SculpTOUR Downtown Rotating Public Art Program Curator
| Agency: | City of Santa Cruz |
|---|---|
| State: | California |
| Type of Government: | State & Local |
| NAICS Category: |
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| Posted Date: | Jun 25, 2026 |
| Due Date: | Aug 14, 2026 |
| Solicitation No: | RFP No. DEPT HERE-0312 |
| Original Source: | Please Login to View Page |
| Contact information: | Please Login to View Page |
| Bid Documents: | Please Login to View Page |
Description
Project ID: RFP No. DEPT HERE-0312
Title: SculpTOUR Downtown Rotating Public Art Program Curator
Addenda: 0
Release Date: 6/25/2026
Due Date: 8/14/2026
Post Information
Sealed Bid Process:No
Private Bid:No
Summary
Introduction
The City of Santa Cruz Office of Economic Development invites qualified curators or curatorial teams to submit proposals to lead the artistic direction, artist selection, and exhibition management for SculpTour , an outdoor rotating sculpture exhibition program designed to enhance public space, support artists with highly visable gallery space, and engage the community.
Project Goals
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Present high‑quality, diverse, and engaging sculptural works
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Activate public spaces and enhance cultural vibrancy
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Support artists in the sale of their works
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Provide accessible art experiences for residents and visitors
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Strengthen the city’s identity as a cultural destination
Purpose of the RFP
The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to solicit qualified individuals or teams to serve as the Curator for SculpTour , responsible for artist selection, exhibition planning, installation oversight, community education about the program and gallery space, and coordination with the City staff.
Background
About Santa Cruz: The City of Santa Cruz was incorporated in 1866 and formed its current charter in 1948. It is governed under a Council/Manager form of government. A Mayor and six Council members set policy for the City and a City Manager serves as chief administrator of those policies. The City is located on the coast, 75 miles south of San Francisco on the northern edge of the Monterey Bay. It encompasses 15.8 square miles with cultural and ethnic diversity among its population of 65,000. Santa Cruz is part of the National Marine Sanctuary and is a popular tourist destination owing to its beaches, surf culture, and historical landmarks.
The City provides a full range of municipal services and facilities including a recreational wharf, public golf course, over thirteen hundred acres of open space, full beach services, refuse management, law enforcement, fire protection, and water and wastewater utilities. The City is also host to University of California Santa Cruz, the Santa Cruz Harbor, and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk amusement park.
About SculpTOUR: Since 2008, the City of Santa Cruz has proudly presented SculpTOUR- a rotating collection of sculptures throughout downtown. The City has enjoyed marching penguins, rocky dogs, and an assortment of kinetic and interactive works. There are currently four locations for these temporary works of art. Since its creation, the artwork management and selection has been done in house with City staff. To elevate the program and create bandwidth, in its Fiscal Year 2027 budget, the City allocated funds for the SculpTOUR program to contract with a professional Curator to support a new round of sculpture public art for the four pad locations in downtown Santa Cruz.
Timeline
See Also
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