Call to Artists: Request for Qualifications (RFQ) | Public Art at Pinnacle Peak Safety Facility 

Total Project Budget: $225,000 

Applications are due by Monday, December 15, 2025, at 11:59P.M. MST (AZ)

OVERVIEW:

The Peoria Arts & Culture Department invites artists and/or artist teams to submit qualifications to be considered for a permanent public art opportunity located at Pinnacle Peak Safety Facility 23100 N. Lake Pleasant Parkway in Peoria, Arizona. The final selected artist(s) will create a permanent art installation at the site. Artists living in and eligible to work in the United States, who have experience designing, fabricating, and installing projects with a similar budget and scope, are encouraged to apply.

ABOUT THE SAFETY FACILITY:

Opened in 2017, this 17,000-square-foot safety facility is part of an established campus that also houses patrol services, administration, training rooms, and community space. The facility includes a processing area, holding cells, evidence processing, interview rooms, tactical training, officer workspaces, briefing areas, a canine unit, fuel island, secure parking, and exterior break areas. The facility achieved LEED Gold Certification, fueling efforts towards a more sustainable future. The Peoria City Council’s Strategic Priority of “Public Safety” included investing in the safety of our first responders and community members. Now at Pinnacle Peak, the Peoria Police Real-Time Crime Center allows Peoria Police and Fire-Medical to access video footage from throughout the city to monitor real-time emergencies and events, investigations, community policing, and crime prevention.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The selection committee is looking for a unique, one-of-a-kind, public art installation that is appropriate for placement in the public plaza leading up to the main entrance of the public safety facility. To ensure visibility from the roadway, the installation must be designed with appropriate scale, proportion, and illumination for both daytime and nighttime viewing. The incorporation of lighted elements within the artwork is greatly desired. The theme of the artwork does not need to be directly connected to public safety functions and imagery, but such connections will be equally considered in selection.
 

 The goals for the project include:

• Creating a unique visual component which complements the building’s aesthetics

• Increasing public awareness of art as part of daily life

• Broadening visitors’ perspectives of public spaces within the City of Peoria

The City of Peoria seeks the following:

• Artists with prior public art experience, specifically large-scale sculptural work in outdoor settings with extreme temperatures (up to 120 degrees in summer), demonstrating durability and sustainability in relation to environmental exposure.

• Artists who are willing to accept the project with the $225,000 commission which will cover all services from design through final installation, including artist fee, fabrication, insurance, transportation, travel fees, equipment, installation, and conservation fee.

• The selected artist or artist team will be expected to work with the community, City staff, and stakeholders to design the final artwork.

Final selection of one artist or artist team will be made by the Public Art Advisory Panel and the Peoria Arts and Culture Commission based on qualifications and the proposal.
 

Stakeholder comments:

Members of the Public Safety team were polled about their thoughts on public art for this location. When asked for words or phrases that embodied a theme, their responses included:

• Pride in Community and Country

• A Salute for Honor and Public Service

• Prompting Joy

WHAT TO EXPECT WITH THIS PROJECT:

The final selected work of art should:

• Be an original, site-specific artwork that enhances the public space, establishes a strong sense of place, and attracts and welcomes visitors to the outdoor location

• Be engaging and aesthetically pleasing to individuals of all ages and backgrounds

• Be fabricated from durable materials that withstand outdoor elements and require minimal ongoing maintenance

• Incorporate input from stakeholders and the Peoria community

• Strive for sustainability by prioritizing natural materials and solar-powered lighting

BUDGET:

The total budget for this Public Art project is not to exceed $225,000. The selected artist or artist team will first receive a $25,000 design contract to develop site-integrated artwork and begin community engagement. If the design proposal is accepted, a subsequent contract of $175,000 will be issued for fabrication and installation. An additional $25,000 will be reserved by the City for administrative, conservation, and other related project costs.

