2027 temporary public art -trailhead sculpture
Know before you apply
- Sculptors working at outdoor monumental scale
- Artists with US mailing address
- Emerging and experienced public artists
- One entry only, or disqualification
- $8,500 total package per artist
- Sculpture displayed outdoors for 2.5 years
The City of Santa Clarita, California, invites artists to submit one entry for the 2026-2027 Temporary Public Art - Trailhead Sculpture program. If an artist submits more than one artwork for consideration, they will be disqualified. The City will display two selected sculptures from two different artists on permanent concrete pads along the City's scenic trail system for a two-and-a-half-year exhibition cycle.
Artists of all backgrounds and experience levels, including emerging artists, are strongly encouraged to apply. Local Santa Clarita artists or those with a meaningful connection to the area are welcome, though it is not a requirement for selection.
Exhibition Dates: June 30, 2027 - March 31, 2030 (2.5 years).
Concrete Pad Dimensions: Foundation pads measure 96" x 96", with a usable structural footprint of 72" x 72". Foundation pads sit either flush with the surrounding dirt or are raised up to a few inches. A horizontal sculpture base may utilize the maximum length of the pad, provided its width stays within the usable parameters.
Height: Sculptures should be a minimum of 6 feet tall and a maximum of 15 feet tall.
Weight: Total weight must not exceed 3,000 pounds.
Site Utilities: Onsite electrical power is unavailable. If the artwork relies on lighting or moving elements, a self-contained solar component must be integrated into the design.
Durability and Safety: Artwork must be structurally sound and built from highly durable materials capable of surviving an exposed desert environment, including intense heat, UV exposure, and high winds. Designs must be inherently resistant to theft, vandalism, climbing, and excessive maintenance.
Public Safety and ADA: Artworks must not present sharp, low-hanging, or trapping hazards to public trail users. Pieces must conform to standard public safety and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) clearance protocols (e.g., no loose or low-lying components that block the pathway or create tripping hazards).
Content Restrictions: Works must be suitable for an all-ages civic audience. Pieces may not feature commercial advertisements, branding, trademarked symbols, intellectual property breaches, or depictions of drugs/illegal substances.