The City of Surprise invites Surprise-based Student Art Clubs and/or Science Clubs to submit proposals for free-standing sculptures created from recycled materials. Club Leaders, educators, and/or artists who work/volunteer directly with local student organizations are encouraged to apply.
Selected proposals will be featured at the Roots of Creation: Arts and Nature Festival on January 24th, 2026. Clubs who are interested in participating will be awarded a stiped that can be used for materials, artist fees, transportation, and wages. All submissions must be family friendly and relate to the theme of nature and/or recycling. The recycled student sculptures will be a highlight of our festival - we're looking forward to your submissions and participation!
Stipend Amount: $500
Deadline to Apply: 10/19/2025
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IMPORTANT DATES:
Call opens: 08/19/2025
Proposal due: 10/19/2025
Final design plan submitted by:12/01/2025
Install/deinstall: 01/24/2026 (Install 8:00am-11:00am; deinstall: 4:00pm)
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Eligibility: One proposal per club. Clubs and projects must be located and completed within Surprise's city limits. Clubs must identify an adult lead coordinator for the project that could be a teacher, artist, or club organizer.
Initial Proposal: Submit an initial project proposal for review. This should include details describing the idea, reference images, and/or sketches and designs of the proposed sculpture. [Due 10/19/2025]
Selection Process: Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of community members based on the criteria of feasibility, clarity of concept, connection to theme, and creativity.
Notification: Selected applicants will be notified via email once reviewed.
Sculpture drop-off: Drop-off is scheduled for the morning of the event date, January 24th, 2026(8:00am). Adult lead coordinators are responsible for drop-off, install, and deinstall of their sculptures. Installation will be at selected locations throughout the festival.
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Questions? Contact Us
Alexandra Giambalvo, Arts & Culture Assistant
Alexandra.Giambalvo@surpriseaz.gov
The final report will require the following information regarding your program, please gather data accordingly to prepare for your final report:
- How many total people were served by this grant?
- How many Surprise residents were served by this grant?
- How does your organization define success?
- What data did you collect to evaluate your success?
- What did you learn from the results of your data collection?
- Budget that shows specifically what grant funds were used towards
- Description of how grant funds were used
- What impact did city funding have on your programs and services in Surprise?
- Upload 5 professional quality images
*Grantee must authorize the City to use any and all images found in the Final Report for the Project, as well as the Final Report itself, for any lawful purpose that the City deems fit.
The City of Surprise invites West Valley artists to develop a unique, nature-focused sidewalk chalk art mural for the inaugural Roots of Creation: Arts and Nature Festival on January 24th, 2026. Selected artists will be invited to create a chalk mural on the sidewalk during the festival. Selected artists will be awarded a stiped + supplies and materials. All submissions must be family friendly and relate to the theme of nature.
Stipend Amount: $200 | Deadline to Apply: 9/30/2025
Online Application Link: www.cityofsurprise-arts.submittable.com/submit
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IMPORTANT DATES (subject to change):
Call opens: 08/19/2025
Call closes: 9/30/2025
Panel selection: 10/10/2025
IF SELECTED:
Onboarding: 10/15/2025
Design proposal due: 12/01/2025
Final design plan submitted by: 12/01/2025
Install: 01/24/2026; 8:00am-3:00pm
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Eligibility: Open to West Valley 2D artists (defined as West of the I-17 in the Metro Phoenix Region)
Selection Process: Applications will be reviewed by a panel of community members based on the following criteria: 1) quality of past work samples, 2) creativity and clarity of artistry, and 3) connection to program theme.
Notification: Selected applicants will be notified via email once reviewed.
Design Proposal: Selected artists are required to attend an onboarding meeting, and must submit a proposal for review and approval prior to the event. Artists will be encouraged to utilize inspiration from nature-based poetry for their design inspiration. Your artwork must be your own original concept and not a copy of anyone else’s copyrighted material. You may only submit your own artwork that you personally created.
Installation: Mural installation is scheduled for the morning of the event, January 24th, 2026. Selected artists can arrive onsite as early as 8:00am to begin their chalk art mural.
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Questions? Contact:
Alexandra Giambalvo, Arts & Culture Assistant
Alexandra.Giambalvo@surpriseaz.gov