Artists have only days left to submit designs for Coral Springs America 250 public art display celebrating U.S. history and patriotism
Coral Springs, Florida – Artists in Coral Springs are running out of time to take part in two public art opportunities that will help shape how the city celebrates a major national milestone. With deadlines approaching within days, officials are urging creatives to submit their work for projects tied to the upcoming America 250, marking 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The initiative is part of a broader effort by the city to combine public art with civic identity, turning everyday spaces into visual reminders of history and community pride. The first and larger of the two calls closes on April 24 at 11:59 p.m., and focuses on sculptures inspired by U.S. patriotism and American history.
Selected artists will have their work displayed across key public locations in Coral Springs for one year. These include Mullins Park, Coral Springs City Hall, and Veterans Park. One of the sculptures will go even further, becoming part of the city’s permanent collection and installed at Veterans Park.
The project carries a total budget of $120,000, with individual artists receiving a $5,000 honorarium for participation. The city plans to select up to four sculptures for the temporary display, and artists are allowed to submit up to four applications each. One piece may be purchased permanently for up to $100,000, giving it a lasting place in the city’s public landscape.
City officials say the goal is not just decoration, but storytelling through art—connecting residents and visitors with themes that reflect the nation’s history and the spirit of the anniversary celebration.
A second opportunity is also open, though it focuses on a different kind of canvas. This call invites artists to design visuals for traffic signal boxes, transforming utility infrastructure into public art installations. The deadline for this program is April 30 at 11:59 p.m.
The selected designs will be digitally printed and wrapped around signal boxes at three busy intersections: University Drive and Wiles Road, Sample Road and Riverside Drive, and Sample Road and Rock Island Road. Each chosen artist will receive $200 per design, with up to four submissions allowed.
While smaller in scale, the traffic box project has a practical purpose as well. City officials note that converting these surfaces into artwork helps reduce vandalism while adding color and creativity to otherwise overlooked parts of the urban environment.
Both initiatives are funded through public art fees collected from private developers, a system that channels development activity back into community enhancement projects. Oversight is provided by the Coral Springs Public Art Committee, which manages selection and implementation for both programs.
With just days remaining before the first deadline, the city is hoping to attract a wide range of submissions—from established artists to emerging voices. The opportunity offers not only financial compensation, but also the chance to leave a visible mark on a city preparing to take part in one of the most significant national anniversaries in modern history.
As the countdown continues, officials say the response will help shape how Coral Springs visually represents both its local identity and its connection to a much larger American story.
