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Temporary Public Arts Program Call for Artists 2024-2026

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  • Temporary Public Arts Program Call for Artists 2024-2026

The City and its Public Arts Commission are seeking applications for the 2024-2026 Temporary Public Arts Rotation. The Temporary Public Arts Program is a unique opportunity for artists to showcase their works of art in a high-traffic urban and ocean-view environment attracting Solana Beach residents as well as tourists from around the world. Artists are invited to submit sculptures of various sizes for consideration for a one-year exhibition. 

The program aims to select five (5) pieces to be displayed at highly visible, designated temporary public art sites spread across the beautiful coastal community. If selected, the artist will receive a $3,000 stipend for a two-year loan. 

All proposals must be received by the city no later than Monday, September 16, 2024 at 5:30 PM. Please submit the following as part of your proposal:

  • Completed Application
  • Image of Proposed Artwork – see Q&A below for requirements.
  • Artists may only submit one proposed piece of artwork per application

Click the button below to submit your proposal. Read on for questions and answers about the program requirements.

Click Here to Apply!

For more information on the program and requirements, please contact Kayla Moshki at (858) 720-2438 or kmoshki@cosb.org.  

What kinds of sculptures will be considered?

The City seeks a unique exhibit of Public Art emphasizing a variety of styles, types, sizes, and a diverse pool of artists. The Selection Committee will consider only artwork made of high-quality materials, which can withstand the natural elements (humidity, corrosion, etc.) of coastal Southern California for a minimum of two years.

In addition, consideration will be given to structural and surface integrity, protection against theft and vandalism, and minimal to no maintenance.

Only completed works will be considered. Proposals or works in progress will NOT be considered.

Artists may submit multiple sculptures for consideration. Each sculpture must be submitted as a separate application.

What is the Application Process?

All submissions must be made online using the SurveyMonkey platform. Do not send applications directly to the City of Solana Beach. Sculpture submission deadline is Monday, September 16, 2024 at 5:30 PM PST.

Application Link: www.surveymonkey.com/r/temporarypublicarts

A completed application includes the following:

  • Complete Artist Information.
  • An image or series that illustrates the proposed art piece. (Jpeg or PDF format)
  • A brief artist statement describing the design intent and how it may complement our community program.
  • Artist biography (maximum 1 page)
  • Resume, maximum 2 pages total (optional but preferred).

If proposing a specific location, explain how the artwork relates to the context of the proposed location. Proposing a specific location is optional and at the discretion of the artist). The City cannot confirm a specific location will be provided.

Artists may submit multiple sculptures for consideration. Each sculpture must be submitted as a separate application.

Where are the art sites located?

The Temporary Public Arts Program aims to highlight works of art that will be seen by both residents and visitors alike on pedestrian pathways and traffic boulevards.

A Google map of the five (5) locations can be viewed by clicking here.

A description of each location can be viewed below.

1. Highland Drive

  • This temporary art site is the newest location for the program and is located within the newly constructed median center divide on Highland Drive in front of the main entrance to the Lomas Santa Fe Country Club. This temporary art site is highly visible for both vehicles and pedestrians.
  • This location sits close to a busy 4-way stop sign that connects Rancho Santa Fe to Solana Beach, in addition to leading to the main entrance to San Dieguito County Park and to Lomas Santa Fe Country Club. The location allows for a larger - taller - kinetic installation and has full sun exposure. This location will be surrounded by drought tolerate landscaping.

2. San Andres Drive

  • This temporary art site is located at the south side of the 3-way stop sign (a T-intersection) at San Andres Drive and Las Banderas Drive. This temporary art site is highly visible for both vehicles and pedestrians.
  • This location sits at a busy intersection of residential neighborhoods and the Lomas Santa Fe Plaza, a popular Solana Beach shopping center. The art pad is located slightly within the hillside and is visible from long distances on Las Banderas Drive. The location allows for a larger - taller - kinetic installation and has full sun exposure. This location is surrounded by drought tolerate landscaping, in addition to the natural landscaping of the hillside behind it.

3. San Rodolfo Drive

  • This temporary art site is located within the Solana Beach Town Center on San Rodolfo Drive at the southwest corner of the 4-way stop sign. This temporary art site is highly visible for both vehicles and pedestrians.
  • This site is unique for the pedestrian friendly walkway that encircles the concrete base enabling a full 360-degree view of the artwork. This site has an ideal southern exposure and has no sunlight obstruction. 

4. Lomas Santa Fe Median

  • This temporary art site is in the median center divide on Lomas Santa Fe Drive in front of Skyline Elementary School.
  • This site is unique for its prominent location in the center of a high traffic street near a school entrance. This site does not allow pedestrian access and can only be viewed from passing cars or the sidewalks on either side of the 4-lane roadway from a distance.

5. Seascape Sur Beach Access

  • This temporary art site is within the Seascape Sur Beach public access way, located at 501 S. Sierra Avenue, which can be found between the Seascape Sur Condos and the Solana Beach Tennis Club on South Sierra Avenue.
  • This site is located halfway down a popular public beach accessway that has complimentary landscaping and lighting. This site allows direct access to the artwork and is in the same area where a future park bench is to be placed. The area is partially shaded by the adjacent residential development and retaining wall, but also provides the opportunity to be both a welcoming object and a photo opportunity as beachgoers make their way to and from the ocean.
Can the artists select a preferred location?

