Call Description

To view this call in PDF form, please click here.

Project Schedule

• Request for Qualifications opens    Thurs., October 16, 2025
• Virtual Info Session for Interested Applicants    Tues., October 28, 2025 at 12:30 pm MT
• RFQ submission deadline    Tues., Nov. 18, 2025 by 11:59 pm MT
• Notification of finalist selection    Early December 2025
• Virtual Pre-Proposal Meeting with Finalists    Mid December 2025
• Artwork proposal development     Winter 2025 – 2026
• Artwork proposals due from finalists    Weds., February 25, 2026 by 5:00 pm MT
• Final artwork presentation to Art Design Board    Weds., March 4, 2026
• Notification of artist selection for commission    March 2026
• Contracting    April/May 2026
• Artwork site integration & engineering    Summer 2026  
• Artwork fabrication & installation     Fall/Winter 2026 – Spring 2027
• Installation completion & ribbon-cutting    Summer 2027

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We acknowledge that the land upon which the Salt Lake City Public Art Program operates – the land where we gather, create, and appreciate art – is the traditional and unceded territory of the Shoshone, Goshute, Paiute, and Ute Peoples. The history of this land predates the establishment of Salt Lake City, and we honor the Indigenous Peoples who have stewarded this land for generations. Let us actively work towards dismantling systems of inequality and injustice, as we strive to create a more inclusive and equitable future together.

PROJECT BACKGROUND & CONTEXT

The West Side of Salt Lake City, historically home to the Shoshone and Ute tribes, is one of Utah’s most racially and ethnically diverse areas. Over time, the West Side became a primary entry point for immigrants from Eastern Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Pacific Islands, Africa, and the Middle East, as well as African Americans. Generations of residents have enriched the West Side with their cultural practices, religions, architectures, organizations, and businesses. Today, the West Side includes the neighborhoods of Rose Park, Glendale, Westpointe, Fairpark, Poplar Grove, and Jordan Meadows and is represented by Council District 1 and Council District 2.

Despite this richness, the West Side has faced a history of political, racial, and economic marginalization. Residents have long contended with low-wage employment, rising housing costs and involuntary displacement, delayed public health and infrastructure improvements, and the lasting consequences of redlining. The division created by railroad tracks and Interstate 15 has further exacerbated inequities, evident today in disparities in economic, health, and educational opportunities between the West and East sides. Most residents of the West Side are people of color, with Latiné/x individuals comprising nearly half of this population.

In 2023, Mayor Erin Mendenhall set forth a goal to commission “iconic” public artworks for Salt Lake City’s West Side—projects rooted in community input and reflective of residents’ shared values of belonging, identity, and resilience. In 2024, she expanded this initiative by tasking the Public Art Program with delivering two major commissions. Together, these projects represent a coordinated effort to celebrate the unique identity of the West Side through community-informed public art.

The first project, at Glendale Park, launched in early 2024 with call for artists process that resulted in the selection of an artist to initiate this work. As part of this process, additional community engagement was conducted—not artwork-specific, but focused on listening deeply to residents’ perspectives on place, identity, and belonging.

The second project, located along the 9-Line Trail, carries the same community-informed goals. Funded by the Salt Lake City Community Reinvestment Agency (CRA), the 9-Line Trail commission will contribute to this vital east–west connector that links neighborhoods, expands access, and supports recreation and community gathering.

The artist selected for this 9-Line Trail commission will be required to inform their work through both the West Side Public Art Project: Mayor’s Goal Engagement Report (2023) and West Side Public Art Project: Community Engagement Report (2025). Additional engagement, research, or collaborative processes are encouraged but not required. The final artwork should be deeply community-informed, with the potential to involve residents directly in its design, fabrication, or installation.

As outlined in the Arts Council’s 2021–2026 Strategic Plan, the Salt Lake City Arts Council is committed to fostering equity in the community, bolstering the arts through new and creative partnerships, and empowering the arts sector. Equity in Salt Lake City means acknowledging and addressing historic and current disparities experienced by residents, employees, businesses, neighborhoods, and visitors. Through this project, Salt Lake City seeks to create a public artwork that embodies these values while celebrating the vibrancy, resilience, and cultural richness of the West Side.

