Canal Convergence 2025: Request for Temporary Public Art Proposals
Canal Convergence | SHOWTIME
Call for Art 2025 - Request for Temporary Public Art Proposals
Deadline: Wednesday, April 23, 2025, 11:59 p.m. Arizona time (year-round daylight standard time).
Eligibility: All local, regional, and international artists, artist teams, architects, designers, and multimedia specialists are invited to submit proposals. International artists who apply must include remote installation as an option in their proposals.
Budget: We will accept budgets between $5,000 and $35,000 (USD).
Canal Convergence 2025: Request for Temporary Public Art Proposals: Phase I
Canal Convergence seeks proposals for outdoor, temporary public artworks to be featured in, around, and suspended above the Arizona Canal at the Scottsdale Waterfront in Scottsdale, Arizona. Canal Convergence will be on view for 10 days, from Nov. 7–16, 2025. Of the final selected artworks (typically between 8 and 15 artworks), one project will be selected to remain installed at the Scottsdale Waterfront for an additional month after the Canal Convergence event dates. This call is specifically targeting outdoor, light-based installations. Nighttime presence/activation is required; daytime presence/activation is encouraged. More information about this opportunity can be found at: canalconvergence.com/call-for-art/
2025 Theme: SHOWTIME
For the Canal Convergence 2025 featured theme, SHOWTIME, Scottsdale Arts is seeking public art proposals that speak to the cross-section of performance and public art, as well as the subject of performance itself, including its history, cultural significance, and role in society.
Some questions to consider as you craft your proposal concept include the following:
• What is the cultural significance of performance? What role does it play?
• How can public art explore the relationship between performers and audience?
• How has the definition of performing arts changed over time?
• Is the proposed public artwork performative (an artwork that performs “shows” or displays at set times and for set durations)?
• Does the proposed artwork invite people (professional performers or the public) to use the artwork as a performance space?
• Or as an instrument?
Artwork Considerations for Canal Convergence 2025:
Submissions that follow/incorporate the suggestions below will be given a higher priority in the final selection.
• Propose an artwork that speaks to the 2025 featured theme, SHOWTIME.
• Propose art installations that are able to be located in smaller, narrower sections of landscaping without damaging or destroying any plants.
• Propose a modular art installation that can be installed in a variety of topographies (gravel, grass, inclines, etc.).
• Present multiple (2 to 3) installations for the event that can be shipped to and from Canal Convergence in the same truck, container, etc.
• Submit art installation proposals that do not require 24-hour security.
Each artist or team may submit up to three ideas or artworks. Please submit a separate proposal with documentation for each separate idea or artwork being proposed.
This call is Phase I of II. Phase I asks artists to focus primarily on the proposal concept, images, rendering, and estimated total budget. Once Phase I closes on April 23, 2025, up to 30 proposals will be selected for Phase II via Scottsdale Public Art staff review. These artists will be asked to provide more detailed information on their proposals, which will be presented to a final selection panel composed of Scottsdale Arts staff and board members, the city of Scottsdale and Salt River Project staff, and community stakeholders. Required additional information for Phase II will include, but is not limited to, a detailed timeline, itemized budget, support crew, heavy equipment, and power requirements, etc.
If you have questions about the RFP, Canal Convergence, or your proposal and its suitability for our site, we are happy to discuss it with you. Questions should be directed to Jennifer Gill, deputy director of Canal Convergence, at JenniferG@ScottsdaleArts.org.
Jennifer is also offering artists the opportunity to schedule 30-minute (max.) meetings via Zoom or phone call in April to discuss their ideas for Canal Convergence. The available dates for these sessions are Wednesday, April 2, and Friday, April 11, 2025. To find and schedule available times, please contact Jennifer directly via email.
