Exhibition call for art — Scottsdale Civic Center Public Gallery
Entry deadline: May 4, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. MST
Open Spaces — on display from July 9 to September 30, 2026, at the Civic Center Public Gallery at Scottsdale Civic Center Library, 3839 N Drinkwater Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ.
Open Spaces is a juried exhibition of fiber artworks addressing the significance of the landscape. Natural elements such as plants, animals, and stone are foundational to humanity’s existence, and open spaces like national parks remind us of this and serve as a valuable resource for mental wellness. The US National Park Service was established on August 25, 1916. There are over 400 national parks in the United States, and 22 are in Arizona. This juried exhibition will feature weaving, felting, quilting, fabric manipulation and fiber-featured mixed media.
Juried by Erika Lynne Hanson, an interdisciplinary artist, researcher, and educator whose work is rooted in textile practices.
Please note the size restrictions below.
GALLERY INFORMATION: Artworks can be any size up to 52 inches wide by 52 inches high for wall hanging. Recommended sculptural work dimension limits for pedestals are 20 inches high by 15 inches deep by 15 inches wide. The gallery at Civic Center Library is 680 square feet, with 8-foot-tall walls, electric and data availability in the floor, and a cable and latch-hook hanging system. The gallery walls shall not be pierced or affected by the art installation and the hanging system must be used. D-rings must be on the back of the work to accommodate the hanging system. Wall-hung artworks shall be no more than 90 pounds each. Artworks are insured while on display. Exhibiting artists are eligible for a $100.00 honorarium.
Artists are responsible for delivery, and pick-up of artwork. The artwork will be installed under the direction and support of the Scottsdale Public Art preparatory staff. Work must meet gallery standards, be professionally presented, and be ready to hang/install when brought for installation.
Please note: The artwork must be acceptable for all ages in this public gallery. Artwork is not for sale at the gallery. Purchase inquiries are directed to the artist and available after exhibitions close.
Your application must include the following:
• A paragraph of (no more than) 300 words, stating the intent of your work for this exhibition. Include your name on this document.
• Submit up to 8 artworks per individual artist. Submitting images this way helps us organize the exhibition and compile information for wall labels. If we cannot open the image files, the application will be rejected. Label each image file with: Lastname_Firstname_title_date
CALENDAR
Entry deadline via Submittable.com is 11:59 p.m., MST (AZ), May 4, 2026
IMPORTANT DATES FOR THE ARTIST
Exhibition Dates: July 9-September 30, 2026
Entry Deadline: May 4, 2026 Notification Date: May 8, 2026 Delivery of Artwork: July 1, 2026, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Scottsdale Civic Center Library. Pick-up date: October 1, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Civic Center Public Gallery
Canal Convergence 2026: Request for Temporary Public Art Proposals: Phase I
Download the RFP Info Packet and Site Map Information here:
Deadline: Thursday, April 9, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Arizona time (year-round daylight standard time).
Budget: We will accept budgets between $5,000 and $35,000 (USD).
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.
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona, USA.
Description: 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. 6–15, 2026. Of the final selected artworks (typically between 8 and 15 artworks), one project may be selected to remain installed at the Scottsdale Waterfront for an additional month after the Canal Convergence event dates. This call specifically targets outdoor, light-based installations. Nighttime presence/activation is required; daytime presence/activation is encouraged.
Artwork Considerations for Canal Convergence 2026:
The following are different types or formats of art installations and recommended directions that Canal Convergence looks for when selecting artworks.
- Artwork that speaks to the 2026 featured theme, Most Western.
- Artwork that is designed for interaction, enabling the public to physically engage with the installation and elicit a direct reaction.
- An interactive artwork that three or more people can activate/engage with at one time.
- Artwork that is designed to activate at timed intervals, or continuously with performances of light, sound, movement, etc.
- Modular artwork that can be installed in a variety of arrangements/orientations and topographies (gravel, grass, inclines, etc.).
- Artwork that can be suspended over the canal or over pathways, grass, etc.
- Artwork that is designed to float on the water in the Arizona canal.
- Artwork that does not require 24-hour security.
This call is Phase I of II. Phase I asks artists to focus on the proposal concept, images, rendering, and estimated total budget. Once Phase I closes on April 9, 2026, up to 30 proposals will be selected for Phase II. Phase II artists will be asked to provide more detailed information on their proposals via a 30-minute online interview and a Phase II questionnaire.
The collected information will be presented to a selection panel made up of event and community stakeholders for final review. Required information for Phase II will include, but is not limited to, a detailed timeline, itemized budget, support crew, heavy equipment, and power requirements, etc.
For more detailed information about this RFP and the installation site, visit CanalConvergence.com. It is highly recommended that you review both documents before you submit your proposal via Submittable. Download the RFP Info Packet and Site Map Information here: