Call For Artists: San Rafael Temporary Sculpture Exhibition

The City of San Rafael and San Rafael Arts invite artists and artist teams to apply for a one-year sculpture exhibition in the city’s Arts District. We are seeking one (1) existing large- or medium-scale sculpture to be featured prominently at the front entrance of City Hall from August 2027 to August 2028. Downtown San Rafael is proudly designated as one of California's official Cultural Districts by the California Arts Council.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: November 20, 2026; 5:00 PM PT

EXHIBITION DETAILS & COMPENSATION

The City of San Rafael and San Rafael Arts are seeking an existing large- or medium scale sculpture for a temporary, one-year display at the front entrance of City Hall. 

Artist Stipend: $5,000 - $7,000

This inclusive stipend covers all artist-related expenses, including structural engineering, any modifications required to prepare the sculpture for outdoor display, round-trip transportation, labor for installation and deinstallation, insurance, and routine maintenance or repairs required throughout the one-year exhibition period.

Provided at no cost to the artist:

·      Rental of heavy equipment for installation and deinstallation (excluding equipment operators)

·      City permits, inspections, and fees

·      Temporary Signage 

TEMPORARY SCULPTURE CRITERIA

All submitted artwork must comply with the City’s Public Art Review Guidelines and meet the following specifications:

·      Dimensions: Sculptures (including any base or pedestal) must have a minimum height of 8 feet and a maximum height of 18 feet. Width cannot exceed 9 feet.

·      Weight: The maximum allowable weight is 3,000 pounds.

·      Viewing Requirements: Sculptures must be designed for in-the-round viewing, allowing accessibility from all sides within the installation setting.

·      Installation Base: Artwork must be freestanding or designed to anchor securely to a concrete pad. The artist must supply their own installation base/concrete pad if required for the sculpture.

·      Materials: Sculptures must be constructed of durable, weather-resistant materials suitable for long-term outdoor display, capable of withstanding local environmental factors such as high winds, heavy rain, intense sun, and seasonal temperature variations.

·      Safety & Structural Integrity: Sculptures must be structurally sound and pose zero risk to the public. The City reserves the right to exclude works that are unsafe, unstable, in poor condition, or otherwise unsuitable for the exhibition environment.

·      Artist Presence & Timeline: Artists (or their designated representatives) must be present on-site for both installation and deinstallation. Works must arrive fully assembled or require only minimal on-site assembly for a safe, efficient setup. Artists must commit to the full 12-month exhibition period (precise installation and strike dates will be coordinated with the selected artist).

TIMING

The schedule below outlines the estimated timeline from the initial call for artists through final artwork installation. (Please note that dates are subject to change.)

ENVIRONMENT/LOCATION

·      Location & Visuals: Images of the current artwork on display at the site can be viewed directly on the CaFÉ application page.

·      Questions & Inquiries: Questions regarding this call may be submitted via email until 12:00 PM PT on the application deadline date. Please email info@localeditioncreative.com with the subject line: San Rafael Call For Sculptures.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZERS & PARTNERS

San Rafael & San Rafael Arts: 
Nestled in the heart of Marin County, the City of San Rafael boasts a rich, eclectic cultural community. San Rafael Arts is a collaboration among downtown arts and cultural organizations, businesses, the City of San Rafael, and the community to celebrate and expand the region's distinct creative identity. Downtown San Rafael is proudly designated as one of California's official Cultural Districts by the California Arts Council, serving as a dynamic hub for public art, creativity, and community connection.

sanrafaelarts.org

Local Edition Creative:
Local Edition Creative is a San Francisco Bay Area-based creative studio with over a decade of experience delivering more than 200 projects, including murals, sculpture programs, and civic cultural initiatives.

Local Edition has a successful record of partnering with municipalities to pioneer impactful public programs, currently facilitating the City of San Rafael’s public art program within its designated California Cultural District. Additionally, Local Edition’s landmark partnership with the City of Concord earned the prestigious 2024 Helen Putnam Award for Excellence from the League of California Cities. Most recently we leveraged our nonprofit (Three Thirty-Three Arts) for bringing a global and acclaimed exhibition to the Bay Area - The Great Elephant Migration. 

localeditioncreative.com

 

All applications must be submitted through CAFÉ. Applications that do not meet the requirements and are not submitted through CAFÉ will not be accepted. Artists must submit the following:

1. Statement of Interest:
   • What draws you to this project? Your artist statement is a key part of the review process. Be intentional; it does not need to be lengthy.
2. Resume or CV of your completed artworks.
3. Examples of work:
   • Upload 3-6 images of the artwork you are submitting for consideration. Photos submitted must reflect the artwork’s current condition.
   • Acceptable file types: .jpg, .png, .pdf. Please ensure your uploaded images are good quality and large enough to see detail, up to 5MB.
   • Include specs, year completed, and medium.
   • You may link to a short video of a project as well (under ten seconds in length).

Construction Overview:

• Include an overview of addressing the artwork’s durability in regards to exposure to the elements and public safety

ARTIST SELECTION PROCESS

The curatorial team comprises Local Edition Creative, the City of San Rafael, and stakeholders of the San Rafael Arts committee. Selections are based on application completeness, project criteria, and artist qualifications. Representatives may contact finalists for clarification. Selected artists are responsible for managing all logistics to and from San Rafael, CA, as well as providing the necessary labor for setup and striking.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Eligibility is open to individual artists and artist teams residing in California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.

The artworks commissioned will:

·      Comply with the City’s Public Art Review Guidelines

·      Compliment the site setting, architectural design elements, and be appropriate in scale, media, and context

·      Create a memorable impression of San Rafael as Marin County’s arts hub

·      Feature rigid construction capable of withstanding extended outdoor public display. A construction overview of durability is required with your submission. For some structures or sculptures, it may be required to provide stamped engineering drawings.