Artist Opportunities
Current Artist Calls
Request for Qualifications (RFQ): Pre-Qualified Public Artist Pool 2025-2027
The City of Palo Alto Public Art Program is inviting artists and artist teams working in a variety of 2D and 3D visual media and artistic approaches at all stages of their artistic careers to submit qualifications for inclusion in a Pre-Qualified Public Artist Pool for upcoming public art opportunities. A list of visual artistic disciplines may include but not be limited to sculpture, murals, architecturally integrated installations, new media and digital art, painting, illustration and graphic design, ceramic and glass, social practice-based art, environmental and earth art. A list of eligible artists selected for the Pre-Qualified Public Artist Pool will be used by the Palo Alto Public Art Program staff to recommend appropriate applicants for a range of permanent and temporary public art opportunities. Most public art commissions will be associated with municipal and private development projects as they arise throughout Palo Alto during the years 2025 - 2027. Inclusion in the Pre-Qualified Public Artist Pool does not guarantee selection for any projects.
The call is open to all practicing artists, artist teams, and visual arts professionals at least 18 years of age who reside in the United States and territories (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and American Samoa), as well as international artists with a legal authorization to work in the United States. Local artists residing in the Northern California Bay Area Region are strongly encouraged to apply and may be given preference for projects with limited budgets. Application deadline: Monday, January 27, 2025, at 11:59pm (PST).
Full Call & Application Guidelines(PDF, 261KB)
Apply Now!
Palo Alto Mural Artist Roster
The Palo Alto Public Art Program is re-opening its Palo Alto Mural Artist Roster to new mural artist applications: Calling all muralists interested in commissions in private development and municipal projects. Mural artists selected for the Roster will demonstrate artistic merit, ability and experience designing and painting large-scale murals. All approved artists will be placed on the Palo Alto Mural Artist Roster available as a public resource to anyone wishing to engage an artist in commissioning an original mural for their site. Artists in the Roster may be considered and selected for specific private mural projects as well as Municipal commissions by project-based selection panels consisting of Public Art Program staff, arts professionals, and community members. Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee a mural commission. Artists will remain on the Roster for five (5) years. Application Deadline: Monday, January 27, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
Full Call and Application Guidelines(PDF, 280KB)
Apply Now!
About Artist Opportunities
The Palo Alto Public Art Program works extensively with local, regional and national artists to bring permanent and temporary artworks that build the visual identity and reflect the diverse and exciting environment of the City of Palo Alto. Through its Percent for Art Program, the City provides opportunities for artists to create original works of art that comprise Palo Alto's rapidly growing collection of permanent and portable artworks.
Artists who wish to be considered for public art opportunities associated with construction in private development projects, please contact Program Director Elise DeMarzo by email.
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Artist Resources
Visit Americans for the Arts (AFTA) website for up-to-date news and resources for the arts and culture field, including information about relief funds, resource pages and other helpful tools, articles and creative opportunities.
Californians for the Arts is a comprehensive, multidisciplinary organization focused on advancing and building public awareness of the value and impact of arts, culture and creativity across California.
Americans for the Arts Public Art Network (PAN) develops professional services for individuals and organizations engaged in the field of public art. PAN is dedicated to advancing public art programs and projects through advocacy, policy, and information resources to further art and design in our built environment.
AFTA Public Art Resource Center is an online portal that provides a wide range of tools and resources tailored to the needs of professionals working in the public art field.
Forecast Public Art fosters dynamic, inclusive and resilient communities through public art, community-engaged design and transformative placemaking. For 40 years, Forecast has improved the collective life of communities through a unique combination of responsive consulting services, rare one-to-one support for public artists, and abundant resources, including Public Art Review, the world’s leading public art magazine.
SlideRoom is a comprehensive application management system to accept and review applications and capable of handling media, forms and references all in one place.
CaFÉ, Call for Entry is a comprehensive tool for all artists looking for arts opportunities — from competitions to public art calls. Additionally, CaFÉ enables organizations to build their calls for artists, manage applications jurying process in a cost-effective way.
CODAworx is an online community for artists and design professionals to showcase their work, collaborate with one another, and earn recognition for their projects.
Founded in July 2016, the Arts Administrators of Color Network (AAC) is a service organization that focuses on networking and community building through the arts.
Public Art Exchange is an open and transparent network for the Public Art Field.