The Office of Arts and Culture utilizes the expertise of review panels to evaluate applications 

submitted for consideration to our funding programs. Review panelists play a critical role in the 

government grantmaking process by providing expert evaluation of grant applications, ensuring 

a fair and transparent assessment based on established criteria, and promoting accountability 

and responsible allocation of public funds.

PANELIST CRITERIA

Panelists must meet the following criteria: 

• Must be at least 18 years of age.

• Have computer access and a reliable internet connection.

• Have the ability to carry out all tasks outlined under the Panelist Duties section in the guidelines.

• Have the ability to maintain the standards outlined in the Panelist Code of Conduct in the guidelines.

• If chosen to serve on a panel, panelist must register as a supplier with the City, or update their account if they have done business with the City before. They may also be required to obtain a Business Operations Tax Certificate which must be paid up front and may be reimbursed. A staff member will reach out with further details on these two requirements, and step by step instructions, once an applicant is confirmed to serve on a panel. 

All prospective panelists MUST read the full guidelines before applying. For full guidelines please CLICK HERE or visit our Website.

CONTACT US:

Please contact staff with any questions.  

• Email: saccityarts@cityofsacramento.org

ACCOMMODATIONS

Large print materials are available upon request.
 

artlook® Sacramento

artlook® is your one-stop-shop for information on arts education in our city. With thousands of data points, artlook® provides the information you need to make strategic decisions about expanding the arts in Sacramento County Schools.
Developed in close coordination with Sacramento's arts educators, this platform can show you everything from which art teachers and arts partners are in which schools to what arts programming, coursework, and minutes of instruction is happening where.
Start exploring artlook® today, and help us expand arts education access, quality, and equity for every child, in every grade, in every school.

If you would like to be added as an artlook partner in arts education, please submit an application.

CALL TO ARTISTS

Funded through the City of Sacramento’s 2% for public art ordinance, the Sacramento Office of Arts and Culture (OAC) Art in Public Places (APP) program has been tasked with management of a new Artist Designed Benches Project in North Natomas Regional Park (NNRP) named Birds and Benches. The project will install up to eight (8) artist designed benches in this 212-acre park, focusing on areas in the park where visitors can enjoy resting and viewing avian species as well as other areas determined through conversations with project careholder organizations and community participants. The ideal envisioned bench design will enhance the community atmosphere of the site while celebrating the bird life of the Natomas Basin drawing people to congregate and enjoy the art while educating and enlightening them about the natural habitat which surrounds them. 

The project will have two phases to support robust community engagement: Phase 1 - Five (5) Artist Ambassadors to engage with five careholder organizations AND Phase 2 – up to eight (8) artists for the design and fabrication of up to 8 artist made benches. One (1) Engagement Manager position for both Phases 1 and 2 will also be available. An ideal engagement manager has administrative experience but is also a working artist in any discipline. Selected artists for both phases will work with careholder organizations and community participants to brainstorm subject matter, materials, and designs that express the desired goals and the theme of the project. Benches should be constructed of sturdy and permanent construction materials and engineered to support the use, wear, and tear of a standard park bench. Exact engineering requirements for the benches will be provided to artists upon selection. APP will hire a General Contractor to coordinate and install all benches. 

Professional artists of all disciplines including (but not limited to) literary arts, visual arts, folk art, dance, theater, and social practice are encouraged to apply for Phase 1.  Professional artists, sculptors, and designers with experience in fine art sculpture, large scale designs, furniture designs, or public art are encouraged to apply for Phase 2.  Professional artists without experience in public art are also highly encouraged to apply as this program was designed to give artists experience and guidance on how to successfully develop their public art project. Artists with administrative, marketing, and social media experience are encouraged to apply for the Engagement Manager position. 

