Call for Artists / Request for Qualifications (RFQ) Park West Public Art Project

Total Project Budget: $150,000

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  Park West in Peoria, Arizona. The final selected artist(s) will create a permanent art installation at the site. Artists working in the states of: Arizona, California, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and New Mexico; United States, who have experience designing, fabricating, and installing projects with a similar budget and scope, are encouraged to apply.

Peoria Arts & Culture is seeking to contract with an artist to design, fabricate, and install an artistic feature at Park West which is located at 9744 W Northern Ave, Peoria, AZ 85345. Peoria’s flagship lifestyle destination, blending shopping, dining, and entertainment into one vibrant experience. Anchored by a 14-screen Harkins Theatre, the center features a curated mix of over 30 tenants, including national brands to distinctive local retailers, wellness studios, indoor recreation, and a diverse culinary lineup–from upscale sit-down restaurants to casual eateries and quick bites.

Beyond retail, Park West fosters community connection through seasonal events, local markets, and family-friendly attractions like the splash pad, open daily during warmer months. The center’s beautifully landscaped outdoor spaces and generous parking make exploring its walkable, open-air layout both convenient and enjoyable. Whether you’re looking to browse, dine, unwind, or celebrate, Park West offers experiences for everyone.

This public art project will be located near the entrance of Park West in Peoria, Arizona. Due to limited space within this open-air shopping destination, city staff have identified kinetic art as the best potential fit. While open to other forms of three-dimensional sculpture, kinetic art has been specifically identified as the perfect complement to be featured on the premises. An emphasis on complementing the existing aesthetic is also a project priority of this commission. Discussions with location management also underscore a shared preference for art that will incorporate motion. Consequently experience creating functional or interactive artwork is highly desired.

Kinetic sculpture includes, but is not limited to the following descriptions:

• Movement (as powered by different sources) is a basic element of the artwork.

• Movement is an integral part of the design of the artwork and not merely to impart movement to an already complete static object.

• Movement may be achieved by air currents, magnetism, electro-mechanical devices or by the participation of the spectators themselves.

WHAT TO EXPECT WITH THIS PROJECT:

The final selected work of art should:

• Be an original, site-specific treatment to public space that creates a sense of place in the proposed outdoor location, and attracts and welcomes visitors

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

• Be fabricated from durable, low maintenance material that can withstand the outdoor elements and requires minimal maintenance

• Incorporate input from stakeholders and the Peoria community

• Strive for sustainability through utilization of natural power sources such as wind and/or solar lighting

Applications are due by Friday, November 14, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. MST (AZ)

BUDGET:

The total budget for this Public Art project is not to exceed $150,000. The selected artist will receive a design contract for $20,000 to develop site-integrated artwork and begin community engagement. If the design proposal is accepted, the artist will receive a subsequent contract of $120,000 to fabricate and install the artwork. Additionally, $10,000 will be withheld for administrative, conservation and other related project costs. Artists and artist teams should know that any proposal by a selected artist must undergo an extensive approval process which may include revision or modification through the city's Public Art Program and required city contracts. Please consider this approval process and contractual process and obligations when submitting qualifications. The process, fees and services are subject to negotiation based on proposed deliverables and must meet the city’s standards for public stewardship and must adhere to all city processes. Lastly, as a partnership project with Park West, there’s also certain criteria to be met and approved by Park West management throughout this project.

Submittal Requirements, Eligibility and Selection Criteria:

This Call for Artists is a Request for Qualifications by established professional artists residing and eligible to work in the United States and those who have been identified to submit application materials. Artists or artists teams will be rated on a total of 100 points, and will be required to submit the following information:

• Statement of Interest and Artist Resume

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. [Rating criteria: 30 points]

• Artist Portfolio

A minimum of six (6) and up to ten (10) samples of past work, including an annotated image list stating the title of the piece, commissioning body, project budget, date, medium and dimensions. [Rating criteria: 35 points]

• Prior Experience Working within the Public Sector

• List of public art projects conducted in the public sector
• Documentation of two or more public art commissions over $100,000 per project including a list of the materials costs, rates and other costs per referenced project.
• Provide a brief (no more than 200 words) narrative on public engagement process involved with each project. Artist or artist teams should have public outreach experience. References should include contact information on an individual’s name, title, organization, their role in the project scope, address, phone, and email address. [Rating criteria: 30 points]

• Estimated Project Schedule and Value-Added Offerings

Include an estimated schedule for completion of work for the proposed project and value-added offerings describing how the artist or artist team will provide the best value to the City of Peoria. Value-added offerings could include rates, specialized expertise, project management approach to increase efficiency, familiarity with the City of Peoria, designing art in a retail setting, or other ways you will ensure maximum value for dollars spent. [Rating criteria: 5 points]

EVALUATION:

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.

Application will close Friday, November 14, 2025, 11:59pm. No applications will be accepted after this time. Do not submit a project proposal or design at this time.

ANTICIPATED PROJECT SCHEDULE:

• October 1, 2025: RFQ Opens (Release the Call to Artists)
• November 15, 2025:  RFQ Closes (Artist submissions deadline)
• November - December 2025: Selection committee reviews submissions
• January 10, 2026: Finalist notifications (top three artists)
• February 1, 2026 Artist presentations and final selection
• February 15: Contract development 
• March 15, 2026: Approve Design
• April 1, 2026:  Execute artists agreement for fabrication, site prep, and Installation
• August 15, 2026: Installation
• TBD: Special event commemorating the art

*Schedule and timeline are subject to change.

Request for Qualifications: Light at Play
 

The City of Peoria, Arizona invites qualified artists to submit their credentials for Light at Play, a three-night celebration of illuminated and interactive public art taking place April 9–11, 2026.
 