Together, the Glendale Park and 9-Line Trail commissions represent two complementary but independent public artworks. Both artworks will be guided by community input and each will celebrate the unique identity of Salt Lake City’s West Side.

PROJECT SCOPE & SITE DESCRIPTION

The Salt Lake City Arts Council’s Public Art Program, in collaboration with the Salt Lake City Community Reinvestment Agency (CRA), Salt Lake City Public Lands, West Side residents, and other stakeholders, seeks to commission an artist or artist-led team to create a community-informed public art installation the west side of the 9-Line Trail. The work should be informed by—and created for—West Side communities, reflecting their shared values and fostering a sense of belonging. To maximize community impact, the selected artist or team will build upon findings from the extensive engagement efforts already conducted and summarized in the attached reports. The resulting artwork should authentically represent the West Side’s culture, history, and people, serving as a landmark for both the city and the communities it represents.

The 9-Line Trail is a multi-use pathway stretching across Salt Lake City, connecting neighborhoods, supporting recreation and active transportation, and fostering community gathering. As highlighted in the 9-Line Community Reinvestment Area, the Westside Master Plan, the 9-Line Corridor Masterplan, and the 9-Line Extension Study, intersections, gateways, and recreational nodes along the trail present opportunities for public art that celebrates the diversity and vibrancy of the West Side. The trail links open spaces and neighborhoods, offering a framework for art that strengthens community identity and civic pride.

For this commission, the project area is defined as the public right-of-way portion of the 9-Line Trail within the CRA project area west of Interstate 15 (I-15). The primary site is the intersection of 900

South and 900 West, envisioned as the central location for a major, iconic installation. While this intersection is the project’s focus, artists will propose secondary elements along the 9-Line Trail within the CRA project area to extend the impact of the primary installation. These features could take the form of wayfinding, gateway elements, or small-scale activations that reinforce the overall artwork concept.

Additional Locations: In the 9-Line Corridor Master Plan, “nodes” are identified as major intersections or gathering points along the trail that connect to important destinations and provide opportunities for community activity, placemaking, and development. Each node is envisioned as more than a crossing—they are potential hubs where public art, amenities, or design features can strengthen neighborhood identity and trail connectivity. Key 9-Line Trail nodes within this commission’s project area include:

• Redwood Road
• Navajo Street
• Jordan River Oxbow
• 15 Underpass/Gateway

Any proposed elements at these nodes must be limited in scope, clearly connected to the primary artwork, and will be reviewed for feasibility, integration with existing infrastructure, and alignment with the trail’s broader vision.

The selected artist and/or artist-led team will be expected to create a work that resonates deeply with the West Side community, informed primarily by the engagement reports from 2023 and 2025. While additional engagement is not required, artists may choose to pursue further collaboration if it strengthens their process or deepens community resonance. Artists from outside Utah are welcome—but not required—to collaborate with local artists across any discipline to help co-create or facilitate community connections in the development of this artwork.

Click here to view images of the site.

ARTWORK GOALS

The Salt Lake Art Design Board seeks to commission an artist or artist-led team to create a community-informed artwork for Salt Lake City’s West Side along the 9-Line Trail that meets some or all the following conceptual and aesthetic goals:

• Demonstrates a compelling artistic vision that enhances placemaking, promotes neighborhood pride, and contributes to the vibrant character of Salt Lake City’s West Side;
• Reflects the diverse cultural heritage, interests, and/or stories of Salt Lake City’s West Side, highlighting the unique identities and experiences of its residents or environment;
• Serves as a visible and significant landmark for the West Side, fostering a sense of belonging, inclusivity, and connection for both residents and visitors;
• Aligns with the overarching goals of the 9-Line Trail to strengthen neighborhood connections and community identity;
• Is informed through community-centered strategies that celebrate and reflect the resiliency of the West Side and its residents;
• Considers innovative and sustainable design practices that reflect the West Side’s commitment to environmental stewardship and resilience;
• Demonstrates high-quality craftsmanship and attention to detail, ensuring the artwork meets all public safety, structural, and maintenance standards, including accessibility requirements and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other Salt Lake City requirements.

