Public Art Commission seeks artist for light sculpture

Fort Wayne, Ind. – The Fort Wayne Public Art Commission is inviting light designers and artists from the region and around the world to submit qualifications to create a light sculpture that will be installed in downtown Fort Wayne.

The sculpture will replace the existing artwork in the 77 Steps Alleyway located on the south side of West Berry Street between Harrison and Calhoun streets in downtown Fort Wayne. Installed in 2020, the original 77 Steps sculpture was intended to be a five-year installation. 

The new work will continue to build on successful efforts to transform several downtown alleys into welcoming places, such as the Porch Off Calhoun, in alignment with the 2019 Downtown Fort Wayne Public Realm Action Plan.

Proposals will be evaluated by a Public Art Commission 77 Steps Alleyway Selection Committee made up of members from the Fort Wayne Public Art Commission, Downtown Fort Wayne’s Art This Way Program, the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, the City of Fort Wayne, Visit Fort Wayne, Arts United and other arts professionals. The selection committee will make a recommendation to the Public Art Commission, which will make the final decision.

The selected artist will have a budget of $100,000 to create their sculpture with installation planned for spring/summer 2026. The project is funded by the Fort Wayne Public Art Commission.

The deadline to apply is August 31, 2025. More information and a link to the application can be found at: https://www.fwcommunitydevelopment.org/index.php/public-art/program-documents. 

The original light sculpture, designed by local architecture firm Kelty Tappy Design, Inc., was a collaborative effort supported by the Knight Foundation, Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne Community Development, Fort Wayne Public Art Commission, Downtown Fort Wayne’s Art This Way Program and Design Collaborative. Fabrication and installation assistance was provided by Northeast Indiana Building Trades, SMART Local 20, Dirig Sheet Metal, PreCon Projects, I.B.E.W. Local 305, Hi-Tech Electric Company, TriTech Mfg., Inc., and FWCS Career Academy Construction Trades. 

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The City of Fort Wayne’s Community Development Division works to enhance economic opportunity, build strong neighborhoods and ensure a dynamic framework for growth and development. The Division’s departments include Neighborhood Code Compliance, Neighborhoods, Office of Housing and Neighborhood Services, Redevelopment/Economic Development, and Planning and Policy.