The City of Farmington Hills Cultural Arts Division is pleased to announce a Call for Artists for the next installment of its Public Art Program. This two-year exhibit gives regional artists an opportunity to showcase their work in high-traffic public spaces viewed by thousands of visitors annually at two locations: The Hawk, the City’s recreation and arts venue, and Farmington Hills City Hall. Submissions are now being accepted for the 2025–2027 exhibition cycle.

 

Artists are invited to apply to one or both venues through a single online application. Artwork of all media is welcome, including painting, drawing, photography, mixed media, indoor and outdoor sculpture, fiber, ceramics, glass, digital art, and more. Applications can be submitted at tinyurl.com/FHPublicArt25. Artists are not required to live in Farmington Hills.

 

“Whether you’re a painter or a potter or anywhere in between, you know art is powerful. It inspires creativity, stimulates productive dialogues, evokes emotion and builds bridges,” said Rachel Timlin, cultural arts supervisor for the City of Farmington Hills Special Services Department. “The Public Art Program is unique because it gives established and emerging artists a chance to showcase the power of their work and contribute to the creative fabric of the Farmington Hills community.” 

 

To be considered for display at The Hawk, artists must apply by June 12. Applications will be accepted through Sept. 15 for display at Farmington Hills City Hall. Following the application period, submissions will be juried and selected artists will be notified of their admission to the Public Art Program. Artists who are accepted for display at The Hawk will be notified in June and July and art pieces will need to be delivered to The Hawk in August. These artists will be recognized at the Farmington Area Art Awards on Oct. 4.

 

Artists selected for the Public Art Program at Farmington Hills City Hall will be notified in the fall and will be asked to deliver their art to City Hall in December. The official opening of the Public Art Program at City Hall will be celebrated at a reception on Jan. 16, 2026. If accepted to either location, the artists’ work will be on loan to the City for the two-year Program. During this time, most of the art will be available for sale to the public with 100% of any sale going directly to the artist. If a sale is finalized, the piece will remain on display until the conclusion of the Public Art Program, at which time the purchaser can pick up it up.

 

Initiated in 2010, the Farmington Hills Public Art Program was designed to humanize civic buildings, cultivate creativity and connect artists with the community. The 8th cycle of the Public Art Program is currently on display and features hundreds of works of art across both venues. The artwork at City Hall helps to create a welcoming environment for the public and gives local artists the chance to present their talent to the community. The Hawk welcomes thousands of guests each week for arts, fitness and recreational programs, who have an opportunity to explore the art throughout the venue.

 

The City of Farmington Hills has the largest dedicated municipal Cultural Arts Division in the State of Michigan. The Division coordinates arts programming for the community, including classes, events, and activities in visual and performing arts, and year-round performances at The Hawk Theatre, to expose diverse populations to the arts. The Cultural Arts Division also coordinates ART on the GRAND, an annual juried fine art fair, that the City of Farmington Hills hosts in collaboration with the Farmington Downtown Development Authority. The City’s Cultural Arts Division also works to empower makers of all ages and abilities in The Hawk Makerspace, an immersive facility that allows makers to access a variety of state-of-the art tools and equipment, as well as a creative community with a wealth of resources and knowledge, to grow a new hobby or skill, from sewing to woodworking and more.

 

For additional information about the City of Farmington Hills Public Art Program, contact Karla Aren, artist liaison, at karlaaren@fhgov.com or call 248-699-6709.

 

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