Pima County Northwest Service Center - Public Art RFQ

Pima County, in collaboration with the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA), is seeking a qualified Public Artist or Artist Team for a public art commission through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process. This is a request for qualifications only; do not submit proposals for artwork at this time.

The Northwest Service Center, opening to the public in May 2025, is a new civic facility serving as a centralized hub for health, housing, and workforce services in a medically underserved and socioeconomically disadvantaged area of Pima County. The commissioned artwork should draw inspiration from the facility's mission and values, reflecting themes such as health, dignity, opportunity, resilience, and hope. Artists are encouraged to interpret these concepts broadly through abstract or representational approaches. The artwork will be located at the exterior of the facility and must be secure enough to prevent theft on a site without a perimeter fence, requiring secure attachment and materials with low scrap value. Murals will not be considered; sculptural or three-dimensional artwork that responds to the site's context, form, and function is preferred. The artwork should enhance the building's contemporary architectural design and contribute to a welcoming, professional, and community-focused environment.

The all-inclusive budget is $175,000 and must cover design, materials, production, transportation, installation, permits, taxes, insurance, soil analysis, engineering, and mounting. The application deadline is July 9, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time. Work sample requirements: minimum 6 images, maximum 10 images; 0-5 videos; 6-15 total samples. The selected Artist/Artist Team will work collaboratively with Pima County, SAACA, and a seven-person Public Art Panel during the design phase (September 2025 to May 2026), with production and installation estimated from June 2026 to June 2027. Contact: [email protected].