Project Summary:
Scottsdale Public Art is accepting qualifications from artists for a permanent public art opportunity for the Fire Station 604 project in Scottsdale, Arizona. The City of Scottsdale is building a new fire station to replace the 1988 facility, which will add a larger apparatus bay, safety gear storage, crew quarters, and a decontamination area. Scottsdale Public Art seeks to contract an artist to design, fabricate, and install artistic features at the fire station, located at 9045 East Via Linda. The final selected artist will receive $80,000 for the realization of the art.
Applications are due by Monday, August 14, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. MST (AZ).
Public Art Scope and Eligibility:
The selected artist will design, engineer, fabricate, and install permanent exterior artwork at the front of the new fire station. Artists experienced in large-scale metal, sculpture, and/or mixed media are encouraged to apply. Painted murals are not appropriate for this project. The selected artist will work with the project team to narrow the location based on the artist’s experience.
When developing their design, the artist will work closely with the overall project design team and consider the history and future of Fire Station 604 and its firefighters. Community and stakeholder engagement will be required throughout this project, in coordination with Scottsdale Arts and the City of Scottsdale.
Artists living and working in Arizona, with experience designing, fabricating, and installing projects with a similar budget and scope are encouraged to apply. Scottsdale Public Art supports diversity and inclusion in all public art calls.
Any work at the site that requires a contractor or design professional, except for the artist selected, must be completed by a contractor or design professional licensed in the state of Arizona.
Selection Process:
Artists are selected by an artist selection panel through an equitable process. New artist selection panels are created for every project. The selection panel may include art professionals, artists, community members, a Scottsdale Public Art Advisory Board member, and project stakeholders. Scottsdale Public Art staff members facilitate the selection panel process but are not voting members. Other non-voting members may include City of Scottsdale staff, consultants, and/or stakeholders of the larger project. These non-voting members are present to assist with the process and address any questions related to the project as a whole.
An artist selection panel will evaluate all submissions and identify finalists. Up to three finalists will be selected and paid a $300.00 USD stipend to do a virtual presentation of previous work and an interview. Following the interviews, one artist and one alternate will be selected for the project. The final selected artist will create a permanent art installation at the site. A proposal is not required from finalists. Selection criteria include:
- Artistic merit, as demonstrated by submitted materials
- Demonstrated ability to create engaging, skillfully executed, and thought-provoking artwork.
- Demonstrated potential to complete projects of a similar scope.
- Willingness and ability to collaborate with community members, stakeholders, and project teams.
- Interest in incorporating community voices into the design process, when applicable.
The selection panel will recommend the final selected artist for approval by the Scottsdale Public Art Advisory Board. Throughout the project, the Advisory Board approves art concepts and the project scope and budget, allowing the artist creative license within the established project plan. The contract and project plan are to be negotiated with Scottsdale Public Art. The Advisory Board reserves the right to reject any or all applications.
Timeline:
Subject to change based on project schedule:
- Monday, September 14, 2026 — Deadline for response to RFQ at 11:59 p.m. MST (AZ)
- September–December 2026 — Artist selection, finalist interviews, final artist recommendation, Advisory Board approval
- December 2026/January 2027 — Contract development
- January–May 2027 — Community engagement, design development, and design approvals
- Summer/Fall 2027 — Fabrication
- Winter 2027 — Site prep and installation
- Spring 2028 — Project completion
Submission Requirements:
Digital Images: Up to six images of previously completed artwork with project details (artwork title, medium, date completed, budget, location, and brief description).
Résumé or CV: Current professional résumé or curriculum vitae (CV), including artist address, email, and phone number. Teams must submit one résumé/CV per team member.
References: Two professional references for applicant(s).
Short Statement of Intent or Artist Statement: Address how the applicant’s previous experience and current artistic direction will result in a successful public art project (250 words or less).
Application Delivery:
Applications are being accepted via the Submittable.com website. Proposals are not requested at this stage in the process. All materials submitted will be used by Scottsdale Public Art throughout the duration of the artist selection process.
