The following call for artists is presented by Valley Metro with support provided by Artlink Inc. The deadline to submit is Friday, January 24, 2025 by 5:00 p.m. (local Arizona time).

Valley Metro invites artists to create artwork for a poster to celebrate the May 2025 opening of the South Central Extension/Downtown Hub light rail project. 

Project: Valley Metro South Central Extension/Downtown Hub Opening Celebration Poster

Request: Original work that will be featured on a poster and promotional materials for the alignment opening. Selected artist is responsible for providing professionally scanned or digitized original artwork. The final digital file will be due by April 7, 2025. 

Budget: $2,000 for design and final digital file (1200dpi) 

BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW

For the opening of each new light rail alignment Valley Metro commissions an artist to create an original artwork to be featured on a commemorative poster. The South Central Extension/Downtown Hub will open new opportunities and strengthen communal ties, while celebrating the journey that was and looking to the future at the journey that is still ahead.

This call provides an artist or artist team an opportunity to create artwork for a poster which will promote and celebrate the new light rail alignment.

The artwork should celebrate the multicultural heritage and the building of connections between communities in the South Central and Downtown areas. 

Artists are asked to submit qualifications, not proposals. 

SUBMISSION DETAILS

Eligibility:

• Must be at least 18 years of age and resident of Arizona for at least two years.
• Must demonstrate a connection to the South Central and/or Downtown Communities
• 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:

Submissions should demonstrate:

• Artistic merit in conceptual approach and technical execution.
• Originality and quality of workmanship.

Application Materials:

Submissions need to be completed for consideration.

• A current resume.
• Letter of interest, including connection to South Central and Downtown Communities.
• Portfolio of at least 6, and no more than 10, digital images documenting previously completed creative work. The portfolio should demonstrate originality and skill in creating and executing artwork such as murals, graphic design, painting, digital content creation, and/or illustration.
• Images should reflect work produced within the past five years.
• When submitting your portfolio, provide a title, date, size, medium, and brief artwork description. Provide location if displayed in a public space.
• Email and phone contacts for two professional or art discipline references. 

Artist Rights:

One artist (or team) will be selected and paid $2,000. The 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. The artist will be asked to sign a contract that outlines terms and conditions. 

Timeline:*

• Call Issued: Monday, January 6, 2025
• Submissions Due: Friday, January 24, 2025, by 5:00 p.m. (local AZ time)
• Selected artists notified: Friday, February 7, 2025

*Timeline subject to change.

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. 

About Artsline: Valley Metro’s investment in arts and culture through Artsline programming enhances the quality of life and produces economic support to the communities we serve. Artsline creates a sense of place through a variety of artwork and enhances connections through art and transit. 

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