of their artwork, paid in two installments: $2,000 upon successful installation and completion of paperwork, and $2,000 upon de-installation and retrieval of the sculpture.

Timeline:

• Release Call for Artists: September 4, 2026

• Application Deadline: October 4, 2026 

• Artist Notification: Week of October 26, 2026

• Sculpture Installation: March / April 2027 (exact date TBD)

• Sculpture De-installation: March / April 2029

Eligibility: This exhibition is open to both emerging and experienced professional artists who are a minimum of 18 years old and specialize in outdoor sculpture. To support manageable transportation and logistics, eligibility is restricted to artists residing within the regional drive corridor (approximately 8 hours from the Memphis Metro area) in the following states: AL, AR, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MO, MS, OH, OK, TN, and TX.

Submission Limit:

• Up to three (3) sculptures total per artist.

• Application Rule: Each individual submission is valid for ONE sculpture only. Do not combine multiple sculptures into a single application.

IMPORTANT: This application represents ONE artwork, with 3 to 6 images of the work. If you wish to enter additional artworks, checkout and submit the first application, then return to "Apply to Calls" and choose APPLY AGAIN TO THIS CALL. Repeat the process for up to three applications.

Submission Guidelines & Requirements: Applicants must submit all materials through the CaFE™ artist application system by midnight CST on October 4, 2026.

Submissions must include:

• Resume and brief artist statement

• 3 to 6 high-quality images per sculpture showing the work from multiple angles to convey its 360-degree design.

• Completed artwork details in all required application fields.

• Family-friendly subject matter (fragile, hazardous, or inappropriate works will not be accepted).

Evaluation / Selection Process: Applications will be reviewed by the Public Art Manager for completeness and then forwarded to the Artist Selection Committee. This committee consists of representatives from the City of Germantown’s Public Art Commission, Parks and Recreation Department, Public Works Department,  and Maggie Jensen (Sculpture Professor, University of Memphis). The committee will select seven sculptures for the inaugural exhibition. No individual artist will have more than one piece selected.

Selection Criteria:

• Artistic excellence as demonstrated in submitted images.

• Site appropriateness, durability, and safety.

• Creativity and originality.
  

Questions:

Cat Peña (Public Art & Design Manager)

Phone: 901.751.7664

Email: cpena@germantown-tn.gov