City of Santa Rosa Public Art Walk 2027 - 2029

The City of Santa Rosa Public Art Program is excited to announce a call for up to 10 temporary art installations for the 2027- 2029 Santa Rosa Public Art Walk, themed, Inspired by.... This initiative aims to transform our downtown into a vibrant, open-air gallery that celebrates creativity and sparks imagination.   

About Santa Rosa Arts and Culture 

The City of Santa Rosa Arts & Culture program believes artists play an essential role in shaping vibrant, welcoming and memorable communities. Through public art, exhibitions, temporary installations, artist opportunities and creative partnerships, we bring art into the places where people live, work, gather and explore.

Our growing public art program creates opportunities for artists to transform civic spaces, parks, streetscapes and unexpected places throughout Santa Rosa. From large-scale sculptures and interactive installations to murals, artist-designed infrastructure and temporary works, we seek projects that spark curiosity, celebrate diverse perspectives and create meaningful connections between people and place.

Santa Rosa is located in the heart of Sonoma County, surrounded by an extraordinary creative community and a landscape known around the world. As the largest city in California’s North Bay, Santa Rosa offers artists the opportunity to create work that reaches a broad and diverse audience while contributing to the cultural identity of a dynamic and evolving city.

We welcome artists at different stages of their careers and encourage bold ideas, new voices and creative approaches. Whether you are an emerging artist seeking your first public art opportunity or an established artist looking to bring an ambitious vision to a new audience, we invite you to explore our calls for art and help shape Santa Rosa through creativity.

Call for Art: Santa Rosa Public Art Walk 2027- 2029

Theme: Inspired by…
The City of Santa Rosa Public Art Program invites artists to submit original, previously completed artworks for the 2027–2029 Santa Rosa Temporary Art Walk. Selected artworks will remain on display for approximately two years, from October 2027 through September 2029.

The theme, Inspired by…, celebrates the many people, places, cultures, traditions, histories, and creative movements that shape artistic expression. Artists are encouraged to submit works inspired by the artistic traditions, techniques, stories, and visual languages that have influenced their practice.

Inspiration may come from a wide range of sources, including Mexican and Latin American, Indigenous, African, Asian, folk, and other cultural and artistic traditions from around the world, as well as influential artists, historic art movements, and contemporary practices.

Up to 10 temporary public artworks will be selected for installation throughout Downtown Santa Rosa and Railroad Square. Together, the artworks will transform the area into an engaging open-air gallery that reflects the diversity of artistic influences, cultural traditions, and creative perspectives found within Santa Rosa and beyond.

Whether honoring a cultural tradition, drawing inspiration from an artist or community, reimagining a historic art form, exploring ancestral influences, or bringing traditional techniques into contemporary expression, selected artworks should invite visitors to discover the stories and inspirations behind the art.

Through Inspired by…, the Temporary Art Walk will celebrate both the diversity of artistic expression and the connections between culture, history, place, and creativity.

Program Goals
1.  Foster Civic Excitement: Enhance Downtown Santa Rosa with artwork that engages and delights the community while building local pride and enthusiasm.
2. Encourage Creativity: Provide a platform for innovative and imaginative artwork and contribute to Santa Rosa’s growing reputation as a leading creative hub in Northern California.
3. Make Art Education Accessible: Introduce audiences of all ages to influential artists and artistic movements through engaging public artworks that spark curiosity and learning.
4. Transform Public Spaces: Use art to invigorate and beautify downtown spaces, turning everyday locations into dynamic cultural destinations.

5. Inspire Curiosity and Learning: Encourage audiences to discover the stories, cultures, artists, traditions, and ideas that inspire each artwork, fostering greater understanding and appreciation of diverse forms of creative expression.

Eligibility
This opportunity is open to artists and artist teams residing or working in the United States who are 18 years of age or older. Submissions must feature original, previously completed artworks. Proposals for artworks that have not yet been created will not be accepted.

Artist Stipend
Each selected artist or artist team will receive a $5,000 stipend to exhibit their artwork for the two-year installation period. The stipend is intended to cover artist expenses associated with the project, including transportation, installation, deinstallation, required materials, labor, and insurance.

Artwork Locations and Installation
Selected artworks will be installed at locations throughout Downtown Santa Rosa and Railroad Square. Exact locations will be determined by the City based on the dimensions, installation requirements, visibility, accessibility, and overall suitability of each artwork.

Artists are responsible for providing the materials and labor necessary to install and deinstall their artwork unless otherwise agreed upon in advance. City assistance may be available upon request.

All artwork must be suitable for an outdoor public setting and able to withstand weather, environmental conditions, and public interaction for the duration of the exhibition. Installation methods and hardware must meet City safety and engineering requirements.

Submission Requirements
Applicants must submit the following materials:
1. Artwork Images and Videos Submit up to three artworks, with a maximum of three images showing different views of each artworks. Applicants may also submit up to three videos.
2. Artwork List and Description For each submitted artwork, provide the title, completion date, medium, dimensions, weight, and a brief description.
3. Theme Statement Submit a statement of no more than 150 words explaining how the artwork responds to the theme, Inspired by... Identify the artist, artwork, style, technique, or artistic movement that influenced the work. Supporting photographs may be included when applicable.
4. Installation Plan Provide a detailed installation plan that includes the artwork’s dimensions and weight, proposed installation method, hardware specifications, equipment needs, and any anticipated site considerations. All installation materials and labor are the responsibility of the artist unless otherwise approved by the City.
5. Artist Resume Include relevant artistic experience, professional background, exhibitions, commissions, and public art experience, if applicable.

Selection Process
Applications will first be reviewed by the Arts & Culture Manager to confirm that submission requirements have been met.
Eligible applications will then be evaluated by a five-member Selection Panel consisting of:
• Two members of the Art in Public Places Committee
• One City staff member
• Two members of the arts community

The Selection Panel will evaluate submissions based on:
• Artistic merit and quality
• Connection to the Inspired by.. theme
• Creativity and innovation
• Suitability for an outdoor public setting
• Installation feasibility, structural considerations, and public safety
• Contribution to the diversity and overall impact of the exhibition

The panel will recommend up to 10 artworks and as many as three alternates to the Art in Public Places Committee. The Committee will review and approve the final selections.

The Art in Public Places Committee reserves the right to decline any or all submissions or recommendations and may authorize the Call for Art to be reissued if additional candidates are needed.

Estimated Project Timeline
• Project plan approved: August 3, 2026
• Call for Art published: October 1, 2026
• Application deadline: December 15, 2026
• Application review and selection process: January–March 2027
• Selection recommendations presented to the Art in Public Places Committee: April 2027
• Selected artists and alternates notified: April 2027
• Artist contracts: May–July 2027
• Artwork installation: October 2027
• Artwork deinstallation: September 2029

1. Images: one artwork per application, with 3 views each (3 applications maximum).
2. Image List & Description: Include title, date, medium, dimensions, weight
3. Statement on “Inspired by...”: A 150-word maximum statement explaining how your work reflects the theme. Include photos if applicable.
4. Art Installation Plan: Detailed plan including size, weight, installation method, and hardware specifications. All installation materials and labor are the responsibility of the artist. Depending on artwork, stamped engineering drawings may be required.
5. Artist Resume: Include relevant experience and background information.

US Based Artists, 18 and older.