Creative Touch: Call for Artists
Florida Children’s Museum invites artists to submit proposals for Creative Touch, a public art initiative that challenges creators to reimagine how children engage with art—by touching it.
In a world where “do not touch” is the norm, we’re flipping the script. We are seeking bold, tactile, interactive works of art that are meant to be explored through hands-on play. Art that welcomes fingerprints, withstands curiosity, and rewards touch.
The selected artist will receive a fee of $5,000 to fabricate and install their work for public display at Florida Children’s Museum as part of the Museum’s permanent collection.
About the Creative Touch Initiative
Children learn through their senses. Creative Touch celebrates art that invites physical interaction, ignites imagination, and encourages connection. Whether it’s a sculpture that responds to pressure, a wall piece with movable parts, or a textural mosaic made for little fingers, artwork should be made to touch, feel, and even hear or smell if you like.
We welcome pieces that:
- Encourage multi-sensory exploration
- Engage young visitors with a focus on ages 3-10
- Are safe and durable for public interaction
- Use unexpected textures, materials, or movement
- Support social, emotional, or imaginative learning through tactile experience
Audience & Setting
The final artwork will be installed at Florida Children’s Museum, where it will be experienced by thousands of children and caregivers annually. The audience includes infants through age 12, with a focus on early childhood. The space is vibrant, inclusive, and joyful—your piece should reflect the same.
Installations may be floor-standing or wall-mounted. Dimensions should be suitable for high-traffic public spaces and ADA-accessible whenever possible.
Artist Award
- $5,000 artist commission (includes all materials, fabrication, and installation)
- Public display of the artwork inside Florida Children’s Museum
- Artist spotlight in museum marketing and media outreach
Submission Requirements
To be considered, artists must submit:
- Project Proposal (1–2 pages) describing the concept, materials, interactivity, and how it will engage children through touch
- Sketches or Renderings of the proposed piece
- Artist Statement with a focus on your creative philosophy and past interactive work
- Resume or CV
- Up to 3 Work Samples (images, links, or short videos)
Collaborations and artist teams are welcome.
Timeline
- Deadline to Submit: December 8, 2025
- Selected Artist Notified: DELAYED UNTIL LATE JANUARY
- Installation Target Date: March 9, 2026
How to Apply
Fill out the online form OR Email your complete proposal to: Rosa Quiles, rquiles@explorefcm.org
Subject Line: Creative Touch Submission – [Your Name]
Questions? Contact Rosa at rquiles@explorefcm.org
Let kids touch your art. Apply today to help shape an unforgettable experience at Florida Children’s Museum.