2023 Call For Artists

The City of Arcata is excited to open up its first Call for Artists to paint fire hydrants along the G&H and 8th and 9th Streets downtown corridor. The City has dedicated funding for artists’ commissions to paint fire hydrants in these corridors and create further connectivity between downtown Arcata, Cal Poly Humboldt, and the Creamery District.

To help create a shared vision, a community input survey was released in February/March 2023 around the theme of “connectivity”. In general, survey respondents expressed that to them, “connectivity” represented community, diversity, inclusivity, and the natural world (with an emphasis on water. Respondents expressed a preference to see fire hydrants that are individual and unique rather than visually connected.

“The Fine Print”

Artists will receive a stipend of $750 per fire hydrant, and will be responsible for purchasing their own materials . A high quality, oil-based paint for metal is strongly encouraged. The City will provide and complete the clear-coat necessary to protect the art. Murals will be implemented in August/September 2023.

Interested artists will be required to complete an application, which can be found here. Applications are due June 7, 2023. If you have specific questions about the application itself, please reach out to Playhouse Arts, the City of Arcata’s Local Arts Agency for assistance by calling (707-822-1575) or emailing info@arcataplayhouse.org.  You can also visit their website at https://www.playhousearts.org.

Your proposal will be reviewed based on:

1. The extent to which your proposal furthers Arcata’s Strategic Arts Plan goals, and as included in the Public Arts Review Guidelines Section 13 “Content Review Panel Review Considerations” (which can be found here)

2. The proposal’s consistency with community feedback around the theme of “connectivity”

3. Demonstrated ability to successfully complete the project

Artists will be required to meet the City’s insurance requirements (detailed information can be found here). If you are unsure or unable to meet the City’s insurance requirements, please reach out to Playhouse Arts, the City of Arcata’s Local Arts Agency for assistance (707-822-1575) info@arcataplayhouse.org

Once selected, Artists will be required to enter into an artist agreement. A sample artists agreement can be found here.

Do you have a proposal for public art that does not fit this 2023 Call For Artists? Please see the Art Around Arcata guidelines here or visit our Art Around Arcata webpage.