22nd ST: Camino Seco to Houghton

Opportunity Details

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The 22nd St: Camino Seco to Houghton project will widen 22nd Street from Camino Seco to Houghton Road to a four-lane divided roadway, adding new pavement and including pedestrian facilities, bike lanes, raised medians, street lighting, landscaping, drainage improvements and more. This project is funded by the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA). Construction is slated to begin in 2027, with a construction duration of 18 months. 

PUBLIC ART COMPONENT 

This opportunity invites artists to create permanent, free-standing sculptures at the intersection of 22^nd St. and Old Spanish Trail, located at the northwest and southeast corners of the intersection, enriching the experience of pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. The artworks will be installed on two 8’ x 8’ concrete pads designated for future public art installations. No structure or substrate is available for mural-based work.  

This is a unique opportunity to engage directly with the community, understand their perspectives, and integrate their input into your creative process, creating work that truly resonates with the people who use the space every day. 

The artworks must be suitable for the Southern Arizona climate. Given the harsh desert environment, the use of sustainable materials that can withstand the climate’s extreme conditions, while ensuring long-term durability and low maintenance, will be essential to the success of the project.  

SCOPE OF WORK

Public art project timelines follow the schedule of the larger improvement. Dates subject to change. 

	Thursday, March 5, 2026	Request for Qualifications Application Posted
	Thursday, April 9, 2026	Application Deadline at 11:59 p.m. Arizona Time
	May 2026	Artist Selection Meeting 1 (panel only): The panel will select three (3) finalists to interview. All applicants will be notified, and finalists will prepare for Artist Selection Meeting 2.
	June 2026	Artist Selection Meeting 2 (panel and finalists): Finalist interviews with panel will be conducted via Zoom. Finalists will provide a 15-minute presentation, followed by a 10-minute Q/A.
	July – December 2026	Design Meeting 1 (panel and artist): In the first meeting, the selected artist or artist team will meet with the panel to discuss the project’s community, place, and historical context. The artist(s) will use this input to create three conceptual designs for the next meeting.     Additional Design Meetings (panel and artist): In the second meeting, the artist(s) will present their concepts, and the panel will select one design to develop further. If no design is chosen, the artist(s) will continue refining their concepts. The panel will meet as needed until a final design is approved. Opportunities for engaging with the broader community can be identified during the design phase.
	January 2027 – December 2028	Fabrication and Installation (artist)

ARTWORK BUDGET

The all-inclusive maximum budget listed above is for all artworks and related costs. The all-inclusive 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 related costs required for the installation of the artwork(s). Please note that due to recent changes in federal import/export policies, production material prices may change during the scope of this project.

ELIGIBILITY AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST  

This public art opportunity is open to all professional artists and artist teams with experience creating large-scale public art. Applicants must be 18 or older, legally authorized to work in the United States, and have experience creating free-standing sculptures suitable for outdoor installation. Applicants must also be able to submit six images of completed artworks in which they played a significant role.

No elected members or officers, commissioners, 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 panel. All panel members must declare any conflicts of interest and recuse themselves if a conflict arises.

Applications must be completed solely by the artist or team lead applying for the project. 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 members of a team are not eligible to apply as individuals.

PUBLIC INTERFACE AND EXPECTATIONS 

Community feedback is key to creating artwork that is meaningful and connected to the project’s themes. The selected artist or team will attend at least two panel meetings to present design concepts, receive input, and discuss how community perspectives are being integrated. Additional engagement, such as workshops, site visits, or informal discussions, is encouraged to keep the creative process transparent and collaborative. This approach ensures that the final work reflects a shared understanding among the artist or team, the community, and project partners.

ARTIST SELECTION PROCESS

Artists are selected through a fair and equitable process by a panel composed of project participants, stakeholders, and members of the community. New panels are formed for every public art project. Arts Foundation staff do not directly participate in selecting artists or designs; their role is to facilitate the public art processes and discussions.

The community panel will review and assess all artist submissions based on published criteria and participate in two meetings to deliberate, interview, and select the recommended artist for this project. During the first meeting, the panel will determine which three artists or 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 panel.

Evaluation Criteria  

The following criteria will be considered during the review of applications:

1. Does the applicant demonstrate the ability to translate artistic concepts into materials suitable for public spaces, while considering public interaction, safety, maintenance, and the Sonoran Desert climate?
2. Does the applicant demonstrate the ability to collaborate with project participants to create artwork designs that reflect local cultural and historical themes relevant to the project?
3. Does the applicant demonstrate a high probability of successful completion given the scale and scope of this specific project?

Finalist Interview Questions 

If you are a finalist for the project, you will be asked to present to the panel with the following criteria and questions:

1. Format: You will provide a 15-minute presentation, followed by a 10-minute Q&A with the Panel.  
2. Presentation Preparation: For your presentation, you will share examples of your work as well as your experience and methods in public art. You will also share with the Panel why you are interested in this particular project. You may use any format for your presentation.  
3. Please address the following in your presentation.   
   • What excites you about this project?
   • How do you come up with your design ideas?
   • How do you involve the community in your public art projects?
   • How do you stay on schedule and within budget?

*Additional questions may be asked if appropriate to a specific project. 

Presentation preparation tips 

• Provide a diverse range of examples of your work in your presentation.
• Read through the Project Overview and Exhibition Component outlined above to identify appropriate artwork media specific to the public art project.
• Research the area or subject of the project, the potential significant history, culture, and vision of the program. Panelists appreciate candidates who have done their research and know what they are signing up for.
• Provide specific examples of community engagement tools that you have utilized during your work as an artist and/or for public art projects.
• Take time to prepare your responses and presentation. We provide the questions ahead of time so you can give thoughtful answers.

HOW TO APPLY

Carefully review the eligibility, expectations, and scope of this opportunity prior to submitting your application.

Prepare Application

1. Prepare your artist statement. The statement must describe your qualifications for this position; your motivation to work with community; and your interest in this particular project theme. Your artist statement is a key part of the review process. We encourage you to be thoughtful and intentional when writing it. (300 word limit)
2. Prepare your resume. Two page maximum. Acceptable file types: .doc, .docx, .pdf   
3. 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, .wav, .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

1. Go to Submittable:  artsfoundtucson.submittable.com/submit   
2. Select the project from the list.
3. Login or sign up for an account.
4. Complete all applicant Information.
5. Submit your artist statement.
6. Upload your resume.
7. Upload (6) artwork image samples and details.
8. 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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