Description
The City of Surprise invites professional artists and artist teams to submit qualifications for the design, fabrication, and installation of a permanent public artwork at the new Police Substation located at the northwest corner of 163rd Avenue and W. San Ysidro Road in Surprise, Arizona.
The selected artwork will be integrated into a highly visible exterior boundary wall facing 163rd Avenue and should create a welcoming civic landmark that reflects the values of service, integrity, and justice with request for incorporation of the color blue in the work or lighting. The artwork should complement the architecture of the facility while contributing to the identity of this growing area of the city.
A community selection panel will select up to three (3) finalists to participate in a proposal phase. Finalists will receive an honorarium of $1,500 plus travel and lodging costs to develop conceptual designs, meet with stakeholders, and participate in interviews with the selection panel.
Artwork Budget: $165,000
Deadline: August 31, 2026, 11:59 pm (Arizona Time)
Project Background
The Police Substation will serve as an important civic and neighborhood resource within one of Surprise's rapidly developing corridors. The facility is designed to improve accessibility to public safety services while strengthening relationships between residents and the Police Department.
As part of the City's ongoing commitment to integrating arts and culture into public spaces, this project provides an opportunity to create a meaningful public artwork that celebrates community, promotes a sense of belonging, and reflects the vital role public safety plays in the daily life of residents.
Locations
The artwork opportunity is located on the exterior boundary wall facing 163rd Avenue at the northwest corner of 163rd Avenue and W. San Ysidro Road. The identified section of the wall extends approximately 154 feet in length and 8 feet in height, creating a highly visible public-facing canvas along a major roadway corridor. The artwork, with a maximum height of 6 feet, will be mounted directly to the wall with no more than 3 inches of separation from the wall. The installation may be arranged across multiple sections of the wall, with placement informed by existing site features and landscaping elements.
The site is visible to both vehicular and pedestrian traffic and serves as a gateway feature for the facility and surrounding neighborhood.
Project Goals
This project aligns with the Arts & Culture Division's goals of increasing access to arts and culture opportunities throughout Surprise by:
· Embedding arts and culture into civic facilities and public spaces
· Creating meaningful public art experiences that strengthen community identity
· Supporting collaboration between City departments and creative professionals
· Expanding access to arts and culture in emerging neighborhoods
· Creating public spaces that are welcoming, engaging, and reflective of community values
The selected artwork should:
· Reflect themes surrounding service, integrity, justice, connection, safety, and community pride
· Consider the civic identity and purpose of the Police Substation
· Create a visually engaging landmark
· Respond to the surrounding neighborhood and growing community
· Be durable, maintainable, and appropriate for long-term outdoor installation in the Sonoran Desert climate
Artwork Parameters
Artists may propose artwork that is integrated through attachment to the wall surface: metal artwork with architectural integration preferred. Materials must be durable, low-maintenance, and appropriate for long-term outdoor exposure. Artists are encouraged to consider lighting integration and opportunities for visual impact both during the day and at night.
Budget
The selected artists from the initial Request for Qualifications will be provided with a $1,500 artist fee plus itemized transportation costs (airfare, mileage or transportation services, lodging) to create their designs and respond to community input. The selected artist will receive a contract of approximately $165,000 for the design, fabrication, transportation, engineering, installation, and oversight of the artwork.
The project budget shall include all costs associated with the project, including but not limited to:
· Design development
· Artist fees
· Materials
· Engineering
· Fabrication
· Transportation
· Insurance
· Travel
· Equipment rental
· Installation
Electrical route-in costs will be provided by the city with potential for other site preparation cost coverage.
Review Process & Timeline
Up to three (3) finalists will be selected by a panel consisting of community representatives, Police Department staff/Capital Improvement Project Professional, Arts & Cultural Advisory Commission representatives, and arts professionals.
