Scottsdale Public Art - Arizona Canal Front Festivals

Scottsdale Public Art seeks existing work and new concepts for performance, temporary installations, sculpture, and audience interactive work addressing water in and around the Arizona Canal waterfront. The commissioned artwork must address some aspect of water, including its architectural form, function as a power and water utility corridor, and history as a lifeline for humans in the Sonoran desert. Artwork in and around the water is defined as floating, hovering, releasing, revealing, and/or emerging. The artwork may be physically anchored to the canal banks or bridges or may be a scheduled moment in time. Salt River Project (SRP) must approve all artist designs.

This prospectus covers up to three events. Competitive proposals should communicate general intents and ideas on how an installation can function along the Scottsdale Waterfront and appropriately tell the story of water and community in Scottsdale and the Sonoran desert. Selected proposals will be developed in close coordination with Scottsdale Public Art. Compensation for selected proposals will be made on a case-by-case basis. A limited amount of honorariums are available to compensate artists for proposals.

Canal Lights (November 10-11, 2012): Temporary installations, performance art, light installations and spectacle/action from Soleri Bridge and Plaza to the Marshall Way Bridge activating both sides of the Arizona Canal. Works could include releases into the water, light or video installations using the water. Desired theme should relate to water and human interaction, sustainable water sources for the desert environment, laws of nature, and the intersection of contemporary art and human existence in the desert city. This is a family-friendly event with day and night-time elements.

SRP Canal Dry-up (January – March, 2013): During SRP's maintenance period when the canal is drained, artists are asked to create temporary installations and performance pieces highlighting the fish herding and maintenance work. Artists may use light on the canals and create art that can float as water is reintroduced after maintenance.

Annual Spring Equinox Event (March 16/17 or 23/24, 2013): Scottsdale Public Art requests temporary and installation works to support a commissioned performance piece and to focus on water, the spring equinox, and human connection to the natural environment. Artists are asked to celebrate the Sonoran desert in original and interactive ways with viewers including residents and visitors.

Canal specifications: 63' wall to wall width, 7' water depth, approximately 3-5 feet per second water velocity. Fishing allowed with Arizona State fishing license. No swimming or boating. All artwork must be non-toxic, non-damaging to the site, and removable. Anything put in the water must come out. More than 1" water elevation displacement is not allowed. Canal banks must allow access by SRP vehicles and recreational users. Contact: Donna Isaac, [email protected], 480.874.4670.