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.