PIMA COUNTY PUBLIC ART
Through dynamic public art installations, both temporary and permanent, SAACA partners directly with businesses and governments to invigorate public spaces with art, color and vibrancy
PIMA COUNTY 1% FOR PUBLIC ART CODE
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Pima County's 1% for Public Art Program, established in 1990, allocates 1% of eligible capital improvement project construction funds for the commissioning, purchase, and installation of artworks in public spaces. This initiative aims to integrate art into various settings—such as parks, libraries, community centers, roadways, and bridges—thereby enriching the daily lives of residents and enhancing the county's cultural landscape.
The program is managed through a collaborative process facilitated by Pima County and the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance. Art Selection panels, comprising arts professionals and community representatives, evaluate artist applicants, select artists for projects and ensure that the commissioned artworks reflect the community's diverse perspectives and artistic expressions. Additionally, the county maintains its public art collection, which includes over 140 permanently sited and integrated works, through ongoing conservation efforts. These activities encompass regular inspections, restorative work, and routine maintenance to preserve the integrity and longevity of the artworks. By dedicating a portion of capital project budgets to public art, Pima County fosters a vibrant cultural environment that reflects its commitment to artistic expression and community engagement. |
KEY DOCUMENTS GOVERNING THE PROCESS
Pima County Public Art Program Board of Supervisors Policy 3.3 Pima County Public Art Administrative Procedures 3-16 |
OVERVIEW OF THE PIMA COUNTY PUBLIC ART PROCESS
Pima County’s 1% for Public Art Program ensures that public art enhances shared spaces, enriches cultural identity, and reflects the voices of the community. The process begins with the formation of a seven person Public Art Panel, composed of community representatives, one to two District appointees, an artist and arts professionals, and representatives from key project stakeholders identified by the County. After receiving approval from the Panel of the proposed themes and site locations, a Call to Artist is nationally and locally published where artists and artist teams are invited to submit qualifications through a competitive Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process. After at least 30 days of open submissions, the panel then reviews applications and selects finalists for interviews. Once an artist is chosen and contracted, they collaborate with the panel and project stakeholders to develop a conceptual design, which undergoes public review, technical assessments, and final approval. The project then moves into the fabrication and installation phase, ensuring that each piece is thoughtfully integrated into its site.
Throughout this process, transparency, community engagement, and artistic excellence are prioritized, ensuring that Pima County’s public art collection continues to inspire, connect, and represent its diverse communities. Public Art opportunities are open to all artists and will be published on CallForEntry.org. Calls to Artist will also be available on this webpage, distributed through the SAACA newsletter, and several Arizona artist opportunities platforms.
Panel Meetings are open to the public. Meeting dates will be published on this webpage.
Questions? Contact Matt Rolland, SAACA Deputy Director, at [email protected].
Throughout this process, transparency, community engagement, and artistic excellence are prioritized, ensuring that Pima County’s public art collection continues to inspire, connect, and represent its diverse communities. Public Art opportunities are open to all artists and will be published on CallForEntry.org. Calls to Artist will also be available on this webpage, distributed through the SAACA newsletter, and several Arizona artist opportunities platforms.
Panel Meetings are open to the public. Meeting dates will be published on this webpage.
Questions? Contact Matt Rolland, SAACA Deputy Director, at [email protected].
WHY IS PUBLIC ART IMPORTANT?
Public art instills meaning—a greater sense of identity and understandings of where we live, work, and visit—creating memorable experiences for all. It humanizes the built environment, provides an intersection between past, present, and future, and can help communities thrive. Public art has been found to provide a positive impact on communities by supporting economic growth and sustainability, attachment and cultural identity, artists as contributors, social cohesion and cultural understanding, and public health and belonging.