APP will identify fabricators who may work with the artists to develop and realize their bench designs. APP will also offer at least one professional development workshop for the up to 8 selected artists for Phase 2.  Through an open competitive selection process, artists will be selected for both phases. Artists selected for Phase 2 will be required to attend a minimum of five Phase 1 public workshops or meetings – at least one from each careholder organization / Phase 1 artist partnership. This will ensure the Phase 2 artists have some knowledge of and participation in the Phase 1 engagement process. Additional consideration will be given to artists who have prior experience with or connections to the North Natomas Regional Park and Sacramento Valley area. 

Phase 2 artists without public art experience or experience in creating sculptures with permanent materials will find working with the fabricators very helpful and instructive. However, Phase 2 artists should realize when applying that if they are not able to fabricate their own sculpture, most if not all of their funds may go to hiring a fabricator to construct the artwork. That said, this is an opportunity for those artists to have a permanent sculpture in the city’s collection. APP highly encourages these artists to apply and benefit from this opportunity, if selected. 

ART BUDGET

Phase 1 artists will receive a total of $6,000 each as Artist Ambassadors in the community engagement phase. Phase 2 artists will each receive a total of $25,000 for the design and fabrication of their Art Benches. The Engagement Manager for Phases 1 and 2 will receive up to $10,000 paid at an hourly rate of $25 per hour throughout both phases. Specific requirements for each Phase are described below.  APP will handle all aspects of the Phase 2 installation of the Art Benches, but Phase 2 artists will be required to have their work delivered and to oversee the installation of their Art Bench. 

PROJECT BACKGROUND

North Natomas Regional Park is located adjacent to Inderkum High School, the North Natomas Community Center and Aquatic Complex, and the North Natomas Branch of the Sacramento Public Library. The park is home to the Saturday Farmer’s Market, and houses Little League, Junior and Senior League Baseball Fields, Dogs Parks, and a Children’s Play Area. This large, meandering park features bike and foot paths that connect to the larger path network. Though full of greenery and nature, there are minimal benches to sit and enjoy the wildlife throughout the park. 

The North Natomas Regional Park is also part of the important Natomas Basin Habitat, providing living, feeding, and nesting grounds for many species of birds and animals. Natomas sits at the confluence of the American and Sacramento Rivers, adjacent to farmlands and rice fields that feed the city, state, nation, and indeed, the world. The art of the benches should reflect this regional asset and the importance of protecting our environment. 

Birds and Benches is a two-phase program. Phase 1 focuses on community engagement and Phase 2 focuses on the design, fabrication, and installation of the artist designed benches. Selected Phase 1 Artists will be partnered with five careholder organizations. Artists will be able to choose the organization they prefer to partner with but should be open to being placed with another organization if the selection panel recommends. Applicants can learn more about each organization from their website:

· Natomas Basin Conservancy: https://natomasbasin.org/ 

· North Natomas JIBE: https://jibe.org/ 

· Sacramento Audubon Society: https://www.sacramentoaudubon.org/ 

· Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians: https://www.shinglespringsrancheria.com/ 

· Wilton Rancheria: https://wiltonrancheria-nsn.gov/ 

This phased project gives artists an opportunity to explore the NNRP and the avian life and habitat while also connecting with organizations that form new and celebrate historic and cultural areas of connection to the park environment. Artists and community alike learn from listening in and participating in this creative process and dialogue. 

DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS AND CONTENT FOR SELECTED ARTIST

Phase 1 – Artist Ambassadors: Five (5) selected Artist Ambassadors will be each partnered with a participating careholder organization to meet with and develop their own artwork from this partnership. Professional artists of all disciplines, including but not limited to visual arts, literary arts, dance, theater, and social practice, are eligible to apply for this opportunity. Each artist will receive a $6000 stipend to work with their partnered stakeholder organization to learn about the organization’s work and to share their work with the organization around the theme of birds in the Natomas Basin region. Each artist will be required to complete the following:

1. Public Meetings: Three (at least) 1 hour meetings (virtual or in person) open to the public to engage with the careholder organization.