ARTWORK COMMISSION BUDGET

The total budget for this commission is $420,000. Funding for this project is provided entirely by the Salt Lake City Community Reinvestment Agency (CRA).

This commission amount is inclusive of all costs associated with the project, including but not limited to: the artist’s design fee; consultation fees (such as structural engineering); preparation and submittal of final artwork proposal; design collaboration throughout the length of the project; additional community outreach and engagement (including any fees or honoraria incurred by working with local artists or community members); insurance (including Utah Workers Compensation); tools and materials; artwork fabrication, transportation, and installation; all site preparations and/or infrastructure modifications required for integration of the artwork; travel to and from Salt Lake City; per diem expenses; and a recommended contingency fund to address unexpected expenses (recommended to be set at 10%).

ARTIST QUALIFICATIONS AND SELECTION PROCESS

The selection of an artist or artist-led team is subject to, but not limited by, the following qualifications:

• Professional experience represents a developed and successful body of site-specific public art projects of a similar scope and scale as demonstrated by visual documentation;
• Demonstrates a commitment to creating community-informed artwork that authentically reflects Salt Lake City’s West Side communities, drawing from past engagement reports and cultural context;
• Experience in community-centered approaches that inform the scope and design of artwork, whether through past engagement efforts or other strategies for grounding the work in place;
• Ability to meet deadlines and budget and to perform work in a timely, professional manner;
• Willingness of the artist to consult and work collaboratively with the Salt Lake Art Design Board, project stakeholders, community members, and design & construction teams;
• Demonstrates a strong understanding of sense of place and design in a context-sensitive manner.

The Salt Lake Art Design Board, in consultation with project stakeholders, will review all properly submitted applications and will select a short-list of up to four (4) finalists to enter into the design development phase to propose artwork for review.

Artist-led team applications are welcomed. Each team must be led by a person with a demonstrated history of professional activity as an artist. Teams may not substitute team members after submission unless the Public Art Program consents to any proposed substitution. An artist may not apply as a member of more than one team and may not apply as an individual artist if already applying as a team – one person/one application.

FINALIST PROCESS & ARTWORK PROPOSAL PRESENTATION

All finalists will be required to attend a meeting to learn more about the project and receive information to fully develop an artwork proposal, including access to detailed reports summarizing community engagement efforts for Salt Lake City’s West Side. Artists will have the opportunity to make site visits and, if they wish, conduct additional community outreach to further inform their designs.

The finalists will develop conceptual proposals and present them to the Salt Lake City Art Design Board and project partners. Site-specific proposals should convey ideas and plans through scaled designs, renderings and/or models, accompanied by a written statement describing the project’s intent, proposed materials, fabrication and installation methods, project schedule, and an itemized budget. Proposals must also describe how the artwork incorporates insights from the provided community engagement findings and reflects the diversity of the West Side.

Finalists will receive a $4,200 stipend for all design & artwork proposal development, research, meetings, presentations, and, if applicable, additional community engagement. The stipend is inclusive of any travel expenses, hotel, shipping, etc. If a finalist is awarded the commission, their stipend amount will be deducted from the total commission budget.

Once selected, the selected finalists must email a PDF color rendering of their proposal to the Salt Lake City Public Art Program Manager by Wednesday, February 26, 2026 by 5:00 p.m. MST. Materials will be distributed to the Art Design Board and project partners prior to the finalists’ presentation on Wednesday, March 3, 2026.

