Tempe Arts + Culture

Dance in the Parks 2026
Call for Choreographers

Description
The City of Tempe is seeking choreographic works to present at Dance in the Parks as part of the Arts in the Parks event series. Dance in the Parks will travel to 7 Tempe neighborhood parks, featuring 4 choreographic works at each park. Dance companies/collectives/crews will be selected to perform at up to 4 parks. 

Choreographic works may be in any style of dance and can be pre-existing or new. The work should be adapted to present with audiences on all sides and should be enjoyable for all ages and demographics represented in Tempe’s neighborhoods. The showcases will occur in outdoor park settings, either on a basketball court with marley or a small platform stage (30’x20') with marley. Experienced, energetic, and community-focused dance companies/collectives/crews are encouraged to apply. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: The showcases will be featured as part of the Spring Arts in the Parks events, programmed by the Tempe Community Arts team. Commissioned choreographers will work collaboratively with our team, and the events will also incorporate artmaking activities, food trucks, and live music pre-performance.

Arts in the Parks Program Description
The Arts in the Parks Program creates memorable community connections by bringing the arts to neighborhood parks. Arts in the Parks celebrates connectivity between neighbors and exposure of local artists/artforms to those who may not engage with the arts in their regular lives. The program is inspired by residents and reflects the identity and values of the park’s community. www.tempe.gov/ArtsintheParks

Compensation

$100 - $500 per park (up to $2,000)

· This depends on the number of performers in the piece and how many parks the work is selected to present at 

o Free rehearsal space offered based on availability

Choreographic works should be:

· 8-12 minutes in length

· Appropriate for all ages in outdoor park settings

· Suitable for low-tech

· Suitable for daylight or night

· Engaging / Exciting / Impactful

· Accessible (relatable and enjoyable for all community members, including “non-artists” and all ages)

Dance in the Parks Dates: (Choreographers selected for up to 4)

· March 24, 26

· April 7, 15, 22, 29, 30

· May 5, 6, 7

Expectations
 Successful applicants must:

· Prepare and present one 8-12 minute piece at up to four parks within the dates listed above. Event times are from 5:30PM – 7:30PM or 6:00PM – 8:00PM.

· Stay for the community dance party at the end of each event they present in

· Work collaboratively with the Community Arts team by attending up to 2 planning meetings 

• Be fully self-sufficient in transporting, setting up, and storing props/set/costumes for and in-between Arts in the Parks events. (This does not include the stage, sound, or power source).

Qualifications

Artists who meet the following qualifications are encouraged to apply:

· Experience with performing for all ages and engaging with audiences

· Experience with choreographing for outdoor, in-the-round spaces

· Interest in using creative skills in social practice, creative place-making, community engagement

· Reside in Arizona 

· Are available on at least four of the event dates: March 24, 26, April 7, 15, 22, 29, 30, May 5, 6, 7

Pre-Submittal Info Meetings:

We will host a virtual pre-submittal meeting to go over this call in detail, answer your questions and provide tips for applying. The meeting will be held on Friday, Nov 21st from 12pm-1pm. For the link to attend the meeting or to receive the recording, click here.

You may also schedule a one-on-one meeting with Ellen Sickenberger regarding this call by clicking here.

Deadline
 11:59 PM on Thursday, December 4th, 2025

Timeline
 November 21st: Pre-Submittal Meeting: Virtual Info/Q&A Session with Ellen Sickenberger
 December 4th: Application Deadline
 Mid-December: Community Selection Panel
 Mid-December: Artists notified
 Early January: Onboarding Meeting
 Early March: Logistics Meeting
March 24 – May 6: Performances in the Parks (evenings of April 1, 2, 3, 15, 16, 17, 29, 30)

For Questions, Contact:
 Ellen Sickenberger, Community Arts Coordinator
Ellen_Sickenberger@tempe.gov
 (480)316-1389

Call  for Artists: Tempe Center for the Arts 2026 Summer Exhibitions & Artist Residency

Deadline: Friday, Dec 12th  2025, at 4:00 PM

Description

The City of Tempe is seeking applications from Arizona-based artists to apply for three juried opportunities under the umbrella of the Gallery at TCA’s 2026 summer exhibition.