Applicants will be evaluated based on:
· Quality, creativity, and strength of work samples (25%)
· Demonstrated experience and qualifications for projects of similar scale (25%)
· Ability to engage community and stakeholders during the design process (25%)
· Alignment with project goals and site context (25%)
Anticipated Timeline
Timeline
RFQ Released - Summer 2026
Application Deadline - Summer 2026
Panel Review - Fall 2026
Finalist Proposal Phase - Fall/Winter 2026
Artist Selection - Winter 2026
Design Phase - Winter/Spring 2027
Fabrication - Spring/Summer 2027
Installation - Summer/Fall 2027
How to Apply & Application Checklist
Compile all materials on the checklist and complete the online application at the link below. If you need accommodations or additional support to complete your application, please contact us at least two weeks prior to the application deadline.
Link to online application: cityofsurprise-arts.submittable.com/submit
- Contact information
- Artistic Practice Statement (200 words maximum)
- Tell us about your artwork and creative practice. What materials, themes, and approaches define your work?
- Experience & Qualifications Statement (250 words maximum)
- Describe your experience completing projects of similar scale and complexity. Include information about public art, fabrication, project management, and collaboration with public agencies or project teams.
- Community Engagement Statement (200 words maximum)
- How have you successfully engaged community members, incorporated stakeholder input, or reflected cultural and civic context in your work?
- Five past work samples and information
- File formats accepted: Images (.jpg or .png), Video (.mov or .mp4) – video should not exceed two minutes, only first two minutes will be viewed if time is exceeded
Contact
Danica Marlin, Art in Public Places Coordinator Danica.Marlin@surpriseaz.gov | 480.714.3899 SurpriseArts.com
Surprise Arts invites West Valley artists to submit qualifications for a unique, nature-focused sidewalk chalk art mural that will be a feature of the second annual Roots of Creation: Arts and Nature Festival on January 30, 2027. Selected artists will be invited to create a chalk mural on the sidewalk during the festival. Selected artists will be awarded a stipend, supplies and materials. All submissions must be family friendly and relate to the theme of nature.
Artists will be evaluated based on:
- Quality of past work samples
- Clear use of color and line
- Connection to theme: "nature"
Important Details:
- Call opens: 07/01/2026 at 12:00 a.m. MST
- Deadline: 08/30/2026 at 11:59 p.m. MST
- Artist Stipend: $200 plus supplies and materials.
Read the full call here: Request for Qualifications: Roots of Creation Chalk Art Muralists 2027
____________________________________________________
Thanks for sharing your work with us!
We appreciate the time you put into your submission. Please review the expectations and eligibility below before submitting:
- This is a qualifications-based application open to West Valley Arizona-based Artists only.
- Do not submit proposals. Only submit work samples of completed works.
- Submissions must be clear and complete. incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
- Work samples should reflect your strongest, most relevant projects. Project detail (title, location, date, materials, scale and client or commissioning agency) should be included for each work sample.
- AI-generated images are not permitted in submitted work samples or final artwork.
- Selected artists will be notified via email.
See you in the submissions!
— Surprise Arts
Surprise Arts invites Surprise-based Student Art Clubs and/or Science Clubs to submit ideas 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 concepts will be featured at the Roots of Creation: Arts and Nature Festival on January 30, 2027. 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!
Important Details:
- Call opens: 07/01/2026 at 12:00 a.m. MST
- Deadline: 09/01/2026 at 11:59 p.m. MST
- Artist Stipend: $500
Read the full call here: Request for Proposals: Recycled Student Sculptures
____________________________________________________
Thanks for sharing your work with us!
We appreciate the time you put into your submission. Please review the expectations and eligibility below before submitting:
- This is a qualifications-based application open to West Valley Arizona-based artists, teachers, and club organizers only.
- Clubs and projects must be located and completed within Surprise's city limits.
- One submission per club.
- Clubs must identify an Adult Lead Coordinator for the project. This can be a teacher, artist or club organizer.
- Do not submit completed works. Only submit ideas, vision boards, and/or concepts.
- Submissions must be clear and complete. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
- Work samples should reflect your concept, intention, and vision of your proposed idea.
- AI-generated images are not permitted in submitted work samples or final artwork.
- Selected artists will be notified via email.
See you in the submissions!
— Surprise Arts
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.