Tempe Arts + Culture

Tempe Playlist 

Call to Musicians
 

Musicians who live, work, or play in Tempe are invited to apply for the opportunity to be included on the next edition of Tempe Playlist; a local collection of musicians that captures the talents and sounds of the Valley. The playlist will function as a pre-qualified list of musicians who are eligible to perform at various Community Arts events, including the Arts in the Parks series, the Free Art Friday series and Tempe Jam. 

Selected songs will be compiled into a digital playlist that will be available on Spotify and marketed throughout the Valley for two years. Musicians must submit two original songs recorded within the last 5 years for consideration. 

Who can apply:
We are looking for musicians, bands, singers and producers/DJs who live in the Valley and are experienced in live performances and have original music. 

• Preference will be given to musicians with strong connection to Tempe.
• If there are multiple people in a group, all members must live in the Valley (Metro Phoenix Area) and be able to travel to Tempe.
• If an artist is in several groups, they may apply with multiple groups. 
• Two recent songs (recorded within the last 5 years) must be submitted per individual/group. 
• Submitted songs must be original tracks, and musicians must own the copyright to their music.

 City of Tempe employees or board or commission members are not eligible to apply.

 
Deadline:
Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at midnight (11:59 PM) 

 
Benefits:
Selected artists will

• Be placed on a physically and digitally published prequalified booking list that will be sent to other city departments, booking agents and venues throughout the Valley 
• Have one of their original songs added to the Tempe Playlist on Spotify
• Be promoted on our City’s website, social media and email lists
• Receive personalized marketing materials

 Community Arts exclusively pulls from this list to hire musicians for our 25 events throughout the year.

 This list will serve the community and beyond by connecting musicians with event organizers, local businesses, and other city departments.

Questions? Contact: 

Ellen_Sickenberger@tempe.gov

Dani_Godreau@tempe.gov

Selection process:
A selection committee will review all submissions and select songs for the playlist based on the guidelines, available space on playlist, connection to the community and unique creativity. The committee is comprised of community stakeholders, a member of the Tempe Arts and Culture Commission, musicians, and City staff from Arts & Culture. 

About City of Tempe Community Arts:
The City of Tempe’s Community Arts team develops initiatives that foster relationships and enhance connections within the arts, community and city through collaborations with local school districts and beyond; it offers opportunities for students and local artists to have a public platform for their artwork, assisting them in current or future careers in the arts. Tempe Community Arts also offers visual art classes at Edna Vihel Arts Center, community events such as Arts in the Parks and Free Art Friday, and additional school programs such as the Studio Artists Program. 

Each year, Tempe Community Arts partners with the Tempe Union High School District to connect students with local arts professionals through the Art Tempe, Dance Tempe and Music Under the Stars programs.

During the 2023-2024 school year, Arts in Schools Grants funded 42 fine arts programs in 25 Tempe Schools. 

For 2023-2024, Tempe Community Arts awarded 43 Wavemaker and Vibrant City Arts Grants to nonprofit organizations and artists collectives that present arts and culture programming in Tempe.

To support freelance musicians in the Valley, Tempe Playlist is a program designed to spread awareness about bands and individual artists who live, work or play in Tempe. Listen to the 44 original songs on Spotify.

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.