Exhibition Theme

Everything That Grows Here gathers the work of Arizona-based artists who explore the physical, cultural, and emotional ecosystems of the desert. In a place often defined by scarcity, these artists illuminate what thrives—botanically, creatively, and socially. From deep-rooted traditions to spontaneous gestures of survival, the exhibition considers growth as both a biological process and a metaphor for identity, kinship, and transformation. Whether responding to ancestral land, urban encroachment, or cycles of drought and bloom, these works testify to the quiet tenacity required to grow in a place where nothing is promised but sun and time.

The free application includes three opportunities for Arizona Artists 

Artists may apply to multiple opportunities within one application.

1) Display art in the summer exhibition at the Gallery at TCA. 

2) Display art in the satellite exhibition at Tempe Post Office. 

3) Artist Residency Program at the Gallery at TCA.

Opportunity #1:
Art Display at the Gallery at TCA
  May 23 - Aug. 24, 2026

Apply to have your artworks included in a group exhibition throughout the summer at the Gallery at TCA. Special emphasis will be placed on visual art media; however, other art forms may be considered if works provide interesting visuals and/or experiential display potentials for visitors. Importantly, the jury will be asked to pay special attention to artists and artworks of the highest artistry and vision.

 Opportunity #2:
 Satellite Art Display at Tempe Post Office on Mill Avenue
   May 27 - Sept. 22, 2026

For more than 23 years, the City of Tempe has placed unique and eye-catching art installations into store front windows at the Tempe Post Office in the heart of the Mill Avenue District.  

   Four selected artists will be provided with a $325 supply stipend to create installations with the WOW factor! Each selected artist is challenged to construct an “over-the top” 3D environment for new and/or existing works. Each artist is assigned one of the 4 window spaces which are viewable by patrons inside and outside of the Post Office. 

Opportunity #3:
Artist Residency Program at the Gallery at TCA  
  May 23-Jul 18, 2026

   Artists may also consider applying for an artist-in- residence studio experience. Three artists will be selected to participate in an 8 week/ 10 hours a week residency which takes place inside the Gallery at TCA. Artists-in-Residence are eligible for a stipend up to $2,500.

   Selected artists will participate in community programs, professional development sessions and social media while also sharing their art making practices with visitors. Studio spaces include plenty of room for art displays, workspace and storage.
 

 Timeline 

• November 3 Call opens
• December 12 Call closes
• December 15-19 Selection panel
• December 19-22 Selected artists notified
• May 14-15 Gallery artwork drop off
• May 27-28 Post Office installation
• August 24-25 Gallery artwork pick up
• September 22 Post Office deinstallation

How to apply

1. Work Samples 

• 10 images
• Image list: Include titles, media and dimensions for all submitted artwork

2. Artist Statement (max. 500 words)

•  What inspires or motivates your work?
• What central themes, ideas, or questions do you explore?
•  What materials, techniques, or processes do you use?
• Why do you choose these materials or methods?
• How do you want people to experience or interpret your work?
• How does your work connect to larger contexts (culture, history, community, environment, etc.)?
• What do you hope viewers take away from your art?

3. Artist Biography (max. 250 words)

• Where do you currently live and work?
• What education, training, or mentorships have shaped your practice?
• What professional highlights stand out in your career (exhibitions, residencies, commissions, awards, collections)?
• What communities, places, or institutions have you worked with?
• How has your career developed over time?
• What key experiences or milestones best represent your journey as an artist?

4. Resume/CV

If applying to residency program, we will also need contact information for two references and a letter of interest.

 For Questions Contact:

 Dani Godreau, Visual Arts Curator

 Dani_Godreau@tempe.gov 

 (480) 793-1257

Tempe Public Art: Tempe Beach Park Plinth Sculpture Application Deadline: Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 5 pm MST 

Tempe Public Art is accepting qualifications from artists and artist teams in Arizona to create a permanent, site-specific sculpture. The selected artist or artist team will design, fabricate, and install a permanent, three-dimensional, sculptural work located at Tempe Beach Park, directly outside of the bicycle corral on Rio Salado, west of Mill Avenue.    

