Artlink Inc.

The Carmody Foundation is now accepting applications from Arizona-based artists for the tenth cycle of its grant program to support the work of 15 artists with the Art for Good grants. The submission deadline is Friday, May 29, 2026 by 5:00 p.m. (local Arizona time).

BACKGROUND 

In 2017, Tom and Laurie Carmody established The Carmody Foundation with a mission to enhance quality of life for families by expanding access to affordable housing, advancing women’s health services—including reproductive care and support for victims of violence—and increasing awareness among school-aged children of career pathways in the skilled trades.

The Art for Good Program was created in direct support of these philanthropic priorities and in response to frequent calls for artists to contribute work to nonprofit fundraising efforts. By providing direct support to artists, the program fosters a model in which the creative community and private sector collaborate to generate meaningful impact and strengthen the communities they serve.

Learn more about The Carmody Foundation here. 

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Carmody Foundation is pleased to invite Arizona artists to apply for the 10th cycle of the Art for Good Grant Project. Through a jury-reviewed process, fifteen (15) selected artists will each be awarded a $1,000 grant to create a new, original work of art.

The completed artworks these artists create will then be donated to nonprofit partner organizations and featured in fundraising auctions, directly supporting programs that provide essential services to communities across Arizona.

Participating nonprofit partners are selected from organizations currently supported by The Carmody Foundation and may include, but are not limited to:

• Camp Patrick
• Maggie's Place
• UMOM
• Hope Women's Center of Phoenix
• Phoenix Conservatory of Music
• Boys and Girls Clubs of AZ
• Hospice of the Valley
• New Life Center
• Fresh Start for Women
• Genesis City
• ...and others

Art for Good Meet and Greet Reception: Selected artists will be invited to a reception in August to meet representatives of the nonprofit organizations supported by the grant program. 

Art for Good Exhibition: The works created for the program will be on view in a group exhibition hosted at mood room, located at 3121 N 3rd Ave STE 100, Phoenix, AZ 85013.  The opening reception and award ceremony will be on First Friday, November 6, 2026.

SUBMISSION AND GRANT DETAILS  

• As part of the submission, artists are asked to provide a conceptual framework of the artwork to be produced, if selected.
• Provide up to 3 images of past work as examples.
• Provide a rough description/sketch of the concept for the proposed work.  
• Each selected artist will receive a $1,000 grant. An initial payment of $250 will be given during a meet and greet reception with the various nonprofits in August (date to be determined)
• All artwork must be completed and delivered to mood room on or before Sunday, October 31, 2026.
• A group show for the grant recipients will be held at the mood room for the month of November 2026. The opening reception will be on First Friday, November 6, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• All pieces created for the project will be on display in the aforementioned group show. They will not be for sale, as they are to be donated to the charities listed above.
• Each selected artist will have the opportunity to show up to 2 additional pieces (depending on size), along with their Grant piece, to generate additional revenue through potential sales.
• Final distribution of the awards ($750) and the three additional awards will all be presented at the opening reception of the group show. (Artists are recommended to be present for the awards ceremony. However, if that is not possible, arrangements can be made.)

Criteria: The Carmody Foundation advocates for the arts, education, health care, entrepreneurs, and fair housing. The selected artists will include those whose work addresses, exemplifies, and/or examines these themes. 

Eligibility: This opportunity is open to artists who live and work in Arizona with the ability to produce exemplary art. Artists must be over the age of 18 and be pre-registered as an Artlink Articipant. Find the registration form on artlinkphx.org (Articipant fees are optional).  

Project Timeline:*

• Submission deadline: Friday, May 29, 2026, 5:00 p.m. (local Arizona time)
• Artists notified: Week of June 22-26, 2026
• Artists & Nonprofit Meet and Greet: August 2026 (date and time TBD)
• Delivery of artwork: On or before Saturday, October 31, 2026 (specific times TBD based on all parties' availability)
• Exhibition opening reception: Friday, November 6, 2026 (First Friday), 6 to 9 p.m.

*Timeline subject to change 

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

Questions? Email submissions@artlinkphx.org.

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

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.