Red Hat Amphitheater Public Art

Public Art at Red Hat Amphitheater

The City of Raleigh seeks to hire an artist or artist team to create new public art as part of the Red Hat Amphitheater relocation project. The selected artist/team will create an installation for the Performing Arts Parking Deck, an existing structure facing the new amphitheater location. Public art can be facade treatments with durable materials or a hybrid approach of murals and durable mixed media. Art will be located on the east-facing (McDowell Street) facade of the deck, with the potential to wrap the corner adjacent to Lenoir Street.

This project has a total budget up to $700,000. Final budget is dependent on approved design and cost estimates. The selected artist/team will be awarded a contract for a conceptual design proposal with an estimated budget. Upon acceptance of the concept proposal, the artist will receive a fabrication contract.

Deadline to apply: October 26, 2025, by 11:59 p.m.
Artist call will be posted soon.

About the Project

In 2010, Red Hat Amphitheater was built on land intended for the expansion of Raleigh Convention Center (RCC). With RCC now at capacity, an expansion project has been funded, and the amphitheater is being relocated one block south.

This relocation project provides an opportunity for new public artwork at the Performing Arts Parking Deck which can enhance downtown Raleigh’s artistic identity. Applicants are encouraged to think about how the art can elevate the aesthetics of a prominent city structure and reflect the cultural and creative character of downtown Raleigh. They should consider the location’s proximity to the Raleigh Convention Center and other public art, like Thomas Sayre's Shimmer Wall. The proposed artwork will be a bold, vibrant piece in a high traffic location and expand safety objectives for the Amphitheater. Artists will need to work around existing street trees in front of the deck facade and should consider focusing their efforts on the corner of McDowell and Lenoir.  

Learn more about the Red Hat Amphitheater relocation project

Timeline

The selected artist/team will create concept designs between January and April 2026 with the final design completed by May 2026. Artwork fabrication will occur between June 2026 and January 2027, depending on materials and fabrication method. Installation will occur between September 2026 and February 2027 (painted murals require less fabrication time, require warmer weather for installation, and may anticipate an installation time closer to September-October 2026). For metals or other materials that need additional fabrication time, installation would be anticipated by or before February 2027.