This opportunity is for one, free-standing work of art to display permanently outdoors. The selected artist or artist team will be asked to create a work of art celebrating the bicycle as a symbol of movement, health, sustainability, and community connection. This artwork will become part of the City’s permanent collection, serving as a landmark while reflecting the community’s commitment to cycling as a means of transit, movement, and connection.   

To be considered, the artwork must fit within the established engineering guidelines for the selected site, be durable, be impervious to weather (unless natural weathering is essential to the concept of the artwork), be low-maintenance, and be suitable in form, material and content for a mixed-age audience. 

DETAILS TO CONSIDER 

• Selected artist(s) will create a sculpture that is bicycle related 
• The artist will be responsible for overseeing design, fabrication and installation of the artwork 
• The selected artist will be responsible for any structural engineering or support costs associated with the design, fabrication, and installation of the artwork 

 PROJECT GOALS 

• Celebrate the bicycle as a symbol of sustainability and connection. 
• Create a visually engaging and durable work that enhances the character of the site. 
• Strengthen the identity of Tempe as a bicycle-friendly place. 
• Ensure the work is safe and maintainable for long-term public enjoyment. 

 SITE INFORMATION         The artwork will be placed on a designated, concrete plinth located at Tempe Beach Park. The plinth is located on the south side of Tempe Town Lake, next to the bike corral at the intersection of Mill and Rio Salado Avenue. The site is visible to vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists along a highly utilized walkway into the park.  The plinth is off the bike path and Metro line along Rio Salado Avenue on the edge of Tempe Beach Park. 

 PLINTH DIMENSIONS 

• Base dimension: The artwork’s base must fit within the designated 36 x 36-inch area.  The artist will be responsible for providing, if necessary, an appropriate base plate to attach to the concrete site with pre-drilled holes aligning with the established attachment points. 
• Height: The artwork must be 7 feet (84 inches) tall or less. The plinth itself has a height of 42 inches, which must be included as part of the overall height of the artwork. 
• Note: “projected area” is a contiguous shadow that can be projected onto a vertical plane. 

THEME AND CONTENT         Selected artist must incorporate or draw inspiration from bicycles and cycling culture to create an original design that is suitable for the area. Artwork placed in public city spaces must be structurally sound and consider the sensitivity of most of the public.    

ELIGIBILITY 

• At least 18 years of age 
• Artist(s) residing in Arizona 
• Able to obtain at least $2M of general liability and damage insurance covering the artwork during transportation, installation and deinstallation 

Artists who are interested in having their artwork considered for inclusion are invited to submit to this opportunity. Open only to artists residing in Arizona. Preference can be given to artists residing in Tempe, and/or artists who identify as O’Odham, Piipash, or Pasqua Yaqui. 

Accepted artists will be required by Arizona State Law HB 2008 to sign a statement verifying that they are lawfully present in the United States. City of Tempe employees, steering committee members, and their immediate family members are excluded from participating in this project.  

ESTIMATED BUDGET         The current budget covering all costs associated with installation, and artist fees is up to $20,000. The project budget must include all costs related to the artist’s project management fees; maintenance, subcontractor and consultant fees General Liability and other insurance required by the City, travel if necessary, and all other costs associated with the art project.     

DEADLINE TO APPLY 

Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 5:00 pm MST 

HOW TO APPLY

The entire submission must be completed on Submittable at https://tempepublicart.submittable.com. All requirements listed below must be met or the application will be removed from consideration. Specific proposals are not requested at this stage in the process and will not be accepted.  NOTE: All written documents (resume, letter, image list) should be saved into a PDF format and uploaded to the Submittable site.  

