City of Apache Junction — RFQ: SR 88 Roundabout Sculpture

The City of Apache Junction 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.

The City of Apache Junction 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 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.
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.

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

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.
   • File Type: JPEG or JPG
   • File Dimensions: 1,200 pixels or greater on the longest side.
   • File Size: Under 5 MB
   • 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 and/or academic references familiar with past five (5) years of work.

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.

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.

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

• 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.
• 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.

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: