Surprise Arts invites applications from performing artists and performing arts organizations to be featured in the Best of the West Fest, a new performing arts celebration presented by Surprise Arts, dedicated to amplifying the voices, stories, and talents of local West Valley performing artists. The festival aims to celebrate, support, and elevate professional-quality performing arts that represent the creative identity of the West Valley community, and to create shared cultural experiences that inspire community connection through performance. The inaugural Fall 2027 festival will aim to showcase a diverse lineup of performances and genres — including music, dance, theater, spoken word, puppetry, and comedy—presented at the Vista Center for the Arts in Surprise, AZ.
Deadline to Apply: November 1, 2026 @ 11:59 p.m. (AZ Time)
Application Requirements
A complete application must include the following:
- Live Performance Videos Provide links to two (2) live video performances
- Video Descriptions For each video share information about the project being shown. Who was involved, how was it created, what was it about, how does it relate to what you would do a Best of the West Fest
- Artist/Group Bio (up to 250 words)
- Performance Description (overview of concept, duration, and genre – up to 250 words)
- Website and/or Social Media Links
- Proposed Budget and Fee Structure Applicants must include a proposed performance budget, they may propose up to three budget options aligned with production scope (e.g., solo = $200 or full-ensemble configuration=$2000)
Surprise Arts invites musicians, musical groups, and music organizations to submit qualifications for inclusion on a prequalified roster for Surprise Arts events. This roster will be shared publicly as a database and resource, and will be used by Surprise Arts staff to identify qualified performers for a variety of events, including but not limited to:
- Community festivals and celebrations
- Concert series and performances in public space
- Civic and ceremonial events
- Family-friendly and all ages programming
Deadline: Rolling deadline - First review of applications will be in May 3, 2026
Expectations & Eligibility
This opportunity is open to solo musicians, musical groups, and music organizations working in all genres and performance formats who:
- are based in Arizona
- have experience performing live for public audiences
- are able to provide content appropriate for family-friendly and public settings
- demonstrate professionalism, reliability, and readiness to perform at City events
Application Checklist
- Artist or Group Name
- Primary Contact Information
- Website/Social Media Links
- Musical Genre(s)
- Performance format(s) (solo, duo, 5-piece band, etc.)
- Typical Performance length options
- Rate range
- Bio (max. 150 words)
- List of recent performance engagements (past 3 years only)
- Links to two different LIVE video performance samples
- 3 High-quality marketing photos
- Stage plot(s) (PDF Upload)
- Additional technical requirements or enhanced production element options
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.
Award Amount: $1000 Deadline: Monday, March 23, 2025 @ 11:59pm (MST)
View full application guidelines
The City of Surprise invites West Valley-based artists to submit qualifications to create 2D art designs for traffic cabinets on 163rd Ave. Artists will transform traffic signal control cabinets in Surprise from functional infrastructure to colorful works of art inspired by family and community. Up to 7 artists will be selected. The artist fee is $1,000 for design and community engagement; the printing and installation costs will be covered by the city. All artwork designs must be converted to a high-quality digital format for vinyl wrap printing.