Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs is seeking applications from individual artists or artist teams to develop artwork for the new Orange County Animal Services facility.
A selection panel consisting of the project manager, stakeholders and art professionals will review artists’ qualifications. Several artists will be selected to provide proposals and will be paid a stipend of $1,500 each for their proposal. Final artist(s) selection will take place after review of the proposals. The Arts & Cultural Affairs Public Art Coordinator serves as the non-voting Chair of the Selection panel.
Orange County said this modern, family-oriented facility aims to foster a welcoming environment dedicated to the humane treatment, respect, and protection of all animals. It serves as a safe and compassionate space where displaced animals can find their lifelong homes.
The new Orange County Animal Services facility will feature a two-story design. The first floor will include dog kennels and designated indoor and outdoor areas for pet interactions. The second floor will be dedicated to feline care and housing. Art should be visually engaging, lively, positive, playful, and suitable for children of all ages, as well as their pets.
$145,500 was approved for artwork. The selected artist(s) or team(s) will be awarded a comprehensive contract (or contracts). The artist will be responsible for artwork design, fabrication, materials, installation, insurance, travel, public presentations, meetings with Orange County staff as necessary, identification plaque, and all related incidental expenses.
The Public Artist Selection Panel and Orange County reserve the right to reject any or all applications, proposals, applicants, or projects, and to modify or terminate the application process or the selection process for any reason and without prior notice.
Timeline:
- Applications Due: January 13, 2026, at 11:59pm
- Finalists Selection: Monday, January 26, 2026, 3-4pm
- Artist Notification: By or before Tuesday, January 27, 2026
- Virtual Site Visit: Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 3-4pm
- Virtual Community Meeting: Monday, February 9, 2026, at 2:30-4pm
- Proposals Due: Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at noon
- Proposal Review: Monday, March 23, 2026, at 2:30-4pm
- Notification of Acceptance: By or before Tuesday, March 24, 2026
- Installation: January 2027