• Artist resume including exhibition record, publications, and any other professional experience relevant to this commission.
• Letter of Interest (400 words or less): This is a description of how you would approach this opportunity, should you be awarded the commission, and why you are interested in this project. This is your chance to show the selection panel your “why” and “how.” 
• Digital Images: 6-8 images of previously completed work. 
• Image List: (Maximum 2 pages) A separate document with information about your submitted digital images. For each image submitted list the title, date, size, medium and location with a thumbnail of the image. This can include a description of your proposed idea images in terms of materials proposed, height, weight, scale, and any other pertinent information. 

 ARTIST SELECTION PROCESS          

Applications will be pre-screened by City staff to ensure the submissions meet the minimum qualifications as described in the eligibility section. An artist selection panel will review artists’ submissions and select 2-4 finalists. Finalists will be invited to an info session with Tempe staff to go over the final panel process and answer any questions. These finalists will be interviewed by the panel for further consideration. Should it be determined that a proposal is needed at this stage, finalists will be given an honorarium to create proposal concepts. The selection panel is comprised of community stakeholders, arts professionals, and associated city staff. 

The panel will evaluate each proposal for the following criteria:

• Demonstrated ability to create high-quality, engaging artwork.
• Demonstrated ability to complete projects of a similar scope on budget and on time.
• Submission materials demonstrate professionalism and evidence of excellent craftsmanship.

 PRE-SUBMITTAL SESSION        

Tempe Public Art staff will present the project goals, share information about artist expectations as well as the submission and selection process. We strongly encourage anyone interested in this opportunity to attend this session to learn more about the project and ask questions. If you are interested but unable to attend an info session, contact Cat Beaudoin (Public Art Specialist), at catherine_beaudoin@tempe.gov. 

Date of Info Session: Wednesday, December 17th at 11 am MST 

Info Session Registration (REQUIRED IN ADVANCE): 

• Link to Register for Info Session: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/AVBVlJETQ2i36Z0TtwLs9w 
• After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing the Zoom ID and password to join the meeting 

PROJECT TIMELINE         RFQ Released: November 2025 

Pre-Submittal Session: December 17, 2025, at 11 am MST 

Submission Deadline: Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 5 pm MST  

Finalists Notified: February 2026 

Finalist Proposals and Interviews: March 2026 

Artist Selected & Contract Issued: March - April 2026 

Installation: Fall 2026 

Project Completion: Fall 2026

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

Tempe Public Art aspires to cultivate a unique community identity that advances Tempe as a vibrant and progressive destination. Tempe's diverse collection of permanent and temporary public art complements the natural and built environment through innovative place-making, installations and infrastructure enhancements. Tempe Public Art promotes artistic expression, bringing people together to strengthen Tempe's sense of community and place. www.tempe.gov/PublicArt 

Native Land Acknowledgement Statement: 

We acknowledge that Tempe lies in the ancestral land of the Native peoples who have lived here since time immemorial. The ancestral land of the O'odham and Piipaash stretches far beyond the boundaries of our city.  

The landscape is sacred to them, embodying cultural values that are integral to their identity and way of life. The O'odham and Piipaash continue to maintain a deep spiritual connection to this land. We embrace the responsibility of caring for these places and vow to uphold this commitment in all our actions. 

Contact Information: 

For further support, contact the City of Tempe Public Art Program via: Cat Beaudoin, Public Art Specialist, catherine_beaudoin@tempe.gov, 480-858-2201.  

We can provide support if you require any additional information about this project or would like assistance with your application- whether its technical support about Submittable, or clarification regarding content/work samples for your application.  

Staying Informed: 

Artists interested in other public art opportunities can visit the City of Tempe Public Art Program web page: www.tempe.gov/PublicArt 

This Call to Artist does not commit the city to enter into any agreement, to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of the proposal to this request or in subsequent negotiations, or to produce a contract for the project. The city reserves the right to reject any or all applications, reissue the Call to Artist, revise the project terms or procure any service by other means. While all reasonable care will be taken, the city is not responsible for loss of or damage to materials included with applications. 

To submit your final report you must login or create a Submittable account.

Grant-funded Project must be completed by June 30th. The Project’s Final Report must be submitted by July 31st 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. 

the Final Budget Form, as well as additional information can be found at www.tempe.gov/ArtsGrants