ARTIST AGREEMENTS & PROJECT ASSUMPTIONS

All finalists will enter into an agreement with the Salt Lake City Arts Council for proposal development. After final artwork proposal presentations, the Salt Lake Art Design Board will recommend an artist or artist-led team, and one alternate, for the commission to the Mayor for final approval. Only the selected artist or artist-led team will enter into an Artist Commissioned Work Agreement with the City. The alternate will enter into a commission agreement only in the case that the City and the selected artist are unable, for any reason and in City’s sole discretion, to enter into the commission agreement.

Throughout the length of the project, the selected artist or artist-led team must carry general liability and automobile insurance and must either provide proof of Workers’ Compensation Coverage or apply for a Workers’ Compensation Coverage Waiver.

Salt Lake City will retain the right to remove or relocate the artwork as may be deemed necessary in the future. The selected artist/team will retain copyright to their work but will grant Salt Lake City right to reproduction. In the performance of this project under agreement with Salt Lake City, artist/team shall comply with all applicable Salt Lake City requirements, laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations.

View a sample a sample Artist Commissioned Work Agreement here.

RESOURCES

• West Side Public Art Project: 2023 Mayor’s Goal Engagement Report – Developed by Salt Lake City Arts Council and Civic Engagement team, this document presents the data and stories collected throughout the initial round of engagement. This document was used as a guide in determining a project structure for the West Side commissions.
• West Side Public Art Project: 2025 Community Engagement Report – Developed by the Salt Lake City Arts Council, Union Creative (community engagement consultant), and artist Matthew Mazzotta, in support of the sister West Side public art commission at Glendale Park. This engagement was not artwork-specific but instead focused on listening deeply to residents’ perspectives on place, identity, and belonging.
• Westside Masterplan Plan – Led by Salt Lake City’s Planning Division and adopted in December 2014, the plan provides a vision and policy framework for Glendale and Poplar Grove, shaped by over two years of community engagement. A summary can be viewed here.
• 9-Line Corridor Plan – The 9-Line Corridor Master Plan, led by Salt Lake City’s Planning Division and adopted in March 2015, serves as a framework to guide development of the corridor—including vision, goals, priorities, and design principles.
• 9-Line Trail Extension Study – A study adopted in January 2018 that developed the conceptual design and implementation strategy for extending the 9-Line Trail east to Emigration Canyon and west to the Surplus Canal, building on prior transportation plans and establishing detailed designs and timelines.
• 9-Line Community Reinvestment Area – This public art commission is possible through funding available for this CRA Project Area. The CRA is working to leverage the area’s commercial revitalization, housing stability, economic development, and enhancement of the public realm. Read their 9-Line Project Area Plan here and view the 9-Line Project Area Map here.
• Thriving in Place – This Salt Lake City Council-adopted anti-displacement plan studied the factors driving displacement in Salt Lake City and identified strategies for City government to help residents remain in their homes and neighborhoods.
• The West View – West View Media is a nonprofit news organization that informs, educates, and inspires readers through publications that focus on the diverse communities in Salt Lake City’s West Side.
• Salt Lake West Side Stories – A serialized and illustrated history of Salt Lake City’s “old” West Side by the Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement. Although the focus of this series is on the “original” West Side of Salt Lake City (the area surrounding Pioneer Park), it offers well-researched historical background on the communities that have and continue to inhabit the West Side of Salt Lake City.
• This list of resources is just the beginning. There are multiple community organizations whose sole mission is to support, celebrate, and empower Salt Lake City’s West Side communities and residents. Some notable partners doing this important work include NeighborWorks Salt Lake, University Neighborhood Partners, the West Side Coalition, and Mestizo Institute of Culture and Arts, among many, many others.

RFQ INFORMATION SESSION, QUESTIONS, AND APPLICATION SUPPORT

All questions regarding this Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) may only be directed to Salt Lake City Public Art Program staff at the email address listed below. Artists may be disqualified if any unsolicited contact related to this RFQ is made with a member of the Art Design Board or project stakeholders other than the Public Art Program staff during the selection process.

We do our best to respond to inquiries quickly, however we may not be able to respond in a timely manner during the final days prior to deadlines stated above. Please give yourself ample time to consider your participation in this project and reach out to our staff, at any stage in the process, with any questions or concerns.

