2027 Temporary Public Art -Trailhead Sculpture

The City of Santa Clarita, California, invites artists to submit one entry for the 2026-2027 Temporary Public Art - Trailhead Sculpture program. If a artist submits more than one artwork for consideration, they will be disqualified. The City will display two selected sculptures from two different artists on permanent concrete pads along the City's scenic trail system for a two-and-a-half-year exhibition cycle.

The total compensation package per selected artist is $8,500, which includes a $5,000 honorarium, a $2,000 engineering stipend, and a $1,500 insurance allowance. Artists of all backgrounds and experience levels, including emerging artists, are strongly encouraged to apply. Local Santa Clarita artists or those with a meaningful connection to the area are welcome, though it is not a requirement for selection.

The City of Santa Clarita, California, invites artists to submit one entry for the 2026-2027 Temporary Public Art - Trailhead Sculpture program. If an artist submits more than one artwork for consideration, they will be disqualified. The City will display two selected sculptures from two different artists on permanent concrete pads along the City's scenic trail system for a two-and-a-half-year exhibition cycle.

The total compensation package per selected artist is $8,500, which includes a $5,000 honorarium, a $2,000 engineering stipend, and a $1,500 insurance allowance. Artists of all backgrounds and experience levels, including emerging artists, are strongly encouraged to apply. Local Santa Clarita artists or those with a meaningful connection to the area are welcome, though it is not a requirement for selection.

 GENERAL INFORMATION

The City of Santa Clarita is centrally located just 30 minutes north of downtown Los Angeles. Celebrated for its focus on outdoor recreation and community health, the City boasts more than 12,000 acres of protected rolling open space and 100 miles of picturesque trails and paseos. These paths are designed for both daily commuting and recreational activities like walking, cycling, jogging, and skating.

The regional river trail serves as the backbone of this comprehensive trail network, connecting residents directly to local parks, entertainment venues, and shopping districts. The Trailhead Sculpture Program places high-quality, engaging artwork directly into these active community spaces, enhancing the natural environment for thousands of daily trail users.

PROJECT GUIDELINES AND SPECIFICATIONS:

•        Exhibition Dates: June 30, 2027 - March 31, 2030 (2.5 years).

•        Concrete Pad Dimensions: Foundation pads measure 96" x 96", with a usable structural footprint of 72" x 72". Foundation pads sit either flush with the surrounding dirt or are raised up to a few inches. A horizontal sculpture base may utilize the maximum length of the pad, provided its width stays within the usable parameters.

•        Height: Sculptures should be a minimum of 6 feet tall and a maximum of 15 feet tall.

•        Weight: Total weight must not exceed 3,000 pounds.

•        Site Utilities: Onsite electrical power is unavailable. If the artwork relies on lighting or moving elements, a self-contained solar component must be integrated into the design.

•        Durability and Safety: Artwork must be structurally sound and built from highly durable materials capable of surviving an exposed desert environment, including intense heat, UV exposure, and high winds. Designs must be inherently resistant to theft, vandalism, climbing, and excessive maintenance.

•        Public Safety and ADA: Artworks must not present sharp, low-hanging, or trapping hazards to public trail users. Pieces must conform to standard public safety and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) clearance protocols (e.g., no loose or low-lying components that block the pathway or create tripping hazards).

•        Content Restrictions: Works must be suitable for an all-ages civic audience. Pieces may not feature commercial advertisements, branding, trademarked symbols, intellectual property breaches, or depictions of drugs/illegal substances.

COMPENSATION

Selected artists will receive a total financial package of $8,500, broken down into the following categories:

•        Honorarium: $5,000 for the two-and-a-half-year loan period.

•        Engineering Stipend: $2,000 to cover California-licensed engineering review.

•        Insurance Stipend: $1,500 to offset the cost of maintaining the required general liability coverage for the full exhibition span.

Payment Schedule

•        First Payment (50%): Issued upon full execution of the Public Art Contract.

•        Second Payment (50%): Issued upon successful on-site installation and final approval by City staff.

Artist Responsibilities Covered by Budget:

•       All costs associated with the design, structural fabrication, insurance, and transportation of the sculpture.