2. Public Workshop: One (at least) 3 hour public workshop in collaboration with the careholder organization to creatively share and take participants through a learning experience within the artist’s discipline and in collaboration with the stakeholder organization. The organization will actively participate in the planning and execution of the public workshop, but the logistics and scope of the workshop are the artist’s responsibility. Once a proposed workshop is determined, APP will work with the artist to purchase and obtain materials for the workshop. Materials for the workshop do not come out of the artist’s stipend, but they must be approved by APP in writing for any reimbursements. APP will reserve the right to accept or modify the artist’s proposed materials request.  

3. Artwork Exhibit or Performance: Produce an artwork or series of artworks in artist’s primary discipline that explore a theme or ideas developed through the artist’s dialogue with the stakeholder organization and their exploration of the NNRP and avian life there. This work is the artist’s own creative work. Neither their partner organization, the community, or APP will determine what work the artist creates based on their experience. It needs only to relate in some way to the NNRP.  Exhibit this artwork (visual or otherwise) during an exhibition to be coordinated by APP at a location organized (and paid for) by APP. Artists own any artwork created but give the City a license to use images / recordings of the work for non-commercial purposes and to promote the overall Birds and Benches project. Artists must be able to deliver their artwork ready to exhibit or perform at the TBD exhibition space by April 6, 2026 and be available to assist in installing the artwork. APP will have staff on hand to assist in installation and curation of the show, but participation in the exhibition is required to share with the public the work the artist created. Experiencing the artist’s work, is part of the community engagement process. 

4. Final Report: Prepare and submit a final report (format provided by APP) detailing the proposal submitted, the project actually completed, and documentation of the experience. 

Phase 2 – Bench Design and Fabrication: Up to 8 selected Sculpture Artists will be selected based on their short statement of interest and past artwork and experience to design and fabricate a bench for the North Natomas Regional Park. Exact location of the bench to be determined collaboratively with the artist. Artists with little or no public art experience are encouraged to apply. Pre-selected fabricators will be available for consultation with the artist and to fabricate the work within the proposed budget. However, Phase 2 Artists utilizing fabricators should realize that much, if not all, of their budget may go to cover fabrication costs. They will, however, have a finished and installed public artwork and permanent part of the City of Sacramento public art collection to use for future portfolios or artist calls. Each artist will be required to complete the following: 

1. Phase 1 Participation: Attend and participate in at least one meeting or workshop from all five Artist Ambassadors. Thus, they must attend a total of at least five virtual or in-person workshops or meetings. Sculpture Artists should consider the information learned in the careholder meetings or workshops to assist in the design concept development process. Participation and learning through Phase 1 is an important part of the overall project. Artists not interested in engagement or learning from other artists and careholder organizations should not apply for this opportunity. 

2. Conceptual Design: Present the conceptual design to the public by May 11, 2026 (organized by APP) and receive comments and feedback. Submit the conceptual design package to APP for final review and approval. 

3. Sculpture Fabrication and Installation: Final design and fabrication (or work with a fabricator to fabricate) of bench to the engineering specifications provided. Artist must be available to consult and oversee installation process on site with the city hired general contractor. Final artwork becomes part of the city’s permanent public art collection. 

4. Artist Talk and Dedication: Participate in an “Artist Talk” and celebration event to share the artist’s process and final bench artwork. Event date and time to be determined and coordinated with Phase 2 artists. 

Through this two-phase process, APP seeks to engage interested community members and careholder partner organizations while offering training and real-life experiences for artists to learn more about public art and the community engagement process by actively contributing to the development and process of the Birds and Benches artworks. 

ELIGIBILITY 

All eligible applicants must be 18 years old or older and be experienced professional artists in their discipline. Artists may only apply individually. Teams are not allowed for any of the positions in this opportunity.  There are no geographic limitations on who may apply; however, there are no additional funds for travel or lodging and given the opportunities to explore the surroundings at NNRP and work directly and in person with careholder organizations, artists located within or who show a cultural, familial, or historic connection to the Sacramento Valley region will be provided some preference in the selection criteria. 