Email: publicartprogram@slc.gov

Website: https://publicart.slc.gov/for-artists/calls-for-artists/

If you do not have access to a computer or WiFi to apply, the Salt Lake City Public Library branches offer free computer and WiFi access. If you require further resources or accommodations, such as translation and interpretation services into languages other than English, please email publicartprogram@slc.gov for assistance. Please note: translation and interpretation services require additional time to coordinate, so we encourage artists to reach out as early as possible to ensure support can be provided.

INFORMATION SESSION: The recording of the applicant info session can be viewed here:  https://youtu.be/QCXUWwPThVQ?si=4HRh3GGJQVCUdDAfhttps://youtu.be/y3RZdDZbrus

To access the presentation slides covered during this info session, please click here.

View the Questions and Answers received for this project here.
 

Application Requirements

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Artist qualifications that arrive on or before 11:59 pm MT on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 and meet all the application requirements will be reviewed.

The applicant’s full name and contact information must appear on all submitted materials. Artist-led team applications are also welcomed. If applying as a team, indicate the name and contact information of the team’s representative. Each team must be led by a person with a demonstrated history of professional activity as an artist. Teams may not substitute team members after submission unless the Public Art Program consents to any proposed substitution. An artist may not apply as a member of more than one team and may not apply as an individual artist if already applying as a team – one person/one application.

To be considered for this project, applicants must submit all the required materials via the CaFÉ (www.callforentry.org) website. There is no application fee. No other method of submission will be accepted. Assistance using CaFÉ is available online, by email, or by calling 303-629-1166 during business hours.

Any materials not specifically requested as part of this application or exceeding the maximum page length or format requirements will not be considered or reviewed by the Art Design Board and may result in disqualification. Notifications of disqualifications will not be made.

1.     LETTER OF INTEREST

A letter not to exceed one page (500 words) outlining your interest, perspective, strength, and experience for this project. Letter must include address, email, phone number, and website of artist.

• Describe how your previous work addressed site and/or similar goals as stated for this project;
• Explain how you would approach creating an artwork that reflects and builds upon the community engagement findings already gathered for Salt Lake City’s West Side;
• If applicable, provide examples of previous experience collaborating with community members in your artistic process. While additional engagement is not required for this project, preference will be given to artists or teams who can thoughtfully incorporate community voices when beneficial to the design process;
• Do not submit a proposal for a new commission at this time.

2.     RÉSUMÉ OR CV

A résumé or CV, not to exceed two pages, that outlines professional accomplishment and includes two professional references (name, affiliated organization, email address, and phone number) for both individual applicants and teams.

• If applying as a team, submit a two-page résumé for each team member combined into one PDF.
• References will only be contacted during the interviewing process for the artists/teams selected as finalists. 

3.     IMAGES OF PAST WORK

These images are the primary way the quality of your work is judged. Five to ten (5-10) visuals (up to two videos) of past artwork that demonstrate your qualifications for this project.

• Provide the following information for each: title, year produced, dimensions, budget, medium, location, and a brief description.
• Images of designs for previously proposed projects that were not developed to completion may be submitted but should be clearly marked as such. Previous proposals cannot account for more than 3 of the requested 10 images.
• If applying as a team and the team has not collaborated previously, images of work from all team members as appropriate should be included (please note that teams are limited to 10 visuals total).

Complete all fields in the CaFÉ portfolio section and upload through the "CHOOSE WORK SAMPLES" section. Instructions on how to format images to CaFÉ specifications may be found at https://www.callforentry.org/artist-help-cafe/uploading-media/

Eligibility Criteria

ELIGIBILITY: This Call for Artists is open to all artists or artist-led teams located within the United States regardless of race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, political opinion or affiliation, or mental or physical disability. Strong preference will be given to artists/teams who have experience creating community-informed artwork, whether through direct collaboration with community members or by drawing meaningfully from community-driven input and cultural context.