Public Art Commissions / Verified 15 September 2026
The Indy Arts Council seeks 5 artists from central Indiana to create original works celebrating the 2027 Indianapolis 500 with the theme "This is May." Selected artists must be 18+, meet residency requirements for Marion and surrounding counties, and commit to a strict timeline. Displays run April–June 2027 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway locations and across the region. Deadline: October 18, 2026.
Every fact, with its receipt
What the organizer actually says
Deadline. October 18, 2026
“Sunday, October 18, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EST”✓ Checked on the organizer’s site
Cost to apply. Free to apply
“Free”On file — not confirmed on a public page
What you get.
“$3,000 total per artist ($2,500 for original artwork commission, $500 for licensing stipend); artist covers all materials, supplies, labor, equipment, and shipping from this fee.”✓ Checked on the organizer’s site
How long. Commission period October 2026–June 2027; artworks displayed April–June 2027.
Who can apply. 18+ years old; professional artist or artist team; reside in or have strong ties to central Indiana (Marion, Hendricks, Boone, Hamilton, Morgan, Johnson, Shelby, Madison, Hancock counties); willing to meet contractual obligations and strict
How they choose.
“IMS and Indy Arts Council representatives review portfolio examples of past work (not new designs); artists selected by October 30, 2026.”✓ Checked on the organizer’s site
Members only
Whether this is worth your entry fee, your shipping, and the weeks it takes to put an application together depends on work only you have…
The facts are free
We read your work once, free, and email you the analysis.
One free read per artist. It doesn’t expire.