RFP - Call for Temporary Arts engagement activities
10-year public art plan for the City of Scottsdale
Applications due: Friday, October 31, 2025 at Noon PST
Ed Mel, Jack Knife, photo by Brian Passey
Application Due Date:
FRI, October 31, 2025 at Noon PST
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Art Builds Community, on behalf of the Scottsdale Arts, seeks proposals from artists to design and lead temporary, socially engaged community art activities to gather community input for the 10-year Public Art Plan for the City of Scottsdale. The project's goal is to reach community members where they are – public spaces, community events, and gathering spaces – rather than expecting them to attend public meetings.
Ideal art engagement activities will include placement in multiple locations and engage a broad cross-section of the Scottsdale community. Additionally, the project will need to involve hard-to-reach populations such as young people, seniors, and workers. Artists will ask community members to envision the future of civic and cultural arts in Scottsdale.
Eligible projects should take place from November 15 through December 20, 2025 and will produce a collection of ideas and feedback that will inform the 10-year Public Art Plan for the
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Scottsdale Public Art, a department of Scottsdale Arts, in partnership with consultant team Art Builds Community and Cirrus Collaborative LLC, has launched the process to develop a 10-year Public Art Plan for the City of Scottsdale. Building upon the work done by the Scottsdale Public Art staff, the process will be comprised of 3 phases that will begin with engagement with the community. This multi-phase project will culminate in a comprehensive 10-year Public Art Plan, guiding the future of public art in Scottsdale over the next ten years in line with the growth of the City.
The City of Scottsdale 10-year Public Art Plan will guide the integration of public art in civic and private development that will contribute to the growth and engagement of this well-established program. The plan will focus on future public art funding and activities that support the City's cultural and development goals.
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Develop an art activity to engage and gather feedback from community members at three (3) public community events about how they envision the future of arts and culture for the City of Scottsdale.
Further development of the proposed art activity will be supported by Art Builds Community
Events where artist engagements will take place at:
Canal Convergence (2 days) November 15-16, 2025 (mandatory)
11/15 - Set up - 5PM , Program: 6PM - 10PM
11/16 - Set up - 5PM, Program 6PM - 9PM
Library Pop-up – TBD
Skysong pop-up – To be confirmed
More events to be confirmed
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The budget for this project $5000-$7000, including time, materials, insurance*, fees, and travel. Budget approval is based on arts engagement proposal.
* Artist must include Art Builds Community and Scottsdale Arts as additionally insured certificate of insurance.
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Alignment with the project description articulated in this document.
Creativity of approach
Artistic quality of past work
Capacity to complete project at designated public events
Cultural sensitivity and ability to work with diverse communities
Local artist preference (open to Phoenix Metro Area)
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Please email your PDF application packet to: Quynh-Mai Nguyen at
Quynh-Mai@artbuildscommunity.com
Please provide:
Letter of Interest – include contact information, artist statement, description of the proposed project, potential project types, and partnerships if any, and confirmation of availability to participate during Canal Convergence 11/15 - 11/16
Notional Budget - a theoretical budget of what you estimate to produce the project (ex. artist fee, subcontractors, materials, insurance, contingency, etc.)
Artist CV or Professional Resume – include team member resumes if applicable
5-10 Digital Work Samples - include title date, and brief description of how it relates to the proposed project. Video content cannot exceed 3 minutes.
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Open Application: October 13, 2025
Pre-recorded RFP Info session: available Tuesday, 10/21/25
Application Deadline: Friday, October 31, 2025, Noon PST
Artists Selection Announced: 10.31-11.3.25
Pop-up Events: November to December 2025*
Canal Convergence (2 days) November 15-16, 2025
More events to be confirmed
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Please contact Quynh-Mai Nguyen for any questions,
Quynh-Mai@artbuildscommunity.comLearn more about the project and ways to participate:
scottsdalearts.org/explore-scottsdale-arts/public-artFollow the project on social media:
Instagram: @SDLPubArt@ArtBuildsCommunity
Fill out the Survey - Add your feedback as an artist to help develop the 10-year Public Art Plan for the City of Scottsdale