•        Must maintain general liability insurance coverage and provide an updated policy yearly to the City of Santa Clarita with the additional endorsement of primary and non-contributory.

•        The City requires structural plans, anchorage details, and calculations prepared and stamped by a California licensed Civic or Structural Engineer. City staff will work with the artist to gather the required documentation. The artist is required to provide this information in a timely manner and be available for questions or meetings with City staff and the Engineer. Delivery to the site and eventual removal/pick-up of the artwork at the end of the loan period. Providing a comprehensive maintenance guide detailing cleaning, care, and surface upkeep.

•        Applying defensive protective coatings (such as anti-graffiti or UV-protectant clear coats) if deemed necessary.

•        All personal travel, lodging, and accommodation expenses during installation and deinstallation.

Note: The City of Santa Clarita retains a 25% commission on any artwork sold to the public during the formal exhibition period. The artwork must remain on display for the full duration of the contract regardless of sale status.

ENGINEERING, INSURANCE, AND INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS

Engineering Standards - The City requires stamped structural installation drawings and anchor instructions from a California-licensed professional engineer before any work can be bolted down. City staff will assist in coordinating site data, but the artist is directly responsible for delivering structural calculations and anchoring schemas in a timely fashion.

Installation Requirements - Sculptures must be pre-fabricated with built-in metal tabs, base plates, or anchoring brackets that allow the structure to secure into the existing concrete pads. The pre-existing concrete foundations cannot be cut, poured over, or structurally altered, save for drilling the necessary anchor bolt locations. Secure, standard anchoring is required to resist seismic activity and heavy wind loads.

Insurance Requirements - Artists must maintain general liability insurance coverage naming the City of Santa Clarita as an additional endorsement of primary and non-contributory for the entire duration the artwork sits on City property.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

The Artist Selection Committee will judge submissions based on the following weighted benchmarks:

•        Visual Impact and Craftsmanship: Structural integrity, quality of materials, and immediate aesthetic presence along the trail system.

•        Interpretation and Originality: Creativity, innovation, and strength of artistic vision.

•        Community Relationship: How well the piece responds to the community of Santa Clarita.

•        Clarity of Intent: Alignment of the artist's statement and proposal with the practical, physical constraints of the site.

•        Compliance: Meeting all baseline design guidelines, eligibility requirements, and dimensional rules.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES FOR ARTISTS

Artists are highly encouraged to explore these local links to better understand the community, landscape, and existing civic art collection of Santa Clarita:

•        City of Santa Clarita - www.santa-clarita.com

•        SantaClaritaArts.com - http://santaclaritaarts.com/

•        Public Art App - https://scpublicart.goodbarber.com/

•        Visit Santa Clarita - http://visitsantaclarita.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation/bike-rentals/

•        Demographics - https://www.santa-clarita.com/city-hall/departments/community-development/demographics

•        Community Profile - https://www.santa-clarita.com/city-hall/30th-anniversary

1.     Resume/CV: Current professional resume documenting past public art placements, exhibitions, or relevant experience.

2.     Proposed Design Images: Up to five (5) high-quality images of one proposed sculpture. This can include digital renderings, multi-angle drawings, or photos of the finished piece if it is already constructed.

3.     Prior Work Samples (Attached as PDF): A compiled document featuring up to five (5) examples of past completed art pieces to demonstrate exhibition history. Do not include prior work samples in your images list. 

4.      Sculpture Description and Maintenance Statement: A written statement indicating materials used, exact dimensions, weight, history of the material's exterior performance, and a suggested routine maintenance schedule.

5.     Application Questions (To be filled out in the CaFE text fields):

o       Question 1: Please provide your professional Artistic Statement.

o        Question 2: What interests you most about the Temporary Public Art - Trailhead Sculpture Program?

• One entry per artist.
• Open to all individual artists or artist teams aged 18 or older.
• Applicants must hold a valid United States mailing address to process contractual payments and must submit a completed W-9 form upon selection.
• Local Santa Clarita artists or artists with a demonstrated connection to the Santa Clarita Valley are highly encouraged to apply.