Housing PROJECT OVERVIEW
Amazon Flats is a 59-unit new construction affordable housing project located at 1135 W. Miracle Mile in the Thrive in the ‘05 HUD Choice Neighborhood Implementation (CNI) area. Expected to break ground in Spring 2026, the project is being co-developed by El Pueblo Housing Development, the City’s nonprofit affordable housing arm, and Gorman & Company. Amazon Flats will serve households earning up to 50% of Area Median Income (AMI) and include shared amenities such as a community room, a public plaza, and a resident yard. In addition to Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funding, which is the main source of financing, the project is also supported by HUD CNI funding and a City of Tucson HOME Loan.
Core project partners for the public art project include the City of Tucson’s Housing and Community Development Department, Poster Mirto McDonald, Gorman & Company, and the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona.
PUBLIC ART COMPONENT
As part of the Amazon Flats affordable housing project, public art components will be integrated into the exterior of the building in the form of mosaics and murals. These artwork locations will be key visual elements for residents and visitors of the building. The exterior artwork locations include:
- West Mural: 1,336 sf
- East Mural, which wraps around to the South elevation: 1,355 sf total (800 sf on the East elevation, 555 sf on the South elevation)
- Plaza Mosaic: 135 sf
- Resident Yard Mosaic: 165sf
Within the Plaza Mosaic, the design will extend into the surrounding site through mosaic elements integrated into cast-in-place concrete seating and pavement. These smaller mosaic insets will create a cohesive artistic experience that welcomes residents and visitors while enhancing the streetscape presence of the building. The Resident Yard Mosaic and the East Mural are envisioned as a unified artistic composition blending two different media. All artwork should be designed with durability and long-term maintenance in mind, suitable for an outdoor setting and responsive to both pedestrian- and street-level visibility. The artist will be responsible for applying an anti-graffiti coating to the murals.
The artist will collaborate with and coordinate with the project team to fine-tune the timing of artwork installation and provide input on the finishes—such as color and texture—needed for the mural and mosaic wall surfaces.
The artist is responsible for providing and coordinating any scaffolding needed for the mural installation. Using a lift may not be possible at this site. Please refer to Supplemental Link 2 on Page 3 for all artwork location information.
mosaic locations
Inspiration Photo 1, Photo Credit: Women’s Plaza of Honor, wheatdesigngroup.com
Inspiration Photo 2, Photo Credit: Women’s Plaza of Honor, wheatdesigngroup.com
SCOPE OF WORK
Public art project timelines follow the schedule of the larger improvement. Dates subject to change.
| Thursday, November 20, 2025 | Request for Qualifications Application Posted | |
| Thursday, February 5, 2026 | Application Deadline at 11:59 p.m. Arizona Time | |
| April/May 2026 | Artist Selection Meeting 1 (Panel only): The Panel will select three (3) finalists to interview. All applicants are notified. Finalists prepare for Artist Selection Meeting 2. | |
| May/June 2026 | Artist Selection Meeting 2 (Panel and Finalists): Finalists’ Interviews with Panel. Virtual Zoom Meeting. Finalists will provide a 15-minute presentation, followed by a 10-minute Q/A. | |
| July – September 2026 | Design Meeting 1 (Panel and Artist): In the first meeting, the selected 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. | |
| September 2026-March 2027 | Fabrication and Installation (Artist) Estimated installation timeline: First quarter of 2027 |
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 will 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.
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 from 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 and participation are essential to creating artwork that benefits and represents the diverse identities reflected in the project’s themes and concepts. The selected artist(s) will be required to attend at least two meetings with the panel.
ARTIST SELECTION PROCESS
Artists are selected through a fair and equitable selection process by a Panel comprised 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. The role of Arts Foundation staff 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/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:
- Does the applicant show the ability to translate artistic concepts into materials suitable for public spaces, while considering public interaction, safety, maintenance, and the Sonoran Desert climate?
- 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?
- Does the applicant demonstrate a high probability of successful completion for 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:
- Format: You will provide a 15-minute presentation, followed by a 10-
minute Q&A with the Panel.
- 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.
- 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 mediums specific to the public art project.
- Research the area or subject of the project, 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 give you the questions ahead of time so you can provide thoughtful answers.
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 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)
- Prepare your resume. Two page 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, .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
- Go to Submittable: artsfoundtucson.submittable.com/submit
- Select the project from the list.
- Login 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 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.
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