grand canal public art open call

he Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture requests qualifications from professional artists to work with an engineering design team, City departments, community groups and stakeholders to design, fabricate and install integrated public art and other enhancements along the Grand Canal corridor between 47th and 75th Avenues in Maryvale. The selected artist will be expected to work with the community and city to create enhancements that bolster the visual identity of the area and enliven the pedestrian experience. This is an opportunity for artists specializing in three-dimensional artwork and collaborative design teams. The engineering team will be selected through a separate RFP process by the Phoenix Street Transportation Department. Salt River Project (SRP) operates the canal system and is collaborating with the City of Phoenix on this exciting new project.

The Grand Canal area between 47th and 75th Avenues can accommodate pedestrian and bicycle use, so an improved canalscape project will be a welcome recreation or commuting alternative to navigating nearby roads. Improvements will be made along the north bank of the canal. SRP uses the south bank for operations and maintenance.

The project will incorporate public art, landscaping and neighborhood access points to the path to provide better visibility, access and, ultimately, appreciation of the canal system in the Phoenix area. Grand Canalscape Phase 3 will link neighborhoods with multiple schools, transit routes, churches, employers and entertainment venues like American Family Fields of Phoenix (formerly Maryvale Baseball Park).

The overall project team will be expected to develop concepts and designs for improving the aesthetics, safety, function and visibility of the canal corridor at sites including the arterial crossing at 51st Avenue and on the north side of the canal between 55th and 57th Avenues. The selected artist will also be expected to participate in community presentations as part of the project. Artwork will be created through a collaboration with the project design team including the City Streets department, engineering consultants, landscape architects and the Office of Arts and Culture. The ideal artist should have experience creating three-dimensional outdoor artwork, designing multiple public art enhancements, and collaborating on design concepts with fabricators, community and design teams. Public art opportunities may include, but are not limited to, vertical shade features, seating, walkways, crossings, landmarks and landscape enhancements that improve canal visibility and community access and links to the canal trail. The selected artist will be expected to work with various city departments to integrate their concepts into the overall goals of these projects.