HOW TO APPLY  

Artists may apply for the Birds and Benches Phases 1 and 2 by filling out the online application on Submittable at https://saccityarts.submittable.com/submit and submitting it online with required supporting materials.  City staff will review the applications for eligibility and advance eligible applications to a diverse panel of community members, artists, art administrators, and curators who will review all complete submissions and may interview finalists prior to choosing artists for a commission. APP staff will facilitate the panel’s review. 

Within the application materials, artists will be required to submit an up to 250-word statement of interest about the Birds and Benches project opportunity. Artists applying for Phase 1 will indicate how they anticipate working with a selected careholder organization and give a brief overview of their preliminary project concept. All artists will submit image files, written files, or video of past artwork, specifically focusing on the goals of the Phase 1 or Phase 2 opportunities they are applying for. While artists may apply for all three opportunities, an artist may only be awarded one position. Artists should indicate their preference if they are applying for more than one position.   

PROJECT GUIDELINES

Artists must meet all guidelines as detailed below to be considered for the Birds and Benches positions.   APP staff are available to discuss projects and provide support for applying artists by appointment.  APP will conduct one information session after the launch of the RFQ to assist artists with application questions and provide guidance as to the project goals, who should apply, evaluation rubric, and technical support for applying artists. The information session will be recorded and will be made available online afterwards for the public.   Artists apply through the Submittable online platform.  No other submission formats are accepted.  After artists are selected, APP will work with artists to prepare all necessary tax and contract documents before any work begins.  Requirements for project submission all done through the Submittable platform the basics of which are: 

· Online Application submitted through Submittable with Position specific Questions

· Artist Statement (250 word maximum) 

· 10 files of artist’s original work  / audio files / video files

· Resume (2-page maximum) 

· Statement of interest (250 word maximum)

· 3 Professional References (name, phone, address, email) 

PANEL REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS

The selection panel will review applications based on a series of criteria that will help them decide which artist will receive the commission. Panelists will evaluate artists based on the criterion shown below (60 Points Total) as evidenced by subcategory questions described in the Scoring Rubric provided to applicants in the included Information Packet link.

Panelists are only reviewing past artwork and qualifications. No proposed designs for this project are to be submitted or reviewed during the RFQ application process. The areas of panel review of artists’ past work samples are: 

· Originality (20 points)

· Technical Skill (20 points)

· Public Art or Engagement Experience (20 points)

INFORMATION PACKET AND INFORMATION SESSION

The information packet may be downloaded here and includes some basic information about the project and site at the NNRP as well as the Scoring Rubric that the selection panel will use to score all qualified applicants. It is expected that artists will engage in some of their own research and are not limited to these materials provided. During this RFQ process, the information packet folder includes the following; although, additional items may be added as they become available:

· PDF of Birds and Benches RFQ

· Scoring Rubric for Applicants

· Information Packet for Careholder organizations (good overview with bench examples)

· Information Session Recording (to be added after live session 6/25/25)

An online information session will be held on Wednesday June 25th from 530-630 pm. Register here to receive the zoom link: https://cityofsacramento-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/NLguQdhHQP2qV4y4Iwm1Hw  This will be an opportunity to ask questions about NNRP, the application process, the goals for the benches, and hear more about the project from city staff and project careholders.  The session will be recorded and will be uploaded to the Information packet folder. 

PRELIMINARY PROJECT TIMELINE 

June 2025: Launch RFQ

June 25th, 2025: Launch Information Session via Zoom (Recorded)

July 28th, 2025: Deadline for submission to RFQ

August 2025: Selection Panel meets to select artists

September 2025: Artists notified 

October 2025: Contract and supplier paperwork completed 

November 2025: Artists begin meetings with careholders and design development

January - April 2026: Phase 1 Artist workshops

May 2026: Phase 1 Artist exhibition 

June 2026: Phase 2 Conceptual design presentations

July 2026: Phase 2 Fabrication begins 

February 2027: Installation of Benches in North Natomas Regional Park

March 2027: Artist Talk and final celebration of benches 

PROJECT MANAGEMENT CONTACT 

Donald Gensler, APP Manager, dgensler@cityofsacramento.org, 916-808-8493