Call Description

Call to Artists: High-Octane Art at the Speed of Culture 
Submission Deadline: August 15, 2025 
3 Installations to be Commission at $6,500 each ($19,500 Total Available)

About 

The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA), in partnership with Phoenix Raceway NASCAR race, invites artists, designers, and creatives to submit concepts for immersive, high-energy art installations that celebrate the bold spirit of NASCAR through the lens of local culture, creativity, and community. 

This unique exhibition will transform public spaces into a vibrant raceway of visual storytelling, fusing the thrill of motorsport with Southern Arizona’s artistic innovation and identity. Artists are encouraged to respond to themes such as speed, adrenaline, innovation, landscape, identity, and motion, using NASCAR as the creative spark for original, interactive works that inspire engagement, imagination, and social media-worthy moments. 

Goal

To create visually impactful and highly shareable public art installations featuring large-scale overhead elements, immersive murals, sculptural displays, and bold interactive moments designed to ignite fan interaction, photo sharing, and digital storytelling in celebration of the 2025 NASCAR Championship Weekend. 

Project Scope

Three artists will be commissioned to design and install original temporary art installations in three high-traffic public venues across Arizona: 

• Westgate Entertainment District (Glendale)
• Chandler Fashion Center (Chandler)
• Arrowhead Towne Center (Peoria)

Installations should incorporate key elements of the NASCAR Championship Weekend and Phoenix Raceway, while creatively blending in the artist’s unique perspective, regional influence, and community spirit. Works must include QR codes and calls to action that invite fans to engage, learn more, and share their experiences leading up to race weekend. 

Budget

Three installations will be commissioned at a total budget of $6,500 per installation. Artists or Artists Teams may receive one, two, or all three commissions. 

Install Dates

Installations will be on public display from September 29 through November 2, 2025, aligning with the excitement and momentum of the NASCAR Championship lead-up. 

Inspiration

• View a Collage of Sample and Inspiration Imagery Here.  
• NASCAR Championship Weekend
• Phoenix Raceway
• NASCAR Brand Identity

Below are some starter ideas.  Artists can propose any concepts they choose, and do not have to be any of those listed below. These are intended to inspire and provide direction for the final outcome of the installations.   

• Wrapped Race Car Sculpture Garden – Artists will reimagine race car forms as painted sculptural works, themed around desert vistas, high-speed expression, or local pride. These pieces may be auctioned or raffled for charity, offering art with a purpose. Mixed media sculptors, metal fabricators, and auto body paint artists are encouraged to submit.
• Pit Stop Palette Mural Experience – A large-scale pop-art mural will bring the pit lane to life with motion lines, tires, and racing flags—perfect for photo ops and selfie moments. Integrated QR codes will link to driver bios, racing trivia, and artist spotlights. Ideal for large-scale muralists and interactive painters.
• Track of Time – Tire Trail – A floor or wall installation composed of painted tire tracks weaving through the space, with each imprint offering a glimpse into motorsports history, legendary races, and Arizona’s connection to racing culture. Printmakers, relief artists, and kinetic painters welcome.
• Checkered Past: Helmet & Hood Gallery – Artists are invited to transform racing helmets or car hoods into one-of-a-kind canvases. Potential themes include “Women in Racing,” “Desert Speed,” and “The Future of Motorsport.” Upcyclers, pop artists, and visual storytellers encouraged.
• Victory Lane Photo Backdrop – A life-size winner’s circle with branded podium, trophy, and confetti gives visitors the ultimate champion photo op. Prop builders and scenic designers invited to contribute.
• Driver’s Seat Interactive Cutout – A race car cockpit sculpture invites families to step inside, strike a pose, and “take the wheel.” Sculptors, set designers, and woodworkers encouraged.
• Fast Art – Live Painting Series – Artists race the clock in high-energy painting battles inspired by motion and car culture. Perfect for live performers and speed painters.
• AR NASCAR Legends Trail – Augmented reality overlays highlight historic race moments and NASCAR icons as fans explore installations via mobile devices. Digital artists, AR developers, and creative coders needed.
• Sound of Speed Tunnel – An audio installation that captures the roar of engines, pit stops, and cheering fans. Sound designers and immersive installation artists encouraged.
• NASCAR x Local Art Pop-Up Market – A curated pop-up market featuring artist-designed NASCAR-themed prints, wearables, and collectibles. Open to makers, illustrators, printmakers, apparel and product designers.

Submission Guidelines

Artists may propose concepts for one or multiple installation formats. Proposals must be submitted by August 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM (MST). Finalists will be selected based on artistic merit, community relevance, feasibility, and engagement potential. Selected artists will receive a commission to fabricate and install their work onsite by late September. 

This call is open to individual artists, artist teams, and creative collectives from any location. Installations must be designed for temporary indoor or outdoor public space exhibition and include clearly visible QR codes and calls to action directing fans to engage with the NASCAR Championship Weekend experience.  

Let your art take the wheel. Create something bold, fast, and unforgettable. Be part of the momentum that drives culture at championship speed. 

Application Requirements

Required Submission Materials 

Artist Resume or CV 

• 1–2 pages maximum
• Highlight relevant exhibitions, installations, public art, or collaborative projects

Artist Statement (Optional but encouraged) 

• Up to 300 words (2,000 characters)
• Share your creative approach, inspiration, and connection to themes like community, culture, or motion

Project Narrative / Proposal Concept 

• 500 words max
• Clearly outline your proposed idea
• Include installation title (working or final), intended materials, interactive elements, and any relevant context
• Identify which site(s) or installation category your proposal aligns with

Sketches or Visual Renderings 

• Conceptual drawings, mockups, or digital renderings that illustrate the design
• Hand-drawn sketches or digital designs accepted (they don’t need to be polished—just clear)

Work Samples and Image List

• 5–15 high-quality images or videos of previous work that demonstrate your ability to complete the proposed project
• Include title, medium, dimensions, year, and (if applicable) installation location or client

Installation Requirements & Materials Overview 

• A basic outline of how the piece would be fabricated, what materials you'd use, and any special requirements (power, hanging, etc.)
• Helps assess feasibility and cost

Budget Estimate (Optional) 

• Not required at proposal stage, but artists may include a rough estimate for materials/labor if desired
• Final budgets will be refined with selected artists

Links (Optional) 

• Website, Instagram, portfolio or video links (especially helpful for performance or AR-based work)

Eligibility Criteria

The Public Art opportunity is open to professional Artists and Artist Teams of any location including but not limited to individuals or teams who are engaged full-time or part-time in the production of eligible works of art, teachers of art, and emerging professional artists.

Artists using artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the creation of their proposal must identify the use of AI in the information accompanying each image. The sculpture must be an original creation by the artist(s). 

Note: Artist Teams are required to select a team lead as a point of contact for all communications. If selected for the project, team members will need to form an LLC or may designate the team lead as signatory in order to contract with the Client. If selecting the team lead as signatory, the Client will contract with them directly as the “Vendor/Contractor”. Subcontracting and performance of team members is the exclusive responsibility of the Vendor/Contractor. Artists applying as a member of a team are not eligible to also apply as an individual.