P-25-36-ART Call to Artists RFQ SR-88 Roundabout

SPECIAL PROVISIONS AND
SPECIFICATIONS FOR CALL TO ARTISTS
RFQ: SR 88 ROUNDABOUT
Issue Date: Monday, March 30, 2026
Deadline for Submissions: Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 11:59pm Mountain time.
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RFQ: SR 88 ROUNDABOUT

CALL TO ARTISTS: SR 88 ROUNDABOUT
I. INTRODUCTION
The City of Apache Junction (“City”) is seeking a qualified public artist to design,
fabricate, and install public art within the center of the roundabout, located at
the intersection of State Route 88 (Apache Trail) and Superstition Boulevard. The
artist must work with city staff, Public Art Commissioners, City Council,
members of the Arizona Department of Transportation (“ADOT”), and the public
to create a vertical 3D artwork(s) that will serve as a landmark.
Qualifications are due April 30, 2026, and submittals shall include a written
statement of interest, work sample photos, an image description sheet, three (3)
professional references familiar with past five (5) years of work, and a resume
which illustrates public art projects previously commissioned, completed, and
paid for, highlighting those completed for a governmental agency and those
which involve a public component.
II. DESCRIPTION
The City of Apache Junction
(“City”) is seeking a qualified
public artist to design,
fabricate, and install public art
within the center of the
roundabout, located at the
intersection of State Route 88
(Apache Trail) and Superstition
Boulevard, which reflects the
character, landscape, and
culture of Apache Junction,
Arizona. For purposes of this
RFQ, an artist shall mean any
professional practitioner in the
arts, generally recognized by critics and peers as a professional in the field as
evidenced by his/her education, experience, and artwork production.
The artist will create a site-specific vertical landmark that can be viewed by drive-
by traffic while taking into consideration the backdrop of the iconic Superstition
Mountains. SR 88 is a well-traveled road that is a gateway to popular recreational
areas. The public artwork will be integrated within a hardscape that
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RFQ: SR 88 ROUNDABOUT

accommodates traffic safety signage and sightlines and shall be permanently
owned and maintained by the City. The artwork should be easily visible to
approaching vehicles without excessive detail that might encourage prolonged
attention or distraction. The design must avoid inviting pedestrian interaction,
as access to the center of the roundabout is strictly prohibited.
Artist will engage with community members and research the site location to
create, fabricate, and install a 3D landmark artwork that is within the budget,
durable to the elements, requires minimal maintenance, meets ADOT’s safety
requirements, and deters graffiti.
The budget allocation for this project is not to exceed $250,000, including costs
associated with the design, public involvement, materials, fabrication,
engineering costs, site preparation, and installation of the public art. Additional
expenses may include taxes, insurance, meeting costs, consultant costs,
transportation, storage of artwork prior to installation, and other associated
costs to complete the project.
This project is part of the City of Apache Junction’s Art in Public and Private
Development Program (APPD), funded by the city’s Arts in Public Places Fund
(APPF). The APPF is funded by an art fee integrated within qualified building
permit fees for new commercial and multi-family developments and renovations
of mixed-used or nonresidential buildings; No taxpayer funds are utilized to
support the city’s APPD.
Upon completion, the artwork shall include a plaque, the location of which shall
be determined jointly by the artist and city staff, not to exceed eighty (80) square
inches with the title, date, artist’s name, mayor and councilmembers, and the
words, “This artwork was made possible by the Apache Junction Public Art
Program”.
The artist will retain the artwork copyright while providing reserved licensing
and reproduction rights and will permit photography of artwork for use in
promotional materials. All reasonable efforts will be made to credit the artist in
promotions and when communicating with the media. The selected artist will be
asked to sign a contract that outlines the terms and conditions.
The artwork shall take into consideration the following principles:
1. Quality: The artwork demonstrates originality and excellence in design
and craftsmanship, which is shown through renderings, construction
documents, and fabrication.
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RFQ: SR 88 ROUNDABOUT

