The Tempe Arts & Culture Division develops and manages the city's arts and culture programs and services. The City is dedicated to enriching the lives of the local and extended community by providing life-long engagement through accessible cultural, social, and educational experiences. The links below lead to Tempe Arts & Culture programs to help you discover and enjoy a variety of creative and cultural experiences. See a show, take a class, tour a building, peruse an exhibit… there’s much to see and do in Tempe!
For information about the Tempe Public Art program visit: www.tempe.gov/PublicArt
For information about Art Grants visit: www.tempe.gov/artsgrants
For information about Galleries and Performing Arts visit: www.tempecenterforthearts.com
To submit your final report you must login or create a Submittable account
Within 60 days of completing the project, a Final Report must be submitted to the City of Tempe. The report will require you to share the outcomes of your project as well images and/or video documentation of your programming. Applicants who fail to complete final reports on time will not be eligible for future arts grants funding from the City of Tempe.
Pursuant to the Grant’s terms and conditions, the City of Tempe has the rights to use any materials submitted in the Final Report for data collection and promotional purposes.
Tempe Community Arts – Next Wave Grant offers up to $2,500 to support early-stage, small-scale arts and culture projects in Tempe. It’s designed for newer nonprofits, small creative businesses (LLCs) and first-time applicants looking to spark innovative ideas, elevate fresh voices and explore bold approaches that energize the city’s cultural future. This grant invests in what’s next—creative efforts that build connection, access and vibrancy at the grassroots level.
Amount: Up to $2,500 – no match required
Deadlines: July 1, 2025
All applicants are required to meet with Maja Aurora, Community Arts Manager, before applying. Click here to find a time.
Expectations & Eligibility:
- Project must take place in Tempe between September 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026.
- Requests may include creatives, artists fees, contracted services, production costs, venue rentals, supplies, permit fees, event insurance, food and marketing expenses.
- Must be Non-Profit organization or an LLC providing arts programming in Tempe.
- Only eligible to receive one Tempe Community Arts Grant per year (September-June).
Restrictions – this grant does not fund:
- Activities that occur outside of the City of Tempe.
- Projects that are only virtual or streamed via the web.
- Production or commission of public art (i.e. murals); permanent enhancements to infrastructure or facilities, capital investments (equipment that outlast the duration of the project).
- Fundraising, re-granting, scholarship programs or awards.
- Schools or projects with schools (see Arts in Schools Grant); parent-teacher organizations (i.e. booster clubs, PTA or PTO).
- TCA home/resident companies; projects funded by a TCC Grant or a Neighborhood Grant; reduction of debt, feasibilities studies.
- Universities, colleges and auxiliary/affiliate organizations.
- Organizations that are incorporated for religious purposes or projects that focus on religious themes.
- Grant administration, overhead or processing fees taken by an umbrella/parent organization as a percentage of the total award, fiscal agents/sponsors.
- Staff salaries that are for work outside the scope of the proposed project.
- Closed subscription or membership programming.
- An applicant who failed to submit a Final Report, complete a project, or return unused funds from a previously funded grant.
Review Process: Applications will be reviewed by an independent community review panel comprised of Tempe residents, cultural leaders and organizers, artists and representatives from the Tempe Arts and Culture Commission. The review process is competitive and based on available funds, therefore, some applications may receive partial or no funding. The panel will recommend awards to the Community Services Director for final approval. Grant Award Notification will take place by August 15, 2025.
Final Report: Must be submitted by June 30, 2026, to be eligible for future grant funding by the City of Tempe. The report will include a summary of the project, attendance and demographic data of participants, a final budget report and professional quality photos of the project. The grant recipient agrees to give the City of Tempe the rights to use any materials submitted in the Final Report for data collection and promotional purposes.
Tempe Community Arts – Creative Current Grant provides up to $10,000 for established nonprofit organizations that deliver consistent, high-quality arts programming and drive Tempe’s cultural momentum. These organizations play a key role in building community, strengthening public life and shaping Tempe as a dynamic and inclusive city. This grant supports the steady force behind the arts in Tempe—nonprofits that keep the creative current flowing.
Amount: Up to $10,000 – no match required.
Deadline: July 1, 2025
All applicants are required to meet with Maja Aurora, Community Arts Manager, before applying. Click here to find a time.
Expectations & Eligibility:
- Project must take place in Tempe between September 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026.
