Call to Artists—Sculpture at SteelStacks 2026

Total Project Budget: $7,500

Budget Description:
One sculpture will be selected for display from October 2026 to October 2027. The selected artist will be awarded $7,500 as a fee for the annual loan of their artwork as part of the annual Steel Weekend event. The $7,500 stipend includes artist remuneration, materials, fabrication, and installation.

ArtsQuest and the Steel Weekend Arts Sub-Committee invite artists to submit work for the 4th annual Sculpture at SteelStacks exhibition, an outdoor display featured at the entrance to the Visitor Center at SteelStacks in Bethlehem, PA, on the former site of the Bethlehem Steel, where the work will be visible to over a million people annually.

While artistic quality is very important, works will be reviewed for durability, safety, and appropriateness to the site. Artwork must be structurally sound and able to withstand an outdoor environment in a largely unsupervised area that is not protected from weather or curious viewers.

Sculpture at SteelStacks is open to experienced professional sculptors as well as students and emerging artists who specialize in the design, construction, and installation of outdoor sculptures. One sculpture will be selected for display from October 2026 to October 2027. The artist will receive $7,500 as a fee for the annual loan of their artwork, which includes any costs for installation and deinstallation.

Members of the Steel Weekend Arts Sub-Committee will make the selection. The Sub-Committee includes representatives from ArtsQuest, The National Museum of Industrial History, The SouthSide Arts District, the Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission, Lafayette College, and local artists.

ArtsQuest is using Formstack for this public art selection process. The full application can be found at https://fest.formstack.com/forms/sculpture_at_steelstacks_2026_submission. 

There is no charge for artists to apply. There is a 6-foot minimum height preference. There is no limit for the maximum height.  Each artist may submit 1-5 sculpture applications. Each sculpture must be submitted as a separate application.  A minimum of 1 image is required, and the maximum is 5. Images of finished works should be submitted.  

To be considered, submit the following information through the online form: 

• Artist Bio 

• Artist Statement 

• Current Resume 

• A statement of interest, no more than 500 words, that outlines how you might approach this project if selected and what materials you might use. 

• A maximum of five images of completed works or projects with accompanying annotated image list giving image number, title of the work, medium, approximate dimensions, year of completion, project location, budget, commissioning agency and a brief description. 

• 1-5 images of proposed sculpture for Visitor Center at SteelStacks location. 

• A description of 1-3 community outreach and/or educational programs related to your sculpture. How can ArtsQuest facilitate engagement with your work for students and visitors? No more than 500 words. 

• 3 professional references 

A virtual information session will be held via Microsoft Teams on Wednesday, June 24th at 4:00 p.m. EST for artists who want to learn more about the project from Review Committee members.

DEADLINE: July 10, 2026. Applications, resumes, images, and other materials must be submitted by midnight through the online application.

Sculpture will be installed on concrete pad that measures 4’ x 8’ and 3” high in front of the Bethlehem Visitor Center at SteelStacks presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health.

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Contact Lisa Harms, VP of Visual Arts and Education, ArtsQuest at lharms@artsquest.org.