Call Detail

Back to Participating Calls
Temporary Trailhead - Trailhead Project 2026
https://santaclaritaarts.com/

Visit Organization Website
Contact Email: ArtistCall@santa-clarita.com

Call Overview

Entry Deadline: 1/26/26 at 11:59 p.m. PST
Days remaining to deadline: 32

Work Sample Requirements


Images | Minimum:Min. 1, Maximum:Max. 5
Video | Minimum:Min. 0, Maximum:Max. 2
Total Samples | Minimum:Min. 1, Maximum:Max. 5
Call Type: Public Art
Eligibility: National
State: California
Budget: $5000

Apply Now

Call Description

The City of Santa Clarita (City) is centrally located, just 30 minutes north of downtown Los Angeles. Explore more than 9,000 acres of rolling open space and 100 miles of picturesque Santa Clarita trails and paseos designed for commuting and recreational use, including walking, riding, jogging, and skating. The regional river trail serves as the backbone of the trail system in this Southern California city. Together with connecting trails, you can access parks, entertainment, and shopping venues. Spending quality time with family and friends is easy to do at one of our many parks, along our trails, and exploring our open space and nearby lakes.

CALL SUMMARY / DESIGN GUIDELINES:

  • There is no required theme for this opportunity however consideration of response to the landscape and site-specificity is encouraged.
  • Creativity and innovation of design are encouraged.
  • Sculpture must be an original design.
  • Sculpture must be suitable for viewing by all ages.
  • Sculpture may not be used for advertisement or to promote business, or product.
  • Designs must not include any breach of intellectual property, trademarks, brands, business names, corporate or organizational branding, or images of drugs.
  • Sculpture can be of any medium, but artists should consider structural and surface soundness and materials that can withstand outside and uncovered weather conditions as well as inherent resistance to theft, vandalism, and excessive maintenance and repair costs.
  • Artists will be required to outline in their proposal, the history with the material as well as the suggested maintenance schedule.

PROJECT GUIDELINES:

  • Sculpture must fit on the pre-determined concrete pad.
  • Location 1: The pad measures 96” by 96” with a usable corner-to-corner space of 72” by 72”.
  • Location 2: The pad measures 120” by 120” with a usable corner-to-corner space of 96” by 96”.
  • A horizontal base could use the maximum length of the base if its width is within the dimensions.
  • Pads are either flush or are a few inches raised from the ground.
  • Sculptures should be no less than 6’ and no more than 15’ in height excluding the base.
  • Sculptures should weigh no more than 3,000 pounds.
  • Power for the sculpture itself is not available onsite.  If the sculpture requires power, then it is suggested that it include a solar component.
  • Artwork must be constructed of durable materials that are able to withstand the harsh weather conditions of the desert (high winds and extreme temperatures).
  • A $5,000 honorarium will be provided for each selected artwork for a three-year period.  The City will collect a 25% commission on the artwork sold during that period.  A contract will be executed prior to installation.
  • Accepted artwork that differs significantly from artwork represented will be disqualified.

BUDGET:

The City of Santa Clarita will provide the following financial support to each selected artist:

  • Honorarium: A $5,000 honorarium for the temporary loan of the artwork.
  • Insurance Stipend: Up to an additional $1,500 stipend will be provided to cover the required three-year insurance costs for the artwork.
  • Engineering Stipend (If Required): The City will provide up to an additional $2,000 stipend to the artist if a professional structural engineer is required to certify the artwork's stability and installation method.

Payments will be made in two installments:

  • First Payment (50%): Half of the $5,000 honorarium ($2,500) plus the full amount of the approved Insurance Stipend ($1,500 maximum) will be issued upon completion and execution of the final Artist Contract.
  • Second Payment (50%): The remaining half of the $5,000 honorarium ($2,500) plus the approved Engineering Stipend ($2,000 maximum, if applicable) will be issued following the successful installation and acceptance of the artwork at the site.

ARTIST RESPONSIBILITIES:

The $5,000 honorarium is intended to cover all expenses related to the artwork's participation in the program, including (but not limited to):

  • Design and Fabrication: All costs associated with the creation of the artwork.
  • Transportation: Responsible for the timely delivery and scheduled pick-up of the artwork.
  • Installation/De-Installation: All labor and costs associated with installing and removing the sculpture.
  • Maintenance Guide: Providing a detailed maintenance guide for the proper care of the artwork.
  • Protective Coating: If a protective coating is necessary to address environmental concerns or potential vandalism, the cost must be covered by the artist.
  • Logistics: All travel, accommodation, and related incidental expenses.
  • All sculptures must be designed with tabs (anchorage) or other devices that can be utilized to easily secure the artwork to the concrete pads.  The concrete pads may not be altered in any way to accommodate the artwork, except for the anchorage locations.  These tabs or other devices must already be secured to the sculpture.
  • Sculpture must be installed in a manner with sufficient anchoring to prevent the sculpture from being removed, tipped, broken, or overturned due to wind or an earthquake.
  • Power for the sculpture itself is not available onsite. If the sculpture requires power then it is suggested that it include a solar component.

Insurance

  • The selected artist will be required to include insurance coverage for the entire three-year period.  An additional $1,500 will be provided to the artist to cover the required three-year insurance costs.

Engineering

  • If the City requires installation drawings and instructions for artwork from a California-licensed engineer to be submitted to the City for approval. City staff will work with the artist to gather the required documentation. The artist is required to provide this information in a timely manner and be available for questions or meetings with City staff and the Engineer.
  • Sculptures must comply with standard engineering practices and requirements.
  • Each artwork will be evaluated to require that it does not present a hazard to public safety and must conform to ADA standards.
  • If required by the City, up to an additional $2,000 will be provided to the artist to cover the required engineer

ARTIST RESOURCES / SANTA CLARITA COMMUNITY:

Links regarding the community and history of the Santa Clarita area:

Application Requirements

TO APPLY:

The required materials must be submitted electronically by midnight (PST), Jaurary 26, 2026 through CaFÉ (callforentry.com).

1. Application Questions:

  • What interests you about this project/temporary art?

2. Resume or CV

3. A maximum of one sculpture for consideration per artist

4. Up to five (5) images of proposed artwork

5. PDF of (5) previous artworks

6. Description of the sculpture must include: material(s), dimensions, previously shown location and dates (if applicable), and maintenance

EVALUATION CRITERIA:

  • Relationship with the natural environment and community
  • Visual impact
  • Interpretation and creativity
  • Composition and design
  • Craftsmanship
  • Clarity of project-specific intent, relevant professional experience, and artistic vision, as expressed in Cover Letter, Resume/CV, and Artistic Statement
  • Design criteria and eligibility guidelines met

Eligibility Criteria

Artists 18 years of age or older are invited to submit an individual or collaborative artist application.  Artist must have a US mailing address for payment to be mailed to and must fill out a W-9. Local Santa Clarita artists or artists with a connection to Santa Clarita are encouraged but not required.