2026 SaludArte Request for Qualifications (RFQ)
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HOW TO APPLY
This public art opportunity is open to artists and artist teams living in Pima County.
Carefully review the eligibility, expectations, and scope of this opportunity prior to submitting your application. Guidelines: https://artsfoundtucson.org/2026-saludarte/
Prepare Application
- Prepare your artist statement. The statement must describe your qualifications for this position; your motivation to work with community; and your interest in this particular project theme. Your artist statement is a key part of the review process. We encourage you to be thoughtful and intentional when writing it. (300 word limit)
- Prepare your resume. Two page maximum. Acceptable file types: .doc, .docx, .pdf
- Prepare six (6) samples of your artwork. Artwork samples must represent completed work by the applicant(s). Proposals or renderings will not be accepted. Acceptable file types: .gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .png., .doc, .docx, .pdf, .m4a, .mp3, .wav, .mp4, .mpg, .ppt, .pptx. For each sample submitted, if applicable, please include the title, date, location, dimensions, materials used, budget, and your role in the project.
NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
The Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona (Arts Foundation) does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, color, country of origin, religion, sex, gender, disability, or any other category protected under state or federal law. This non-discrimination statement applies to all activities of Arts Foundation, including employment opportunities, grant awards, and community engagement opportunities.
CÓMO APLICAR
Esta oportunidad de arte público está abierta a todos los artistas profesionales y equipos de artistas en el condado de Pima. Revise cuidadosamente la elegibilidad, las expectativas y el alcance de esta oportunidad antes de presentar su solicitud. Lineamientos: https://artsfoundtucson.org/2026-saludarte/
Prepare su solicitud
- Prepare su declaración del artista. La declaración debe describir sus cualificaciones para este puesto, su motivación para trabajar con la comunidad y su interés en el tema específico de este proyecto. Su declaración es una parte clave del proceso de revisión. Le recomendamos ser reflexivo e intencional al redactarla. (Límite de 300 palabras)
- Prepare su currículum. Dos páginas como máximo. Tipos de archivo aceptables: .doc, .docx, .pdf
- Prepare seis (6) muestras de obras de arte. Las muestras deben representar trabajos terminados por el solicitante. No se aceptarán propuestas ni renders. Tipos de archivo aceptables: .gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .doc, .docx, .pdf, .m4a, .mp3, .wav, .mp4, .mpg, .ppt, .pptx. Por cada muestra presentada, si aplica, incluya el título, la fecha, el lugar, las dimensiones, los materiales utilizados, el presupuesto y su papel en el proyecto.
DECLARACIÓN DE NO DISCRIMINACIÓN
Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona (Arts Foundation) no discrimina por motivos de raza, etnia, color, país de origen, religión, sexo, género, discapacidad, o cualquier otra categoría protegida por las leyes estatales o federales. Esta declaración de no discriminación se aplica a todas las actividades de Arts Foundation, incluidas las oportunidades de empleo, la adjudicación de subvenciones y las oportunidades de participación comunitaria.
2026 SaludArte Request for Qualifications (RFQ)
Are you a collaborative artist who loves teaching, learning, and creating with community members? The Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona, in partnership with the Pima County Health Department, invites artists and artist teams to lead community-driven art projects that help reduce stigma around substance use. We are seeking artists who are passionate about working directly with people with lived experience with substance misuse to co-create meaningful, accessible artwork that sparks conversation, builds connections, and contributes to healing in Pima County.
This opportunity is open to all artists and artist teams committed to collaborative, community-centered practices. We welcome all artistic approaches, including installation, performance, film, sound, murals, Indigenous practices, and participatory work. Selected artists will work with a paid cohort of individuals with lived experience of substance misuse to co-create and present work to the public in summer 2026.
SALUDARTE PROGRAM VISION
The Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona and the Pima County Health Department unite public health and the arts to reduce stigma by fostering connection and understanding within communities. Through creative expression and highlighting lived experiences, we aim to build strong, empathetic connections that bridge gaps and dissolve barriers. SaludArte envisions inclusive spaces where every individual feels connected, valued, and supported.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona, in partnership with the Pima County Health Department, seeks to commission an artist or artist team to develop a community-driven art project that addresses substance use stigma in Pima County.
The Work
This project will commission an artist or artist team to work with a cohort of community members who have lived experience with substance misuse to create artwork that challenges stigma and builds understanding throughout communities in Pima County. Artwork shaped by community knowledge and lived experience has the power to create meaningful dialogue, foster connection, and contribute to healing through community voices and perspectives. The project positions art as a tool for dialogue, connection, and public understanding. Together, this cohort will develop artwork that will spark conversations about substance use, increases acceptance of available resources, and, overall, promotes positive health outcomes among people who use drugs (PWUD), service providers, and the broader community.
Artistic Approaches
Appropriate artwork media for this project include a wide range of collaborative and community-driven practices, such as temporary or site-responsive installations; performance and spoken word; film and digital storytelling; sound and music-based work; murals and graphic interventions; and social or participatory practices where interaction itself is the primary medium. Hybrid and interdisciplinary approaches are encouraged, especially those that prioritize shared authorship, accessibility, and public engagement. All media should support dialogue, reflection, and connection, and be adaptable to community spaces and public settings, rather than focused on permanent objects alone.
Community Showcase
The project will culminate in Summer 2026 with a public presentation or event organized by the artist and cohort, with support from the Arts Foundation and Pima County Health. The event will showcase the collaborative work and invite broader community engagement with the themes and stories that emerged through the process.
This initiative is the third iteration of SaludArte, a public art and public health collaboration that supports artist-led projects at the intersection of community engagement, equity, and public health practices. By harnessing the power of collaborative artmaking, this project seeks to increase access to treatment and harm reduction services while reducing stigma and its harmful impacts. The initiative also prioritizes the inclusion of historically marginalized communities, reinforcing a commitment to equity and representation in thearts.
SCOPE OF WORK
This is a fast-track project. The selected artist(s) must be available to attend all mandatory meetings and complete all aspects of production within the project period listed below. Dates are subject to change.
Request for Qualifications:
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 - Request for Qualifications Application Posted
Tuesday, March 10, 2026 - Application Deadline at 11:59 p.m. Arizona Time
Artist Selection:
Thursday March 26, 2026 - Artist Selection Meeting 1: The cohort will select three (3) finalists to interview. All applicants are notified. Finalists prepare for Artist Selection Meeting 2.
Thursday April 2, 2026 - Artist Selection Meeting 2: Finalists interview with cohort (in-person or virtual). Finalists will provide a 15-minute presentation, followed by a 10-minute Q/A.
Artwork Design:
April - June 2026 - Develop artwork concepts through collaborative design sessions and community dialogue.
Artwork Production:
June 2026 – August 2026 - Fabricate and produce collaborativeartwork, including material sourcing, construction, and technical execution.Planning and coordination of the culmination event.
Community Showcase:
August 2026 - Presentation of collaborative work to the public.