Omaha Central Library’s New Call for Public Art
Applications Open June 29 - August 2, 2026
To celebrate the April 2027 first anniversary of Omaha Central Library, OPL is partnering with Amplify Arts and looking for applicants working at the intersection of art and technology to create a new permanent public artwork for Omaha Central Library that sparks public participation and interaction. If your creative practice connects ideas, information, and people through emerging media, creative coding, or other interactive technology, this may be the perfect opportunity for you.
This call is the first phase in a process that will result in the selection of one project. Thanks to the investment of generous donors, coordinated by Heritage Omaha, the selected project will be awarded a budget of $75,000 and a place in Omaha Central Library’s collection of public artwork. Applications are open from June 29 to August 2, 2026.
This artwork will celebrate Omaha Central Library’s role as a vital community hub and third place—a space beyond home and work where people gather, connect, and grow. The innovative, interactive commissioned work should honor the library as a site of shared experience: where lives intersect, ideas unfold, and community is continually created and deeply nourished through connection.
Applications are now closed. Keep scrolling for more about the selection process timeline and check our Events page often for more open calls!
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For this RFQ, applications will be reviewed in a three-phase review process:
Amplify Arts staff will review to ensure applicants meet eligibility requirements and have submitted a complete application.
All eligible applications will be reviewed and scored by an external panel of arts professionals residing outside the Omaha area. Top-ranking applications will advance.
A panel composed of project team members will review top-ranking applications and invite up to eight artists to submit proposals.
Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
The Artist Statement is clear and compelling.
The Work Sample illustrates a history of past work that inspires confidence in the artist’s capacity to realize the work.
Applicants who demonstrate previous experience incorporating technology and interactivity into their work will be favored.
Overall application.
Click to view the full evaluation rubric in English and in Spanish.
Below, you’ll find a timeline for the application review process:
June 29: Applications open
July 9, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm: Application Office Hours
July 13, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Application Office Hours
August 2, 11:59 pm: Application closes
August 3 - September 14: RFQ Application review
Week of September 14: Application status updates delivered; proposal invitations extended
September 21 - October 18: RFP open to finalists
Week of September 28: Library walk-throughs with finalists
Week of October 5: RFP Application office hours
October 18, 11:59 pm: RFP Application deadline
October 19 - October 26: RFP review
Week of November 2: Interviews for RFP finalists
Week of November 9: Proposal selection made, proposal status updates delivered
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One artist, artist collective, or collaborative group will be selected and awarded a $75,000 project budget to realize their work.
The selected applicant can anticipate beginning work in November 2026. Below is a production timeline with general dates and milestones:
November 2026: Concept Refinement and Contracting Phase
The selected applicant will participate in artist onboarding with Amplify Arts and research, develop, and refine their proposed work in collaboration with Omaha Central Library’s project team. Agreements between the selected applicant, Amplify Arts, and project partners will be completed. A public announcement will be made and circulated.
December 2026 - February 2026: Artwork Fabrication Phase
The selected applicant will focus on the production and fabrication of their work during this phase, including regular check-ins and/or site visits from members of Amplify Arts and the project team. They will also work with the Omaha Central Library project team and Amplify Arts staff to plan and consider the logistics of installing their work.
March 2027: Installation Phase
The selected applicant will work with Omaha Central Library’s project team and Amplify Arts staff to install their completed work.
April 2027: Artwork Unveiling
The selected applicant will attend an art unveiling event.
About Omaha Public Library’s Central Library
Omaha Public Library’s Central Library is a hub for creativity, collaboration, education, innovation, and workforce development, and an investment in literacy, digital equity, and community. The building is designed with accessibility in mind and includes spaces for people of all ages and abilities to learn, gather, and create. The $158 million project was facilitated by Heritage Omaha, which raised $138 million from donors to fund the project, with the rest coming from the City of Omaha.
About Amplify Arts
Amplify Arts provides resources for artists, organizers, and cultural workers to incubate liberatory ideas that move our community forward. Amplify Arts’ Public Art Program seeks to create sustainable, paid opportunities for artists working in the built environment while enhancing civic life through meaningful public art partnerships.
Amplify serves as a center pivot between project stakeholders and artists. Amplify organizes application and selection processes, but does not evaluate applications or make selections. Post-selection, Amplify works closely with artists and project stakeholders to coordinate communication, regular check-ins, installation, and project close-out.