September 11, 2025

Artists to Work Deadline is Now September 28

Apply to be a Review Panelist

The Artists to Work Program supports the creation and presentation of original, new or in-process artistic work by practicing Phoenix artists. Awarded artists will be required to complete a public presentation within the city of Phoenix boundaries that primarily benefits Phoenix residents. This program is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Program guidelines have changed from past years, so please read the guidelines carefully to determine eligibility and criteria. A recorded grant-Info session is available in English and Spanish.

Applicants will complete an application comprising narrative responses, a budget, and work samples. Applications will be reviewed first for eligibility by staff and then against evaluation criteria by other practicing artists. Each year, the program will accept applications from artists from specific disciplines. The 2026 Artists to Work cycle will accept applications from literary or performance artists who are currently generating original, new or in-process work.

The Basics

• Application Opens: August 21, 2025
• Application Closes Updated: September 28, 2025, at 11:59 pm
• Amount Awarded: $8,000 (paid in two installments)
• Number of Awards: 10
• Eligible Disciplines for this Round: Literary Arts and Performing Arts Only
• Residency Eligibility: Phoenix, Arizona Only
• Award Year: 2026 (January 1, 2026-December 31, 2026)

Apply to be an Artists to Work Grant Reviewer!

Reviewing grants is a great way to gain valuable professional experience while connecting with other artists and giving back to the community. For the Artists to Work program, panelists should identify as experienced and practicing artists and creatives in the art forms specific to performing arts and literary arts, as well as other individuals who can bring a wealth of arts knowledge to the review experience.

A panelist spends between 12 and 15 hours reviewing grants, taking notes, and attending a virtual orientation and a virtual panel meeting over a six to eight-week period in any given grant cycle season. Each panelist receives a modest honorarium of $300-$400, depending on the number of applications reviewed.

Public Art Collections Intern Opportunity

Deadline to Apply: September 21

Since its establishment in 1986, the agency’s Public Art Program has been a national model for involving artists in designing and building a better city. The Public Art Collection also includes over 300 site-specific artwork locations and over 1,200 portable artworks. Arts and Culture is accepting applications for a Public Art Collections Intern.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Arts Collections Manager, who is responsible for overseeing, maintaining, and preserving the public art collection. The deadline to apply is September 21, 2025.

¡Sombra! à la Mode Ice Cream Truck Tour

Concludes this Saturday

The ¡Sombra! à la Mode Ice Cream Truck Tour is rolling into parks across Phoenix, inviting the community to explore the ¡Sombra! Experiments in Shade installations while enjoying a complimentary frozen treat from Leo’s Ice Cream Truck.

At each stop, visitors can grab a free ice cream, explore striking shade structures created by nine local and national artists, and snap a photo under their inventive canopies. Post your pic on social media with #sombraphx for a chance to win an exclusive Sombra Prize Pack—featuring cooling merch and a limited-edition artist-designed umbrella. The last two stops on the ice cream tour are this Saturday, at noon at Los Olivos Park and 2:00 p.m. at Cielito Park.

¡Sombra! Celebration of Shade

September 20 at Steele Indian School Park

Also, don't miss the ¡Sombra! Celebration of Shade at Memorial Hall at Steele Indian School Park on September 20, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. to celebrate the culmination of ¡Sombra! Experiments in Shade. Learn about the nine temporary shade structures and meet the artists who created them while enjoying complimentary food and drinks from local vendors. The event will also feature the premiere of the ¡Sombra! Experiments in Shade documentary.

Our City, Our Climate: Youth Art & Writing Contest

Deadline to Submit: September 30

This contest is a chance for 6-12 grade students to share their ideas and creative solutions to some of the most pressing challenges in our city. We invite you to explore topics such as our food system, extreme heat, sustainable energy, safe and sustainable water supply, and other climate-related solutions that can be used to shape Phoenix’s climate future. Each contest has two age divisions. Each age division will have one top submission. A total of four winning students will be selected as winners and invited to meet Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego in celebration. Submissions will be judged in two age divisions: 6th-8th grade and 9th-12th grade.

Call to Artists: S'edav Va'aki Museum 2026 Exhibit

Deadline to Submit: October 3

S’edav Va’aki Museum (SVM) is seeking professional artists with diverse artistic approaches to apply for the 2026 Exhibit, Indigenous Identities. SVM requests qualifications from professional artists working in a variety of media (2D, 3D, or digital) and diverse artistic approaches for its Artist Call for SVM Exhibit, Indigenous Identities. Artists selected will be featured in an exhibition that will run from Fall 2026 through Summer 2027. A corresponding catalog will be produced and sold, which will include images of the artists' work, artist statement, and artist biography. Up to ten (10) artists will be selected, receiving a $1,000 honorarium, with potential for an additional program speaker fee. Deadline to apply is Friday, October 3, 2025.

Job and Professional Resources for Artists

Creative Capital and the Entertainment Community Fund

TourWest Grant Program Deadline: September 15

TourWest is a competitive grant program, supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, that provides subsidies to arts and community organizations for the presentation of touring performers and literary artists within the Creative West region. The program provides increased touring opportunities throughout the West to a diverse range of performing artists and companies and enhances audience appreciation for and support of performing arts in underserved communities by encouraging meaningful interaction between visiting artists or companies and communities.

Artist Opportunity Grant Deadline: October 16

The Arizona Commission on the Arts Artist Opportunity Grants support Arizona artists as they take advantage of specific, unique opportunities that have the potential to significantly impact their professional growth. This grant is available to artists working in all disciplines and at any stage in their careers, so many opportunities could be considered eligible.

The Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture is the city's designated local arts agency. It supports, champions, and promotes the local arts, culture, and educational community to make Phoenix a great place to live, work, and visit.​​​​​ In addition to the department’s flagship programs, the agency oversees and supports the City's Youth and Education Office​, Archaeology Office​, and the S'edav Va'aki Museum​.​