2. Response to Context: Be appropriate in scale, material, form, and
context for the immediate and general social and physical environments
with which they relate.
3. Durability: Include consideration of structural and surface integrity,
permanence, and protection against theft, vandalism, weathering, and
excessive maintenance and repair costs.
4. Integration: In addition to meeting aesthetic requirements, the artwork
should also serve to establish a focal point and enhance or define
community identity.
5. Safety: Not present a hazard or create unsafe conditions, but rather
obscure visibility which will reduce drivers’ speed in the roundabout.
6. Visibility: Be visible and accessible for the purposes of public
enjoyment and security, considering pedestrian and vehicular traffic,
lighting, future development, and vegetation growth.
7. Feasibility: Include consideration of the likelihood of successful
completion based on the project budget, timeline, artist experience, and
soundness of materials.
III. APPLICATION PROCESS
All materials must be submitted online at the Call for Artists Creative West CaFE
website at www.callforentry.org. There is no fee to apply. Late or incomplete
submissions will not be considered. Direct link to the call:
https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=17324
Deadline to apply: Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 11:59pm Mountain time.
For more information, please visit the City Public Art Program website at
https://www.apachejunctionaz.gov/1192/Current_Solicitations
Questions regarding this RFQ may be submitted until noon on Thursday, April
30, 2026, to:
Erika Hernandez, Planner; 480-474-5491;
ehernandez@apachejunctionaz.gov
Office hours are Monday—Thursday, 7:00am-6:00pm.
Closed Fridays and holidays.
For technical difficulties with the Call for Artists Creative West CaFE Website,
please contact https://www.callforentry.org/artist-help-cafe/. Please allow up
to 24 hours for a response from CaFE staff.
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RFQ: SR 88 ROUNDABOUT

IV. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Artists must submit qualifications that clearly demonstrate the artist’s
competence, qualifications, and relevant experience with public art. Artists
interested in being considered for State Route 88 Roundabout must submit the
following:
1. Statement of Interest: Describe your artistic practice and your
interest in public art, highlighting relevant experience.
2. Current Resume: Include relevant public art experience and
education. The resume should illustrate public art projects previously
commissioned, completed, and paid for, highlighting those completed
for a governmental agency and those which included a public
involvement component. Artists applying as a team must submit
resumes for all team members merged into one (1) PDF.
3. Work Samples: Six (6) to ten (10) images of past work. Do not include
text on the images.
a. File Type: JPEG or JPG
b. File Dimensions: 1,200 pixels or greater on the longest side.
c. File Size: Under 5 MB
d. Color Profile: sRGB
4. Image Description Sheet: Details MUST include image number, title,
year completed, medium, dimensions, location, budget, and
commissioning body (if applicable) on a combined page.
5. References: Include contact information for at least three (3)
professional references familiar with past five (5) years of work.
V. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
• At least eighteen (18) years of age.
• Residing in the State of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah,
California, Oregon, or Washington.
• Legally able to work in the United States.
• Have at least four (4) years of public art experience with municipalities
and organizations such as, but not limited to, local, state, and federal
government entities; public/private educational institutions; non-
profits; and corporate entities.
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RFQ: SR 88 ROUNDABOUT

• Have the ability to create durable artworks suitable for a harsh desert
environment.
• Not currently employed by the City, a member of the Public Art
Commission, or an immediate family member of City employees or
Commission members.
VI. EVALUATION CRITERIA
Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of qualified arts professionals,
community members, and municipal staff. During the evaluation process,
applicants will be scored using the following criteria:
EVALUATION CRITERIA POINTS
Artistic merit: Work samples shall demonstrate strong artistic merit in 25
conceptual approach, execution, and originality of concept.
Success with Past Projects: Resume demonstrates relevant experience, 15
including completing projects on time and within budget.
Community Engagement and Collaboration: Application materials 10
show experience or interest in engaging with the community and
collaborating with others.
Total 50
VII. IMPORTANT DATES
RFQ Release Monday, March 30, 2026
Deadline to Submit Thursday, April 30, 2026
Panel Review & Selection Monday, May 11, 2026
Artist Contract Due Monday, May 18, 2026
Design Submittal Due Monday, June 22, 2026
PAC Discussion & Recommendation Monday, July 13, 2026
PAC Discussion & Recommendation July Special Session TBD (if needed)
City Council Work Session Monday, August 3, 2026
City Council Consent Agenda Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Fabrication Completed Thursday, January 28, 2027
Installation Thursday, February 25, 2027
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RFQ: SR 88 ROUNDABOUT

VIII. ORGANIZATION DETAILS
The City of Apache Junction is located thirty-three (33) miles east of Downtown
Phoenix, within Pinal County. The City has a rich history and a unique legacy,
tracing back to its origins as a settlement near the intersection of the Apache
Trail and the original U.S. Route 60. The location was vital for transportation
and served as a gateway to the scenic and storied Superstition Mountains, an
area steeped in legend and mystery. With a population of 42,000, Apache
Junction’s community is steadily growing. New residents are drawn to the area’s
natural beauty, affordable living, and opportunities for outdoor recreation.
City of Apache Junction
300 East Superstition Boulevard
Apache Junction, AZ 85119
https://www.apachejunctionaz.gov/1185/Art-in-Public-and-Private-
Development-AP
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RFQ: SR 88 ROUNDABOUT