All proposals from selected artists or artist teams will be subject to an extensive approval process, which may involve revisions or modifications through the City’s Public Art Program and contract requirements. Please consider the required approval process and contractual obligations when submitting qualifications. The process, fees, and services are subject to negotiation based on proposed deliverables and must align with the city’s standards for public stewardship and all required City processes.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

This Call for Artists is a Request for Qualifications open to established professional artists residing in and eligible to work in the United States, including invited applicants. Artists or artist teams will be evaluated on a 100-point scale and must submit the following materials: 

1. Statement of Interest and Artist Resume/CV [Rating criteria: 30 points]

• Description of the artist or artist team’s interest in the project including the proposed approach, style of artwork, and relevant experience and background that qualifies you for this project. It is recommended that your statement includes an answer to the following question: “What draws you to this project?”

• A resume or CV (for each team member, when applicable) demonstrating relevant work experience and training. Please include a list of public art projects conducted in the public sector. 

2. Artist Portfolio [Rating criteria: 35 points]

• A minimum of six (6) and up to ten (10) samples of past work, including documentation of two or more public art commissions exceeding $100,000 per project.

• An annotated image list stating the title of the piece, commissioning body, project budget, date, medium, and dimensions. 

3. Prior Experience Working within the Public Sector [Rating criteria: 30 points]

• Provide a 200-word maximum narrative describing the public engagement process for each project. Artists or artist teams must demonstrate prior experience with public outreach. 

• Two professional references of individuals you worked with on public art. Please include: name, title, organization, address, phone number, email address, and the role they served in the project.

4. Value-Added Offerings [Rating criteria: 5 points]

• Please provide a brief description of any value-added offerings that demonstrate how the artist or artist team will provide the greatest benefit to the City of Peoria.

• Examples may include competitive rates, specialized expertise, project management strategies that increase efficiency, familiarity with the City of Peoria, experience designing art in public settings, or other approaches that ensure maximum value for project funds. 

EVALUATION:

The artist and artist teams will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Portfolio review

• Quality of concept, design, and craftsmanship of past works

• Visual and technical sophistication

• Creativity of approach demonstrated in past work

• Ability to produce durable outdoor art within available funding limits

• Ability to produce a strong reference list of project managers of past works

• Demonstrated situational awareness with sensitivity to project goals and community character

• Ability to communicate effectively

• Demonstrated ability to complete projects on time and within budget

• Ability to work effectively in a public environment with community members, project stakeholders, City staff, and other agencies while adhering to the established timeline

SELECTION PROCESS:

The selection criteria shall include, but is not limited to, the above professional qualifications of the artist/artist teams as evidenced by the supporting materials, proven ability to undertake projects of the described scope, artistic merit and superior caliber craftsmanship as evidenced by the images.

City staff will compile a short-list of qualified artists or artist teams for review and evaluation by the Public Art Advisory Panel. From this group, the highest-ranked finalists will be invited to participate in in-person or virtual interviews. Finalists will be asked to describe their past experiences and qualifications as they relate to this Call for Artists but are not expected to present design concepts or proposals at this stage. Following selection, the chosen artist or artist team will enter into a design agreement, during which time site-specific artistic proposals will be developed through site visits, interactions with City staff and the project team, and input from community stakeholders. Following approval, the artist or team will enter into a separate fabrication and installation contract before project implementation and fabrication may begin.

Application will close Monday, December 15, 2025, 11:59p.m. No applications will be accepted after this time. Do not submit a project proposal or design at this time.

 ANTICIPATED PROJECT SCHEDULE:

• November 1, 2025: RFQ Opens (Release the Call to Artists)

• December 15, 2025: RFQ Closes (Artist submissions deadline)

• December 2025 - January 2026: Selection committee reviews submissions

• January 30, 2026: Finalist notifications (top three artists)

• February 28, 2026 Artist presentations and final selection

• March 15: Execute artist agreement for design services

• May 15, 2026: Approve final design

• May 30, 2026:  Execute artist agreement for fabrication and Installation

• October 1, 2026: Installation begins

• TBD: Dedication ceremony for the public artwork

*Schedule and timeline are subject to change.