Calls for Art

The City of Stanwood has launched the Downtown Art Project, to be located on City-owned property at the west end of Downtown Stanwood where 271st and 270th Streets converge, on property known as the “Raplee Plaza.” This site is part of the Twin City Mile Downtown Revitalization Project, and envisions an urban, hard-surfaced plaza serving as a welcoming gateway to the west end shopping district. The City of Stanwood is working on a design for this park, however this art installation will occur before the design and park plan is executed. The art installation will stand alone in the grassy plot for a period of time, will be uninstalled and stored during park construction, and will be re-installed once the park is complete.

 

The art piece will be a small-scale installation designed to fit within an approximate 10 x 25 foot area. The artwork may take the form of either a mural mounted on posts or a compact, three-dimensional sculpture, bench, etc. The piece should invite physical interaction—encouraging visitors to touch, explore, and pose for photographs. Possible concepts include a small sculptural element incorporating reflective or textured surfaces, an obelisk, a mural-mounted structure that frames visitors for photos, or an archway. The design should be approachable and visually appealing from multiple angles, serving as both a standalone artistic feature and a community landmark. The piece should be constructed of durable, weather-resistant materials suitable for outdoor display in the Pacific Northwest climate.

 

The design should reflect the spirit of Stanwood and the character of the West End, contributing to the beautification and identity of the Twin City Mile corridor. This park will be a gateway to the West End of Stanwood and the design is encouraged to reflect that.

 

This work should capture the spirit of creativity, community, and connection, enhancing the pedestrian experience and contributing to the area’s cultural identity. To inspire innovative proposals, the City offers several conceptual ideas as a starting point; however, these suggestions are not exhaustive. Artists are encouraged to exercise creative freedom and imagination to design a distinctive, meaningful, and original piece that complements the character and vision of the space. Conceptual ideas include but are not limited to:

• “Welcome to Stanwood” Decorative Sign

• Interactive Sculpture

• Native American Art Theme Supporting Stanwood’s Past

• Other Ideas that Celebrate the Historic West End

Please note: Given the site’s future development and potential construction phases, the artwork must be designed for relocation, allowing for removal and reinstallation without compromising its integrity or aesthetic quality.

 

Artist Eligibility:

• Preference will be given to artists living within the Stanwood-Camano zip code areas: 98292 and 98282. Secondary preference will be given to Snohomish, Island, and Skagit county residents.

• Project proposals will be accepted from professional, amateur and student artists.

• Teams of artists are permitted.

 

Budget:

A budget of $12,500 is allocated for artist design, materials, and fabrication. An additional $1,000 is allocated for initial installation. Should the art be removed and stored and re-installed once the park has been completed, the City of Stanwood will cover all storage and reinstallation costs.

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Timeline:

The deadline for the call for art is 11:59pm April 1, 2026. The selected artist will be notified by May 15th. Installation will take place no later than November 30th, 2026, following reviews with City Council.

 

Selection and Approval Process:

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Selection Criteria:

Artists, or artist teams, will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Artistic excellence and originality – Demonstrated ability to create visually compelling, conceptually strong, and contextually relevant artwork.

• Relevance to theme – How well the proposed concept reflects West Downtown Stanwood’s history, rural roots, cultural heritage, and identity.

• Quality and durability of materials – Suitability of materials for long-term outdoor display, safety, and minimal maintenance.

• Community connection – Potential of the artwork to engage, inspire, and resonate with residents and visitors.

• Interaction – Opportunity for the community to interact with the artwork, explore, touch, and experience it, up close.

• Professional experience – Past success with similar public art projects, including ability to meet budgets, timelines, and technical requirements.

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Submission Requirements:

 

Interested artists or artist teams are invited to submit the following materials for consideration:

1. Letter of Interest (1–2 pages) describing your artistic approach, interest in the project, and how your work aligns with the themes of Stanwood’s history and community identity.

2. Concept Proposal including 3-5 preliminary sketches, renderings, and written descriptions illustrating your design intent and vision for the site.

3. Resume or CV highlighting relevant public art experience.

4. Portfolio of 5 previous works, including title, medium, dimensions, location, and year completed.

5. Budget for the project, inclusive of all costs, including: the artist’s design fee, materials, fabrication, engineering, transportation, installation, insurance, permits, structural engineering, travel, and any other related expenses.

 

Submissions must be received by 11:59pm on April 1st, 2026.

 

Review Process:

 

The City of Stanwood is commissioning the Raplee Plaza artwork through SCAAC. 

The selection and design review process will include the following steps:

1. Review of Artist Submittals and Qualifications – Evaluation of applicants’ experience, artistic merit, and compatibility with the project goals.

2. Review of Concept Design – Assessment of proposed themes, materials, and budget.

3. Selection of Artist – Formal recommendation of the artist or artist team to move forward with design development.

4. Review of Preliminary Design – Consideration of refined design concepts, materials, and site integration details.

5. Approval of Final Design – Final review for consistency with project objectives.

 

If you have any questions or to submit your proposal, please email: callsforart@scaacwa.org.

We look forward to seeing your work!

Snohomish County Arts Commission has opened a call for artists for the 2026 Soccer Ball Hunt! This countywide public art project coincides with major international soccer events coming to our region next year, which will bring many visitors and added visibility to Snohomish County. We will be installing five large-scale soccer ball sculptures that will be designed and painted by local artists as a way for us to celebrate our communities, our heritage, and our connection to the wider world through art.

 

This is a paid opportunity that directly supports our local creative sector. We are looking for artists who want to bring their vision and talent to a project that captures the spirit of Snohomish County. If you are an artist who might be interested, or if you know others in your community who would be a great fit, please share this opportunity! The full call for artists, including eligibility and application details, is available on our website: www.SnoCoArts.org/soccer