fire station 604 public art project - call for artists
Scottsdale Public Art is accepting qualifications from artists for a permanent public art opportunity for the Fire Station 604 project in Scottsdale, Arizona. The City of Scottsdale is building a new fire station to replace the 1988 facility, which will add a larger apparatus bay, safety gear storage, crew quarters, and a decontamination area. Scottsdale Public Art seeks to contract an artist to design, fabricate, and install artistic features at the fire station, located at 9045 East Via Linda. The final selected artist will receive $80,000 for the realization of the art.
Selection Process:
Artists are selected by an artist selection panel through an equitable process. New artist selection panels are created for every project. The selection panel may include art professionals, artists, community members, a Scottsdale Public Art Advisory Board member, and project stakeholders. Scottsdale Public Art staff members facilitate the selection panel process but are not voting members. Other non-voting members may include City of Scottsdale staff, consultants, and/or stakeholders of the larger project. These non-voting members are present to assist with the process and address any questions related to the project as a whole.
An artist selection panel will evaluate all submissions and identify finalists. Up to three finalists will be selected and paid a $300.00 USD stipend to do a virtual presentation of previous work and an interview. Following the interviews, one artist and one alternate will be selected for the project. The final selected artist will create a permanent art installation at the site. A proposal is not required from finalists. Selection criteria include:
Artistic merit, as demonstrated by submitted materials
Demonstrated ability to create engaging, skillfully executed, and thought-provoking artwork.
Demonstrated potential to complete projects of a similar scope.
Willingness and ability to collaborate with community members, stakeholders, and project teams.
Interest in incorporating community voices into the design process, when applicable.
The selection panel will recommend the final selected artist for approval by the Scottsdale Public Art Advisory Board. Throughout the project, the Advisory Board approves art concepts and the project scope and budget, allowing the artist creative license within the established project plan. The contract and project plan are to be negotiated with Scottsdale Public Art. The Advisory Board reserves the right to reject any or all applications.
Timeline:
Subject to change based on project schedule:
September–December 2026 — Artist selection, finalist interviews, final artist recommendation, Advisory Board approval
December 2026/January 2027 — Contract development
January–May 2027 — Community engagement, design development, and design approvals
Summer/Fall 2027 — Fabrication
Winter 2027 — Site prep and installation
Spring 2028 — Project completion