PROJECT OVERVIEW
In collaboration with the Pima Association of Governments (PAG) and the City of Tucson Department of Transportation, the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona (Arts Foundation) is seeking to hire six to eight youth artists between the ages of 16 to 18 to assist and learn from a professional artist in the design and production of public art this summer. The project is expected to begin in late May once school is out and continue through to the end of July (i.e. 9 weeks total 5/29-7/31).
Project Goals
The goals of the project are to provide youth with an opportunity to be employed and participate in all phases of the design and creation of a public artwork under the guidance of a professional artist. The outcome will be artwork of a quality comparable to current public art standards with the teaching artist serving as a mentor to youth artists.
Artwork Theme and Medium
Teaching and Youth Artists will paint designs on up to 6 double-sided interactive puzzle murals. Mural surfaces will be made of recycled metal street signs. Designs will include imagery of dogs as a place-making and wayfinding strategy and the Ward 4 Office’s vision to invite people to the new Wagging Tails dog park.
Artwork Placement
The final artwork will be located in the medians north of the entrance for the Wagging Tails Dog Park at Lower Lincoln Park (8330 E Escalante Rd). The exact location of work site location (e.g. city owned facility) will be confirmed in coordination with the City of Tucson.
Work Site Location
The youth will not be working within the median, rather off-site at a designated “studio.” The exact location (e.g. city owned facility) will be confirmed in coordination with the City of Tucson. This site will be insured and safe. The youth must be able to travel to the determined work site in the same manner as traveling to any job site; walk, drive, bus, bike or family rides.
PROJECT TIMELINE
| Friday, March 8, 2024 | Call to Artist Guidelines Posted |
| Monday, April 8, 2024 | Application Deadline at 11:59 p.m. Arizona Time |
| April 2024 | Application Review Stage |
| May 2024 | Teaching Artist and Artist Youth Selected |
| May 2024 – June 2024 | Artwork Design Phase: Panel Meetings, Broader Public Meetings. |
| June 2024 – July 2024 | Fabrication, Installation. |
| By July 31, 2024 | Dedication/Event |
HOURLY PAY
Selected youth will be paid at a rate slightly higher than minimum wage at a $15 hourly rate. Interested youth must complete the attached application and upload it through the online application site hosted by Submittable. Applications will be reviewed by a team including the artist, City of Tucson, and Arts Foundation representatives. Interviews may follow review of application materials.
MINIMUM YOUTH ARTISTS REQUIREMENTS
- Age 16 to 18
- Current enrollment in high school
- Demonstrated interest in art
- Transportation to and from the work site
- Available 20 hours per week (e.g. 8:30 AM-12:30 PM) for the entire 9 weeks (about 2 months) of the program (5/29-7/31, with the exception of July 4th)
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
No elected members or officers, commissioners, nor employees of the City of Tucson or Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona, Arts Foundation board members, nor their immediate family members are allowed to apply to this project. Any person in a position to receive financial gain from the selection of artist(s) will be ineligible to serve on a public art project panel. All panel members must declare any conflict of interest and recuse themselves if a conflict of interest arises.
Applications must be completed solely by the artist or team lead applying for the project. Applications submitted from Artists’ representatives, managers, or galleries will not be accepted. Artist teams are required to select a team lead that will contract directly with the city to become a vendor. The city will disburse funds only to this individual. The team lead will also be the point of contact for all communications. Artists applying as a member of a team are not eligible to apply as an individual.
PUBLIC INTERFACE AND EXPECTATIONS
The Teaching Artist, Youth Artists, and Team Coordinator will adhere to protocols outlined in the City of Tucson Public Art Program Administrative Directives throughout the scope of the project. The selected Teaching Artist will contract directly with the City of Tucson Department of Transportation and Mobility.
The goals of the project are to provide youth with an opportunity to be employed and participate in all phases of the design and installation of a public artwork under the guidance of a professional artist. The outcome will be artwork of a quality comparable to current public art standards. The Teaching Artist will mentor youth artists and collaborate with staff from the Department of Transportation and Mobility, Ward 4 City Council Office, the Public Art Project Panel, and the Arts Foundation to determine the final design of artwork.
Community feedback and participation is essential to creating artwork that represents neighborhood identities and cultures in the design of the artwork. The final design must be approved by the Public Art Project Panel with a majority vote prior to any fabrication or production of the artwork. Special consideration must be given to the sustainability and maintenance of the artwork.
SELECTION PROCESS
Youth Artists are selected through a fair and equitable selection process by a panel of seven or more individuals including local artists and art professionals, project stakeholders and members of the community. New panels are formed for every public art project. Arts Foundation staff do not directly participate in the art selection process. Our role is to facilitate the process in accordance with the City of Tucson Public Art Program. The panel will review all artist submissions.
HOW TO APPLY
Carefully review the eligibility, expectations, and scope of this opportunity prior to submitting your application.
Prepare Application
- Prepare your artist statement. The statement must include your particular interest in this project and your connection to or interest in the project location.
- Prepare up to six (6) image samples of your completed artwork. Acceptable file types: .jpg, .png. For each image submitted please list the title, date, medium, and short description. If you have not yet created any art works, please carefully explain why you would be interested to learn and participate in this project.
- Signed letter of recommendation from a teacher, mentor, etc. Acceptable file types: .doc, ,docx, .pdf.
Submit Application
- Go to Submittable: artsfoundtucson.submittable.com/submit
- Select the project from the list.
- Login or sign up for an account.
- Complete the eligibility requirements.
- Complete all applicant Information.
- Submit your artist statement.
- Upload up to (6) artwork image samples.
- Complete demographic data.
- Review your application and submit form.
A confirmation email will be sent to the email address you used to create your Submittable account.
You may be contacted regarding your application via Submittable, email, or by phone.
APPLICATION HELP
If you have questions about the application process or content of your application, please email us at publicart@artsfoundtucson.org or call (520) 624-0595
If you encounter any technical issues with the online application platform, please email the Submittable at support@submittable.com or call (855) 467-8264.
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