Artlink Inc.

The following call for artists is presented by Valley Metro (“Program Sponsors”) with support provided by Artlink Inc. The updated deadline to submit is Wednesday, June 3, 2026 by 5:00 p.m. (local Arizona time).

BACKGROUND 

Valley Metro is inviting an artist to design artwork that will promote creativity and public outreach in the transit experience. 

Project: Artsline Copper Card Artist for 2026

Request: Original work(s) for Valley Metro’s permanent collection that will be featured on the limited-edition Copper card, Valley Metro’s contactless reloadable smart card. Selected artist is responsible for providing professionally scanned or digitized original artwork in an acceptable digital format.  

Award: $2000

Artsline Overview: Valley Metro’s investment in arts and culture through Artsline programming contributes to enhancing the quality of life and producing economic support to the communities which we serve. Artsline creates a sense of place through a variety of art programs and enhances connections through art and transit. 

Valley Metro Artsline is defined as placemaking, people and community that exists in the physical space at stations, on board light rail, art programs and partnerships with community destinations and organizations. The pillars of the program are creativity, culture and community.

The objective of the campaign is to continue to message and promote Artsline and encourage the public to participate in the upcoming events, subscribe to Artsline communication and use public transit to access arts and cultural destinations along the rail line. 

The Artsline program will continue to grow through collaborations with arts and culture/community organizations as well. The goal of this call is to provide a local artist an opportunity to create artwork that will be put on public display through a series of limited-edition Copper cards and at the Valley Metro offices in addition to enhancing the portfolio of the artist. The collectible cards offer riders a memorable way to celebrate the region’s arts community.

Learn more about the Artsline program at valleymetro.org/artsline and limited-edition Copper cards at valleymetro.org/cards. 

Last limited-use Artsline Copper card 

SUBMISSION DETAILS

Project and Artist Rights

One artist (or team of artists) will be selected and paid $2,000. Completed artwork will become part of the Valley Metro permanent collection. Artist will provide licensing and reproduction rights, and permit photography of artworks, including use in promotional materials. All reasonable effort will be made to credit the artist in promotions and when communicating with media. Artist will be issued a contract that outlines terms and conditions.

Timeline:*

• Call Issued: Tuesday, May 12, 2026
• Submissions Due: Wednesday, June 3, 2026, by 5 p.m. (local AZ time)
• Selected Artist Notified: TBA

*Timeline subject to change.

Eligibility

Must be at least 18 years of age and resident of Arizona for at least two years.

Must have a thorough knowledge of the program requirements with the capacity and capabilities to fulfill these requirements according to the dates established.

Artists must be registered as an Artlink Articipant. It is free to sign up as a working artist. Find the registration form at artlinkphx.org. 

This call is open to the public including artist teams. There is no fee to enter. 

Criteria

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Artistic merit in conceptual approach and technical execution.
• Originality and quality of workmanship.
• Ability to translate work in acceptable 2-D digital medium.

Application Materials

1. A current resume.

2. Letter of interest.

3. Portfolio of up to 8 digital images documenting previously completed creative work. Portfolio should demonstrate originality and skill in creating and executing artwork such as painting, graphic design, illustration, digital content creation, murals, etc.

• Images should reflect work produced within the past five years.
• When submitting your portfolio, provide title, date, size, medium and brief description of the artwork. Provide location if displayed in a public space.

4. Email and phone contacts for two professional or art discipline references. Your references will only be called if you are a finalist.

Every submission is appreciated and will be seriously considered. Artists will be notified by email. 

Please send any questions to submissions@artlinkphx.org.

NOTE: Submissions are received through this Submittable platform. Please create an account or sign in below. 

The following call for artists of all practices is presented by FOUND:RE Phoenix Hotel and the FOUND:RE Contemporary art program, with support provided by Artlink Inc., for a new exhibition cycle entitled “WTFolk”. The deadline to submit is Thursday, June 18 by 5:00 p.m. (local Arizona time).

PROJECT

Exhibition: “WTFolk” (What the Folk)

Address: FOUND:RE Phoenix Hotel at 1100 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004

Request: “WTFolk” (What the Folk) is an open call to artists seeking work that expands, challenges, honors, or reimagines Folk Art. 

