Artist Designed Shade Screens for Transit Shelters

The Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture's Public Art Program is requesting qualifications from professional artists to design perforated steel shade screens for multiple City of Phoenix bus shelters. The enhanced shade screens will be incorporated into bus shelters to improve the experience of transit users and promote a more walkable street. The project, partly supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, is expected to be combined with improved landscaping that increases shade and reduces urban heat. These goals are part of ongoing City efforts to become a HeatReady city and create a connected oasis of beautiful, walkable streets and public spaces. The artist-designed shade screens will be expected to promote distinctive community identities and expand the Public Art Program's award-winning series of artist-designed shade structures.

This opportunity is open to professional 2D artists including painters, printmakers, muralists, graphic designers, weavers, and fabric artists. Arizona artists are strongly encouraged to apply. No previous public art experience is required. City of Phoenix employees, Phoenix Arts and Culture Commissioners and their immediate family members, and selection panelists and their immediate families are excluded from participating. Applications from artists' representatives, managers, or galleries will not be accepted.

The selected artist(s) will work with City departments and the community to create designs for perforated steel shade screens that promote distinctive neighborhood identities. During the planning and design phase, artists will be expected to review and revise design concepts with the City to ensure the art meets safety and site-specific requirements. If the design is completed successfully, the artist(s) may be contracted separately to participate in the project's construction oversight and completion. The estimated budget for designing the transit shelter shade screens is not expected to exceed $10,000, which should cover the artist design fee and all costs associated with the design process. There is no fee to apply. Submissions are accepted via CaFE at www.callforentry.org. Applicants must submit a statement of intent (1000-character limit), resume or CV (3-page limit per artist), an image list (1-page limit), and up to 6 digital images of previously created artwork in jpg format. The selection panel will review all applicants as a blind jury; applicants must not include their name or identifying information in image captions, on images, or in their statement of intent.