Artists may, but are not required to, specify a preferred location. If identifying a specific location, artists must describe how a proposed artwork responds to the context of the specific location. The City will consider locations proposed by artists but retains the right to locate any artwork at any potential locations.

If proposing a design for a specific location, please note the location number designated on the temporary public art map.

How will the sculpture be installed?

All artwork will be installed on a designated 4’ x 4’ concrete pad with a custom 3’ x 3’ (36” x 36”) metal base plate.

Metal Base Plate Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 36 inches x 36 inches.
  • Thickness: 3/4 inch.
  • Contains multiple 5/8-inch holes to accommodate various artwork base sizes:
    • 6 inches x 6 inches
    • 12 inches x 12 inches
    • 18 inches x 18 inches
    • 24 inches x 24 inches
    • 30 inches x 30 inches

Artist Responsibilities:

  • Transporting artworks to and from the site according to the contract schedule.
  • Bringing any specialty equipment necessary to safely secure the artwork to the metal base.
  • Preparing artworks in advance to be properly and safely secured to the metal plate and the concrete pad.
  • Ensuring artworks are sturdy enough to withstand the site's climactic environments (cold, heat, humidity, salt air, wind, etc.) for the entire two-year duration of the exhibit

City Assistance:

The City of Solana Beach’s Public Works crew will assist and guide artists in installation and safe removal of the artwork

Will a stipend be provided?

Yes. Selected artists will receive an honorarium of $3,000 in exchange for a two-year loan of their artwork. It shall be used to cover transportation of the artwork to and from the temporary art site in Solana Beach and fees for on-site installation and removal. The City of Solana Beach would be available to assist and guide the Artist in installation and removal.

What is the selection process?

Applications will be evaluated and selected by the Solana Beach Public Arts Commission and City Staff. The selection committee will determine specific locations for artworks within the approved sites.

Only completed works will be considered. Proposals or works in progress will NOT be considered.

Review criteria include:

  • Artistic Merit: Artists shall have established or growing professional qualifications, high quality artwork that demonstrates originality and artistic excellence + uniqueness.
  • Durability: The Selection Committee will consider only artwork made of high-quality materials, which can withstand the natural elements (humidity, corrosion, etc.) of coastal Southern California for a minimum of two years. Consideration will be given to structural and surface integrity, protection against theft and vandalism, and minimal to no maintenance.
  • Meets Minimum Requirements: Artworks must be available for the duration of the exhibition period and be prepared for installation, in most cases, on a concrete foundation or footings. Artworks, when installed, will be readily visible from their locations. Artworks shall be appropriate for audiences of all ages.
  • Site Responsiveness: Artwork should be appropriate in scale, material, and content for the immediate, general, social, and physical environments to which they relate. Artworks will be installed in unsupervised areas and must not exhibit unsafe conditions or factors that may bear on public liability, as members of the public may come into direct contact with the piece.

To preserve the validity and integrity of the selection process, no applicant may contact any member of the selection committee, City Staff, Public Arts Commission, or the City Council until the entire process is complete, and the City Council has rendered its decision. All decisions are final. Please direct any queries to City Staff through email to kmoshki@cosb.org.

What is the schedule?

Artist Call Open: July 8, 2024

Application Deadline: September 16, 2024 at 5:30 PM PST

Selection Review: September 24, 2024

Artist(s) Notification by City: The week of September 30 - October 4, 2024

Installation Timeframe: October-November 2024

Removal Timeframe: October-November 2026

What are the terms of the Temporary Public Arts Program?
  1. All entries must be the original design and artwork of the applicant. Entries that use a copyrighted or trademarked image will not be accepted. Entries must not be plagiarized, stolen, or copied. Artists may submit art that is owned by the artist; the art concept does not have to be original solely for this call for art. 
  2. Images of artwork other than the submitted piece will be removed from consideration. Artwork must match and arrive in the same condition as the images provided in the application, or they can be subject to rejection.
  3. Artwork created under this program is considered temporary artwork and the property of the City of Solana Beach. The City retains the right to remove, modify, or replace artwork at its discretion.
  4. The artist’s name, artwork title, and photo of artwork may be featured on the City of Solana Beach website and other promotional materials.
  5. The City of Solana Beach retains sole authority to determine which, if any, art box designs will be installed and the locations of where each artwork will be installed.
  6. Submissions will be reviewed and selected by the Solana Beach Public Arts Commission and City Staff.
More information

Please direct all questions to Kayla Moshki, Management Analyst, at kmoshki@cosb.org.

Please Note: To preserve the validity and integrity of the selection process, no applicant may contact any member of the selection committee, City Staff, Public Arts Commission, or the City Council until the entire process is complete, and the City Council has rendered its decision. All decisions are final. Please direct any queries to City Staff through email to kmoshki@cosb.org.

City of Solana Beach Temporary Public Art Program 2024-2026 RFP