Submission Opens: October 15, 2025

Submission Deadline: November 16, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. MST (AZ)


Qualifications:

Light at Play is an outdoor evening event in Downtown Peoria that transforms public spaces through illuminated and interactive art. Eligible projects must incorporate or be activated by light. Artists, designers, and multidisciplinary teams with experience in large-scale projection, immersive media, or illuminated three-dimensional installation and sculpture are encouraged to apply.
 

Examples Include (but are not limited to):

• Digital animation
• Motion graphics
• Projection mapping
• Interactive light art
• AR experiences
• LED sculpture
• Neon sculpture
• Kinetic light sculptures
   

Eligibility 

Eligible applicants include individual artists and collaborative teams residing in Arizona and the surrounding region (CA, CO, NM, NV, UT). Three-dimensional work will be considered only from Arizona-based artists at this time.
 

Desired Qualifications: 

• Work that demonstrates thoughtful concepts through a unique artistic vision.
• Strong understanding of storytelling and placemaking through light, motion, and technology.
• Demonstrated experience using digital projection at scale on architectural facades, murals, sculptural surfaces, or other built environments.
• Demonstrated ability developing interactive and immersive art for public settings.
• Proven ability to design and implement geotagged and WebAR/VPS-based AR experiences that are reliable and user-friendly.
• Proven functionality and durability of three-dimensional artwork in outdoor settings.

Phase I:

This is Phase I of a two-phase process. Phase I is a Request for Qualifications (RFQ); final concepts are not required at this stage, though applicants may optionally submit up to three ideas for consideration.
 

Phase I Application Requirements:

1. Qualifications: 

Artist Information: Artist or team name as well as contact details and website/socials.

Experience: A CV or equivalent that highlights your experience in projection, illuminated three-dimensional work, immersive media, or public art. PDF format only.

Artist Statement: Up to 300 words describing your artistic practice, including key concepts, themes, and materials. 

Portfolio: Provide examples of past work related to projection, illuminated three-dimensional work, or immersive media. For individual applicants submitting collaborative work samples, clearly indicate your role and contributions.

Option 1:

• Submit 5–10 images (300 DPI each) compiled into a single PDF file.
• Label each work sample with title, medium, dimensions, year.

Option 2:

• Submit up to five minutes of video, either as one reel or up to five one-minute clips, in .mov or .mp4 format.
• Each work must be labeled with a title card or listed in a supplemental PDF with title, medium, dimensions, year.

Option 3:

• Applicants may submit a combination of the above formats, provided the total does not exceed the allowable number of work samples (e.g., two minutes of video and three pages of image stills).
• Each work sample must be labeled with a title card or listed in a supplemental PDF with title, medium, dimensions, year.
   

2. Required Technical Questionnaire: Share detailed information on your approach, technical experience, and installation needs in order to give us a full understanding of the work you make and your production process. This questionnaire is mandatory; however, you are only required to complete the section(s) that apply to your artistic practice.
 

3. Optional Concept Proposal: Already have ideas for Light at Play? Applicants may upload up to three concept proposals, each supported by a sketch, mockup, or rendering (PDF format only). This step is optional and not required to apply for Phase I.
 

Evaluation Criteria: 

Applications will be reviewed by the Project Committee following the November 16 deadline. Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

1. Portfolio Work Samples 
2. Technical Experience 
3. Artist Statement 
4. CV or Equivalent 
5. Public Art Experience 

Please Note:

• Incomplete or late submissions will not be accepted.
• Light at Play is a family-friendly event – artwork must be appropriate for all ages.
• All projects must remain accessible to the public for the full three-evening duration of this free event.
• (optional) Applicants may submit up to three concepts for consideration during Phase I.

Phase II:

Artists advancing to Phase II will be confirmed as participants in Light at Play and will be notified of this decision by December 15, 2025. During Phase II, artists will be required to submit detailed site-specific proposals—including renderings, budget, and installation requirements—to guide the final planning and implementation of their work. 

Budgets will generally range from $3,000–$20,000, with final amounts determined by artwork quality, site complexity, and the technological and logistical demands of the project. Budgets outside this range may be considered at the Project Committee’s discretion. While artists are required to submit a proposed project budget, final allocations will be determined by the City of Peoria and may differ from those proposed.

Artists will not be responsible for costs associated with event-provided equipment such as projectors, scaffolding, or lifts. Equipment supplied through the City of Peoria and its production partners will be available for use; however, new or specialized equipment will not be purchased to accommodate individual project needs. Artists may provide and operate their own equipment if preferred, provided it meets event safety and technical requirements.
 

Additional Information: 

• A Phase II packet with detailed guidance will be distributed to artists at the start of this phase. 
• Proposals may feature either new or existing original artwork, provided they align with event parameters.
• Phase II artists from outside Arizona are encouraged to be onsite for the event; however, they must also provide a remote installation option in their Phase II proposal.

Anticipated Project Milestone Timeline:

• October 15, 2025: Phase I artist submission opens.
• November 16, 2025: Phase I artist submission closes.
• December 15, 2025: Notify selected artists. Site locations assigned. 
• January 20, 2026: Phase II site design presentations. 
• February 23, 2026: Phase II virtual check-in or in-person site visit.
• March 30, 2026: Final Phase II virtual check-in.
• April 1-8, 2026: Onsite installation begins.
• April 9-11, 2026: Light at Play! 
• April 11-12, 2026: Artwork de-installed.

*Schedule and timeline are subject to change.

Reference:

A downloadable version of the Light at Play – Phase I: Call to Artists is available for your reference. This document includes event details, eligibility information, site map, and contact information.

Download the Light at Play Phase I: Call to Artists (PDF)