Sculptures for the Downtown San Rafael Arts District

The City of San Rafael invites artists and artist teams to apply to have a sculpture installation featured in the city's Arts District. Downtown San Rafael has been designated one of 14 California Cultural Arts Districts by the California Arts Council (CAC). The city's goal is to enhance the aesthetic and vibrancy of its public spaces by incorporating a diverse and engaging body of public art.

Two opportunities are available: Opportunity A offers one existing large-scale sculpture for a 1-year temporary exhibition from May 2026-May 2027 at City Hall or the Falkirk Cultural Center grounds, with a $5,000 artist stipend. Opportunity B offers one existing or commissioned sculpture for permanent display to be installed in May or June 2026, with an artist stipend up to $41,000. The stipends are inclusive of artist costs including engineering, modifications, transportation, installation/deinstallation labor, insurance, and maintenance. The City will provide rental of heavy equipment for installation/deinstallation (excluding operator), city permits, inspections, fees, and signage at no cost to the artist.

For Opportunity A, sculptures must be appropriate for public open space, encourage viewer engagement, and be ready for placement with only minor modifications. Artworks should be suitable for viewing from all angles, fabricated with durable materials for outdoor display, and safe for public interaction. Kinetic and interactive artworks are desired but not required. For Opportunity B, sculptures should complement the landscape, reflect community spirit, be memorable, and be appropriate for public spaces including vehicle traffic. Artists must submit 3-6 images of existing work or renderings/specs for commissioned work, a statement of interest, resume or CV, and a construction overview addressing durability and public safety. Eligibility is open to artists and artist teams residing in the United States, with preference for those in Marin County and the Greater San Francisco Bay Area. Application deadline: July 25, 2025 at 5:00 PM PT.