PROJECT OVERVIEW
The Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona, in partnership with the Pima County Health Department, seeks to commission an artist or artist team to develop a community-driven art project that addresses substance use stigma in Pima County.
The Work
This project will commission an artist or an artist team to work with a cohort of community members with lived experience of substance misuse to create artwork that challenges stigma and builds understanding across communities in Pima County. Artwork shaped by community knowledge and lived experience has the power to create meaningful dialogue, foster connection, and contribute to healing through community voices and perspectives. The project positions art as a tool for dialogue, connection, and public understanding. Together, this cohort will develop artwork that will spark conversations about substance use, increase acceptance of available resources, and, overall, promote positive health outcomes among people who use drugs (PWUD), service providers, and the broader community.
Artistic Approaches
Appropriate artwork media for this project include a wide range of collaborative and community-driven practices, such as temporary or site-responsive installations; performance and spoken word; film and digital storytelling; sound- and music-based work; murals and graphic interventions; and social or participatory practices in which interaction itself is the primary medium. Hybrid and interdisciplinary approaches are encouraged, especially those that prioritize shared authorship, accessibility, and public engagement. All media should support dialogue, reflection, and connection, and be adaptable to community spaces and public settings rather than being focused solely on permanent objects.
Community Showcase
The project will culminate in Summer 2026 with a public presentation or event organized by the artist and cohort, with support from the Arts Foundation and Pima County Health. The event will showcase collaborative work and invite broader community engagement with the themes and stories that emerged through the process.
This initiative is the third iteration of SaludArte, a public art and public health collaboration that supports artist-led projects at the intersection of community engagement, equity, and public health practices. By harnessing the power of collaborative artmaking, this project seeks to increase access to treatment and harm reduction services while reducing stigma and its harmful impacts. The initiative also prioritizes the inclusion of historically marginalized communities, reinforcing a commitment to equity and representation in the arts.
SCOPE OF WORK
This is a fast-track project. The selected artist(s) must be available to attend all mandatory meetings and complete all aspects of production within the project period listed below. Dates are subject to change.
ARTWORK BUDGET
The all-inclusive maximum budget listed above covers all artworks and related costs. The budget includes but is not limited to the artist fee(s), artwork materials, insurance, stamped engineering plans, tax requirements, research, community engagement, contract, labor, fabrication, platforms, earthwork, lighting, permits, and all other costs required for the installation and community showcase of the artwork(s). Stipends for community participants will be paid by Program Partners. Please note that due to recent changes in federal import/export policies, production material prices may change throughout this project.
ELIGIBILITY
Open to all artists and artist teams 18 or older residing in Pima County with experience teaching or working with the community. We especially encourage applications from artists who reflect the diversity of our community, including those with lived experience with substance misuse, artists from historically marginalized communities, and those committed to collaborative, equity-centered approaches. Both emerging and established artists are welcome to apply.
Applications must be completed solely by the applying artist or the team lead. Applications submitted by artists’ representatives, managers, or galleries will not be accepted. The Arts Foundation will disburse funds only to this individual. The team lead will also be the point of contact for all communications. Artists applying as part of a team are not eligible to apply as individuals.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Employees, board members, and immediate family members of the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona are prohibited from applying to this project. Any person in a position to receive financial gain from the selection of artist(s) will be ineligible to serve in the cohort. All artists and cohort members must declare any conflicts of interest and recuse themselves if one arises.
PUBLIC INTERFACE AND EXPECTATIONS
The selected artist or artist team will work collaboratively with a paid cohort of individuals with lived or living experience throughout the project. The commissioned artist will be expected to attend all required meetings and facilitate collaborative design and production sessions with the cohort. Community feedback and participation are essential to creating artwork that reflects diverse perspectives and lived experiences. Broader community engagement beyond the cohort is encouraged and supported.
ARTIST SELECTION PROCESS
Artists are selected through a fair and equitable process administered by the Arts Foundation. The selection panel is comprised of cohort community members who have lived experience with stigma related to substance misuse. Arts Foundation staff do not directly participate in the selection of artists or designs. Their role is to facilitate public art processes and discussions.
The cohort will review and assess all artist submissions based on published criteria and will participate in two meetings to deliberate, interview, and select the recommended artist for this project. During the first meeting, the cohort will determine which three artists/artist teams will be invited to interview as finalists. During the second meeting, each of the three finalists will deliver a presentation to the panel demonstrating the scope of their work, conveying their qualifications, and articulating their interest in this specific project. Each presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session with the cohort.
Evaluation Criteria
The following criteria will be considered during the review of applications:
- Does the applicant demonstrate the ability to translate artistic concepts into materials that are appropriate for public spaces, taking into consideration public interaction, safety, maintenance, and suitability to the Sonoran Desert climate, if applicable?
- Does the applicant demonstrate the ability to lead project participants in producing artwork designs that reflect the project’s goals, including local, cultural, and historical themes related to substance misuse?
- Does the applicant demonstrate a strong likelihood of successfully completing a project of this specific scale and scope?
Finalist Interview Questions
If you are selected as a finalist for this project, you will be asked to present to the cohort using the following format and addressing the questions below.
- Format: You will provide a 15-minute presentation, followed by a 10- minute Q&A with the cohort.
- Presentation Preparation: For your presentation, share examples of your artwork, including your teaching experience and your experience working with community. You should also share with the cohort why you are interested in this particular project. You may use any format for your presentation.
- Please address the following in your presentation.
- What excites you about this project?
- How do you involve the community in your public art projects?
- How do you translate community knowledge and dialogue into creative work?
- How do you stay on schedule and within budget?
- How can your background or lived experience positively contribute to this project?
Finalist Presentation Preparation Tips
- Show diverse examples of your collaborative work. Review the Project Overview to understand the range of artistic approaches welcomed for this project and share work that demonstrates your ability to facilitate community-driven artmaking.
- Understand substance misuse, stigma, and community context. Research substance misuse stigma, harm reduction approaches, and the communities most impacted in Pima County. The cohort values candidates who understand what they’re stepping into and why this work matters.
- Share your community engagement approach. Provide specific examples of your experience with community engagement, teaching, and how you have facilitated collaborative design processes, or created space for shared authorship in your artistic practice.
- Prepare thoughtful responses. Interview questions will be provided ahead of time so you can reflect deeply and share meaningful answers about your approach to this work.
HOW TO APPLY
Carefully review the eligibility, expectations, and scope of this opportunity prior to submitting your application.
Prepare Application
- Prepare your artist statement. Your statement must describe your qualifications for this position, your motivation to work with the community, and your interest in this particular project theme. Your artist statement is a key part of the review process, so we encourage you to be thoughtful and intentional in your writing. (300-word limit).
- Describe how your background, skills, and life or work experience will support the goals of this project. (200-word limit).
- Prepare your resume. Two pages maximum. Acceptable file types: .doc, .docx, .pdf.
- Prepare six (6) samples of your artwork. Artwork samples must represent completed work by the applicant(s), proposals or renderings will not be accepted. Acceptable file types: .gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .doc, .docx, .pdf, .m4a, .mp3, .mp4, .mpg, .ppt, .pptx. For each sample submitted, if applicable, please include the title, date, location, dimensions, materials used, budget, and your role in the project.
Submit Application
- Go to Submittable: artsfoundtucson.submittable.com/submit
- Select the project from the list.
- Log in or sign up for an account.
- Complete all applicant Information.
- Submit your artist statement.
- Upload your resume.
- Upload (6) artwork image samples and details.
- Review your application and submit the 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 the 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.
To find out more about our public art opportunities, sign up for our monthly newsletter here https://artsfoundtucson.org/newsletter