CURRENT PROJECTS
Pima County, AZ - Canoa Ranch Pollinator GardenIn partnership with Pima County, SAACA is seeking a Public Artist or Artist Team to create site-specific public artworks for the Historic Canoa Ranch Pollinator Garden, a seven-acre ecological and educational space dedicated to preserving native Sonoran Desert pollinators and plants. Funded through Pima County’s 1% for Public Art program, this project offers a $150,000 budget for the design and installation of engaging, durable artworks at three interpretive educational nodes throughout the garden. The selected artist will develop nature-inspired designs that enhance the visitor experience, highlight the ecological significance of pollinators, and reflect the rich cultural history of the region. Open to all U.S. artists. The project will integrate with the garden’s mission of conservation and education and is expected to be completed within two years.
About the Site: Historic Canoa Ranch Call to Artist: Application Application Deadline: April 11, 2025 at 11:59 PM Mountain Time Panel Meeting Dates:
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Pima County, AZ - Valencia Road: Mission Road to Camino de la Tierra In partnership with Pima County, SAACA is seeking a Public Artist or Artist Team to create impactful, site-specific public art for the Valencia Road expansion (Mission Rd. to Camino de la Tierra). This project, funded through Pima County’s 1% for Public Art program, invites artists with a demonstrated history of community-oriented work to transform the newly expanded roadway corridor with engaging and durable art. The artwork budget is $207,692, covering design, materials, permits, installation, and associated costs. Located along paths and open areas within the right-of-way, the freestanding sculptural artwork should reflect the cultural heritage and dynamic community of Southwest Tucson. Open to all U.S. artists.
About the Site: Project Website Call to Artist: Application Application Deadline: April 11, 2025 at 11:59 PM Mountain Time Panel Meeting Dates:
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Pima County, AZ - Himmel Park LibraryIn partnership with Pima County, SAACA is seeking a Public Artist or Artist Team to create a site-specific public artwork for the renovated Himmel Park Library, located in Tucson’s historic Sam Hughes neighborhood. Funded through Pima County’s 1% for Public Art program, this opportunity offers a $35,692 budget for the design and installation of a durable, sculptural artwork to enhance the library’s outdoor reading porch or surrounding exterior spaces.
The selected artist will develop work that reflects themes of education, imagination, and community connection, while responding to the site’s architectural design and neighborhood context. The artwork must be constructed with materials appropriate for long-term exposure to the Sonoran Desert climate and securely installed. Open to all artists worldwide. Budget: $35,692 Application: https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=14962 Application Deadline: July 9, 2025 at 11:59 PM Mountain Time Panel Meeting Dates:
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Pima County, AZ – Northwest Service Center Public Art OpportunityIn partnership with Pima County, SAACA is seeking a Public Artist or Artist Team to create a site-specific public artwork for the new Northwest Service Center, a civic facility providing vital health, housing, and workforce development services in Tucson. Funded through Pima County’s 1% for Public Art program, this opportunity offers a $175,000 budget for the design and installation of a durable, exterior sculptural artwork that enhances the facility’s public-facing presence along the Miracle Mile corridor.
The selected artist will create a work that reflects themes of health, opportunity, resilience, and community connection, while complementing the site’s contemporary architecture. The artwork must be securely installed and composed of materials appropriate for long-term exposure to the Sonoran Desert climate. Murals will not be considered. Open to all artists worldwide. Budget: $175,000 Application: https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=14965 Application Deadline: July 9, 2025 at 11:59 PM Mountain Time |
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PUBLIC ART ADMINISTRATION SERVICES
PUBLIC ART ADMINISTRATION SERVICES
SAACA offers public art administration services, and community engagement project management for both permanent and temporary art installations with public and private partners. We offer the below services.
SAACA offers public art administration services, and community engagement project management for both permanent and temporary art installations with public and private partners. We offer the below services.
- Project identification and scope visioning
- Identifying, developing and inssuing a Call to Artists
- Providing information to the artists in the Call to Artists process
- Artist selection, committee training and development, and artist contracting guidance
- Local permitting and proposal development
Contact [email protected] for more information
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