- Requests may include creatives, artists fees, contracted services, production costs, venue rentals, supplies, permit fees, event insurance, food and marketing expenses.
- Must be 501(c)(3) Non-Profit organizations providing arts programming in Tempe.
- Only eligible to receive one Tempe Community Arts Grant per year (September-June).
Restrictions – this grant does not fund:
- Activities that occur outside of the City of Tempe.
- Projects that are only virtual or streamed via the web.
- Production or commission of public art (i.e. murals); permanent enhancements to infrastructure or facilities, capital investments (equipment that outlast the duration of the project).
- Fundraising, re-granting, scholarship programs or awards.
- Schools or projects with schools (see Arts in Schools Grant); parent-teacher organizations (i.e. booster clubs, PTA or PTO).
- TCA home/resident companies; projects funded by a TCC Grant or a Neighborhood Grant; reduction of debt, feasibilities studies.
- Universities, colleges and auxiliary/affiliate organizations.
- For-profit organizations, organizations that are incorporated for religious purposes or projects that focus on religious themes.
- Grant administration, overhead or processing fees taken by an umbrella/parent organization as a percentage of the total award, fiscal agents/sponsors.
- Staff salaries that are for work outside the scope of the proposed project.
- Closed subscription or membership programming.
- An applicant who failed to submit a Final Report, complete a project, or return unused funds from a previously funded grant.
Review Process: Applications will be reviewed by an independent community review panel comprised of Tempe residents, cultural leaders and organizers, artists and representatives from the Tempe Arts and Culture Commission. The review process is competitive and based on available funds, therefore, some applications may receive partial or no funding. The panel will recommend awards to the Community Services Director for final approval. Grant Award Notification will take place by August 15, 2025.
Final Report: Must be submitted by June 30, 2026, to be eligible for future grant funding by the City of Tempe. The report will include a summary of the project, attendance and demographic data of participants, a final budget report and professional quality photos of the project. The grant recipient agrees to give the City of Tempe the rights to use any materials submitted in the Final Report for data collection and promotional purposes.
Deadline
Thursday, July 31st 2025, at 5:00 PM
Description
The City of Tempe invites skilled local designers or artists to submit qualifications to create an eye-catching T-shirt design for our highly anticipated Tempe Jam event. The selected artist will be asked to create designs that draw inspiration from the local music scene and the event's iconic imagery of astronauts. The final design will be printed on commemorative T-shirts which will be given away for free to hundreds of event attendees.
The selected artist will be expected to participate in up to four design progress/revision meetings as well as the Tempe Jam event itself, on the evening of Saturday, November 8th.
Artists who have an active visual art practice as well as digital design skills are encouraged to apply. Artists who submit for this opportunity may be considered for other design related projects. Applications will be kept on file for use in the event of short turn around art commission opportunities.
Click here to see the 2023 design by Kelsey Phillips.
Click here to see the 2024 design by Champ Styles.
Tempe Jam Event Description
Tempe Jam is a free City of Tempe Community Arts event that honors and highlights local bands and musicians who live, work, or play in Tempe. This annual music celebration also features art activities, performances, food trucks, and a beer garden. The fifth annual iteration of the Tempe Jam will happen in Fall 2025 at the Tempe Sports Complex (8401 S. Hardy Drive.) The Tempe Jam highlights a selection of bands from our 2025-2027 Tempe Playlist Program, which offers professional development resources to local bands and musicians.
Compensation: $750 for the final design.
Qualifications
Artists who meet the following qualifications are encouraged to apply:
- Active visual art practice
- Skills in digital art: creating vector files, incorporating text and implementing revisions
- Reside in the metro-Phoenix area: Maricopa County and Pinal County
- Will be available the evening of Saturday, November 8th 2025.
Timeline
- June 9th - Call opens
- July 31st - Call closes at 5PM
- Beginning of Aug– Artist selected and notified.
- Aug– Sept – Progress/Revision Meetings
- Mid-Sept – Final design due
- Nov 8th – Tempe Jam event
How to apply
Work Samples
8 images
- We are looking to see a portfolio of your past work and not requiring a completed T-shirt design for this RFQ.
- At least half of the work samples must be created digitally
For Questions Contact:
Dani Godreau, Community Arts Coordinator
Dani_Godreau@tempe.gov
(480) 793-1257
Schedule a one-on-one meeting regarding this call here.