photo by: City of Lawrence

The nine pieces in the 2025 Unmistakable Public Art Exhibition

The City of Lawrence and the Cultural Arts Commission are asking local and regional artists to apply to participate in the 2026 temporary Unmistakable Public Art Exhibition.

Next year’s program is adapted for area artists to create new public artwork for World Cup 2026. Lawrence is expected to see a big increase in visitors during the 2026 FIFA World Cup because six matches will be held between June 16 and July 11 in Kansas City, including a quarterfinal contest, and Lawrence is in the running to be selected as a base camp for one of the 48 national teams that would play in the World Cup.

The online application for the public art exhibition is open now and closes at 11 p.m. on Nov. 17. Applicants must be 18 or older and reside within 50 miles of Lawrence. All entries must be original concept proposals. The application can be found on the city’s website.

The Unmistakable Public Art Exhibition was formerly known as the Outdoor Downtown Sculpture Exhibition, which began in 1988.