OVERVIEW

FOUND:RE Phoenix Hotel regularly presents exhibitions based on a 360-degree view of arts and culture that includes all the traditional mediums of art such as painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, fiber art, printmaking, etc., as well as video art, film, fashion, performance, music and much more. 

Artists are invited to consider the objects, symbols, patterns, rituals, materials, stories, and everyday practices that carry meaning across generations. The exhibition aims to ask what folk art is, who gets to define it, and how visual languages continue to evolve in the present.

For “WTFolk", FOUND:RE Phoenix Hotel will use the Gallery and first floor space to showcase the works that are selected. This diverse survey embraces different styles and mediums of art in both 2D and 3D works. All the works selected for exhibitions are for sale and will be represented on the gallery website for purchase by hotel patrons and art collectors from across the nation.

BACKGROUND

FOUND:RE Contemporary is a premier commercial gallery space in the heart of downtown Phoenix. It represents both emerging and established artists through a regular series of exhibitions and special events that happen in conjunction with the art programming at FOUND:RE Phoenix Hotel. 

Legal: Selected artist(s) will permit the photography of artworks, including use in promotional materials. All reasonable effort will be made to credit the artist in promotions and when communicating with the media. Being accepted in the show is only a commitment to have the works in the show represented for sale and any further terms and conditions about representation will be negotiated by the hotel curator and the artist.

Content: This open call is to identify artists who want to exhibit at FOUND:RE Phoenix Hotel, or who are looking for representation by FOUND:RE Contemporary. Artists are encouraged to submit works that demonstrate visually satisfying and thought-provoking work. Artwork should explore or incorporate iconography, whether it’s traditional, contemporary, or unique to the artist’s vision. 

FOUND:RE Contemporary welcomes submissions in a wide range of mediums. 3-Dimensional works are welcome, however, space is limited. 

SUBMISSION DETAILS

Interested artists are encouraged to learn more about FOUND:RE Phoenix and FOUND:RE Contemporary via the following websites: foundrehotels.com and foundrecontemporary.com.

Eligibility: This opportunity is only open to artists, designers, creative individuals and creative teams living and working in the state of Arizona.

Artists should be Articipants with our local partner, Artlink Inc. Find the registration form on artlinkphx.org.

There will be approximately 50 artists selected, depending on the number of works submitted and how many can be shown. 

Honoraria: Artists will receive a standard 50% commission on all sales.

Criteria: Selections will be based upon the quality, originality, and craftsmanship of their work as they relate to the exhibition’s theme. 

Project Rates: The chosen artist is responsible for transport and delivery of the works. FOUND:RE will install, insure and secure all works for a period of six months, after which time they will be returned to the artists. Artwork can be stored by FOUND:RE for a total of 30 days after the exhibition. Artwork can remain for sale on the website under consignment for a limited term contract to be determined by negotiation between FOUND:RE’s Curator of Art & Culture and the exhibiting artists. This is an offer that may be extended beyond the original terms and dates if the artist is interested, but it is not mandatory. All works accepted will be on consignment for the terms of the exhibition unless other terms are agreed upon in advance between the curators and the artist.

Timeline:*

• Submissions Due: Thursday, June 18 at 5:00pm  
• Artists Notified/Finalists Announced: Friday, June 26  
• Artwork Drop-Off: Monday, July 13, 2026 
• Opening Reception: Friday, July 17, 2026 
• Exhibition Dates: July 17, 2026 – January 10, 2027    

*Timeline subject to change

Submission Requirements:

Please make sure you follow ALL guidelines and complete the entire submission form, including the following:

• A current resume. 
• 1-3 digital images of artwork in any medium and genre you would like to exhibit.
• An image list that includes your full name (First, Last) title, medium, year of completion, size, and price. All files in your digital portfolio should be labeled with your last name and the title of your work (Last name, Title). 
• A current email and phone number. 

Every submission is appreciated and will be seriously considered.

Artists will be notified by email.

NOTE: Submissions are received through this Submittable platform. Please create an account or sign in below.