Call Detail
MARYVALE GRAND CANAL CROSSING PUBLIC ART PROJECT
https://www.phoenix.gov/arts

Entry Deadline: 12/5/22
Application Closed
Work Sample Requirements
Images | Minimum:Min. 6, Maximum:Max. 10
Total Samples | Minimum:Min. 6, Maximum:Max. 10
Call Type: Public Art
Eligibility: National
State: Arizona
Budget: $600,000.

The Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture requests qualifications from professional artists to work with an engineering design team, City departments, community groups and stakeholders to design, fabricate and install integrated public art and other enhancements along the Grand Canal corridor between 47th and 75th Avenues in Maryvale. The selected artist will be expected to work with the community and city to create enhancements that bolster the visual identity of the area and enliven the pedestrian experience. This is an opportunity for artists specializing in three-dimensional artwork and collaborative design teams. The engineering team will be selected through a separate RFP process by the Phoenix Street Transportation Department. Salt River Project (SRP) operates the canal system and is collaborating with the City of Phoenix on this exciting new project.

The Grand Canal area between 47th and 75th Avenues can accommodate pedestrian and bicycle use, so an improved canalscape project will be a welcome recreation or commuting alternative to navigating nearby roads. Improvements will be made along the north bank of the canal. SRP uses the south bank for operations and maintenance.

The project will incorporate public art, landscaping and neighborhood access points to the path to provide better visibility, access and, ultimately, appreciation of the canal system in the Phoenix area. Grand Canalscape Phase 3 will link neighborhoods with multiple schools, transit routes, churches, employers and entertainment venues like American Family Fields of Phoenix (formerly Maryvale Baseball Park).

The overall project team will be expected to develop concepts and designs for improving the aesthetics, safety, function and visibility of the canal corridor at sites including the arterial crossing at 51st Avenue and on the north side of the canal between 55th and 57th Avenues. The selected artist will also be expected to participate in community presentations as part of the project. Artwork will be created through a collaboration with the project design team including the City Streets department, engineering consultants, landscape architects and the Office of Arts and Culture. The ideal artist should have experience creating three-dimensional outdoor artwork, designing multiple public art enhancements, and collaborating on design concepts with fabricators, community and design teams. Public art opportunities may include, but are not limited to, vertical shade features, seating, walkways, crossings, landmarks and landscape enhancements that improve canal visibility and community access and links to the canal trail. The selected artist will be expected to work with various city departments to integrate their concepts into the overall goals of these projects. 

Application Requirements

Submissions will be accepted only via CaFE at https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php.

Do not mail or email submissions or original artwork. Applicants are strongly encouraged to retain a complete copy of their submission for their records.

 You can find more information at www.phoenix.gov/arts/public-art-program/public-art-opportunities.   

Applicant Name: If applying as a team, please select a team lead as a point of contact for all communications. Artists applying as a member of a team are not eligible to also apply as an individual.

Applicant Pool: Applicants to this RFQ may be considered as an applicant pool for other similar City of Phoenix public art projects.

 Submission Materials:

1.      Statement of Intent (1000-character limit) - Think of this as a job application and your cover letter. Be as succinct as possible. Describe why you are interested in this opportunity and highlight any relevant experience.

2.      Resume or CV. (3-page limit per artist) Current professional resume or curriculum vitae (CV) including artist’s name, address, email, and phone number. Teams must submit one resume/CV per team member merged into one PDF, DOC, or DOCX file.

3.      Images – Six (6) to ten (10) digital images of previously created artwork in jpg format. Follow CaFE guidelines for size. Do not put text on your images. We recommend using only one photograph per image. Collaging more than one image together may reduce the panelists’ ability to see your work clearly. 

Eligibility Criteria

This project is open to any professional artist with the demonstrated ability to meet the criteria , regardless of residency, race, ethnicity, gender, age or experience. No previous public art experience is required to apply. Arizona artists are strongly encouraged to apply.

City of Phoenix employees and Phoenix Arts and Culture Commissioners and their immediate family members, and selection panelists and the panelists’ immediate families are excluded from participating in this project. Applications from Artists’ representatives, managers, or galleries will not be accepted.