ARTS & CULTURE

Call to Artists

County Parks issues Calls to Artists for a variety of arts opportunities throughout the year. Calls are for public art in County Parks, County-owned buildings, and other public spaces. View opportunities and review past projects below!

Call to Artist Opportunities

Children's Crisis Stabilization Center

An artist will be selected to create a site-specific public art component for the Children's Crisis Stabilization Center in Santa Cruz Country.  Located off Highway 1 at southeast corner of Soquel Avenue and Chanticleer Avenue on the Sheriff’s Public Safety Center campus, an existing 30,220 SF commercial building will be redesigned and renovated to include a Children’s Crisis Stabilization Unit (1st floor) and a Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (2nd floor). The facility will be operated by the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency. Proposals due by July 14, 2023. 

Ben Lomond Transfer Station

An artist will be selected to create a site-specific public art component for the Ben Lomond Transfer Station in Santa Cruz County. The thirty-year-old Transfer Station facility is in need of repairs and renovations to maintain safety, manage stormwater, and provide improved service.  The renovation project includes installing a larger metal canopy over the hazardous household waste area, installing a new canopy over the recycling area, upgrades to the electrical systems, and installing an overhead directional sign at the scale house. Information about what to include in your proposal can be found in the Call to Artists brochure – click PDF link just below. Proposals are due by July 14, 2023.

 

Outside the Box

"Outside the Box" - Traffic Controller Box Art Program Santa Cruz County Department of Parks, Open Spaces & Cultural Services is seeking artists to participate in the Outside the Box public art program, in which selected artists paint a mural on traffic signal controller boxes.  Artists must reside in the County of Santa Cruz and may submit a proposal for one or more of the boxes listed below.  Please click here for a Call to Artists, which provides information regarding payment, what to submit in your proposal, and other relevant information.

Type 332 Cabinet Dimensions and Type P Cabinet Dimensions

Questions?  Please email prc039@scparks.com

To view boxes painted by artists in previous phases of Outside the Box, please visit https://www.scparks.com/Home/FindaProgram/ArtsCulturalPrograms/OutsidetheBox.aspx

Previous Call to Artist Opportunities

Westridge Drive

An artist will be selected to create a site-specific public art component for the new South County Government Center in Watsonville, Santa Cruz  Country.   The County of Santa Cruz acquired 500 Westridge Drive in October of 2021 in order to implement numerous recommendations in the County’s Long-Range Facilities Plan, including enhancing equitable access to County services in South County. Information about what to include in your proposal can be found in the Call to Artists brochure – click PDF link just below. Proposals due by May 26 2023 (no longer being accepted). 

Green Valley Multi-Use Pathway

An artist will be selected to create a site-specific public art component for a location or locations along the 2-mile pathway.  The Green Valley Road Multi-Use Trail Improvements Project will replace a dilapidated pedestrian trail with a pervious, two-way, multi-use trail to provide a safe, accessible connection between the City of Watsonville and unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County to nearby schools, parks, social services, and numerous transit stops. Information about what to include in your proposal can be found in the Call to Artists brochure – click PDF link just below. Proposals due by March 20, 2023 (no longer being accepted)

Aptos Branch Library

An artist will be selected to create a site-specific public art component for the new Aptos Branch Library in Santa Cruz County!
Proposals due by January 21, 2022 (no longer being accepted)

Live Oak Community Center Library Annex

An artist will be selected to create a site-specific public art component for the new Live Oak Community Center Library Annex in Santa Cruz County!
Proposals due by January 21, 2022 (no longer being accepted)

Recently Completed Projects

Seacliff Village County Park Bathroom Building

In 2020, local Santa Cruz artist Anastasiya Bachmanova completed her mural on the recently installed bathroom building at Seacliff Village County Park!

Felton Public Library

In 2019, local artist Lea de Wit completed her installation of glass-blown butterflies at the new Felton Public Library.

Contact Us

Phone:

(831) 454-7901 (General)

Monday – Friday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, except holidays

Email:

Our physical office is open, but staff availability is limited.