Call to Artists – Glendale Adult Center: Sports, Parks, and Recreation Mural Project

Call Description
The City of Glendale Office of Arts and Culture is initiating a Valley-Wide Call to Artists to submit applications for a Sport, Parks and Recreation themed mural to be fabricated at the Glendale Adult Center in Glendale, AZ.

Parks and Recreation play a vital role in establishing and motivating healthy habits, friendly competition, and overall quality of life for our residents and citizens. Our Parks Employees personify these traits, and wish to demonstrate their commitment through this beautification project. Two walls that connect the Adult Center to the Parks Department Offices will be included in this beautification.

One of the walls will encapsulate the various different opportunities Parks and Recreation provide in our daily lives. This can include multiple images, including hiking, trails, aquatics, and other miscellaneous recreation activities.
The adjacent wall can include any sports, sporting events, legendary athletes, and/or significant athletic moments in American History. This can include abstract or specific renderings.

Together, the two walls will enhance the City’s commitment to providing healthy escapism and wellness for our community.

Award

Three (3), $800 honorariums for three (3) finalists

One (1) not-to-exceed $17,000 award for design, project management, overhead, fabrication, transportation, installation, insurance, and any other costs associated with the project. (award is based on approx.. $32 per square foot)

Wall Measurements (approx.)
Height: 8’

Width of West Wall: 30’

Width of East Wall: 37’

Total Square Footage: 536’

Materials
Materials must be durable and appropriate for indoor applications. Consideration should be taken to the close proximity of employees and guests frequenting the walkway. Any 2D mediums may be considered.

About Glendale, AZ
As the sixth largest city in Arizona, with a population of nearly 255,000, Glendale is a premiere destination to live, work and play. Glendale features premium entertainment and shopping opportunities and a growing list of signature companies that call our city home. The city is also home to Luke Air Force Base and major defense contractors, including Lockheed-Martin, Magellan Aerospace and Honeywell. Other major employers include Red Bull, Global Credit Union, Ball, Bechtel and Nestlé. From major international manufacturers, Fortune 100 firms and luxury auto dealers to locally owned small shops and restaurants, Glendale provides the ideal location for businesses to arrive and thrive. Employers will also find access to robust and qualified talent pipelines, with six postsecondary educational institutions. State Farm Stadium and Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale’s Sports and Entertainment District host hometown team the Arizona Cardinals, as well as mega events such as the Super Bowl and NCAA Final Four. Camelback-Ranch Glendale is the spring training home of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox.

Application Package

3-5 images/videos of relevant work. Please do not submit conceptual proposals, renderings, or AI Images. They will not be considered.

Professional Resume (limited to 500 words)

Statement of Intent. What interests you about the project? Please include how Sports, Parks, and/or Recreation can leave a lasting impact. This can include personal, professional, or cultural ties that motivate your perspective as an artist. (limited to 500 words)

An estimated schedule including timeline for design, fabrication, and completion.

Eligibility
This call is open to any artists residing within 100 miles of Glendale, AZ.

Questions
Questions should be submitted to [email protected]

Selection Process
The selection process will include the City of Glendale Office of Arts and Culture, and the Glendale Arts Commission. All applications must be submitted through Submittable. The application process is free. No hard copies will be accepted, and no applications should be submitted directly to the Office of Arts and Culture.

Phase One: The Glendale Arts Commission will identify the most qualified applicants based on the selection criteria listed below. From the pool of submissions, three finalists will be selected.

Phase Two: Three finalists will each receive a $800 honorarium to conduct research, visit the Center to determine any pre-fabrication needs, schedule meetings with area Citizens, Parks Employees, and Elected Officials, if available, and develop a formal proposal (including a minimum of 2 concept renderings). Finalists will also be welcome to present their concepts with the Glendale Arts Commission.

Phase Three: The Glendale Arts Commission will select a finalist, and an alternate for the project.
Initial Selection Criteria:

The ideal candidate

Is comfortable working in an indoor, public setting.

Enjoys collaboration.

Has demonstrated experience creating large scale, two-dimensional, permanent works of art.

Has the experience and background necessary for the scope of the project.

Lives and/or works within 100 miles of Glendale, AZ. Artists with a connection to the Valley area are encouraged to apply.

Tentative Timeline

Deadline for completed applications via Submittable: December 31, 2026

Arts Commission deliberations: January 19, 2027

Finalists notified: January 20, 2027

Finalists research: January 20, 2027 – March 7, 2027

Finalist Concept Packages via Submittable: March 7, 2027

Presentations and Arts Commission selections: March 16, 2027.

To Apply:

Please visit glendaleazarts.submittable.com/submit by December 31, 2026.

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