November 30, 2025 • Posted by Design Bay Area
The San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC) invites artists and artist teams residing in the United States, as well as artists represented by U.S.-based galleries, to submit proposals for the temporary display of an existing freestanding sculpture, or series of sculptures, of prominent scale in San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza, located in front of City Hall.
Eligible works must be fully realized, previously fabricated, and currently located in the United States. The selected work will be loaned for a period of approximately six months to one year, with final installation dates determined in consultation with SFAC and the lender.
Organized in support of Shaping Legacy, a Mellon Foundation funded initiative to critically examine and reimagine San Francisco’s monuments and memorials, this project supports a creative exploration of how public art can foster a more inclusive and representative civic narrative. The selected sculpture should embody inclusive histories, invite community dialogue, and enrich the collective understanding of civic memory and belonging. It should also demonstrate a strong visual presence that responds to the scale and formality of Civic Center Plaza.
Deadline to submit application: January 12, 2026, 11:59 p.m. PST
Project Description
San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza is a prominent civic space defined by its grand scale, classical architecture, and central location in the heart of the City. Bordered by major cultural and governmental landmarks, including City Hall, the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, the Asian Art Museum, the San Francisco Main Library, and the Superior and Supreme Courts of California, the plaza reflects San Francisco’s historical and governmental legacy. Designated as a National Historic Landmark, it offers both formality and openness, serving as a gathering place for large-scale public events as well as a daily commons for workers, commuters, and residents. Its accessibility is enhanced by nearby BART and MUNI stations and an underground parking facility, making it a vital and active part of the City’s urban fabric.
The Civic Center Temporary Sculpture Installation supports Shaping Legacy, a multi-year initiative of the San Francisco Arts Commission, supported by the Mellon Foundation, to critically examine and reimagine the city’s Civic Art collection of monuments and memorials. The project entails a comprehensive audit of existing works, community engagement especially with historically excluded voices, and artist-led activations and temporary installations that imagine new possibilities for commemoration. Shaping Legacy seeks to shift the power dynamics of public memory, foster more inclusive narratives, and ensure that monuments and memorials reflect San Francisco’s diversity and evolving identity.
The selected artwork will be installed on the decomposed granite section of the Plaza, in the area indicated in the accompanying site image. The area currently designated for the temporary sculpture installation measures approximately 35 feet by 35 feet.
There is strong precedent for the temporary display of public artworks at this site, with Civic Center Plaza having served as a central stage for public art in San Francisco. The Arts Commission has previously presented a series of large-scale temporary sculptures on the Plaza, including works by Zhang Huan, Amanda Parer, and Zak Ové.These installations demonstrate the Plaza’s unique capacity to host ambitious, high-profile artworks that invite public interaction and civic dialogue in one of the City’s most symbolic spaces.
Selection Process
Eligible applications will be reviewed by SFAC staff, who will identify and recommend a sculpture for the site in consultation with the Mayor’s Office, the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department, the Civic Center Community Benefit District, and additional community partners, as needed. Applications deemed eligible may also be considered for placement at other sites or for future public art opportunities.
Arts Commission Approval: The recommended sculpture(s) will be submitted first to the Visual Arts Committee (VAC), a subcommittee of the Arts Commission and then to the full Arts Commission for approval. All Artist Review Panel recommendations are subject to the Visual Arts Committee and Full Arts Commission.
All Arts Commission meetings are open to the public and are posted on the Arts Commission website at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. To check the meeting schedule for public art projects, please go to our calendar.
ARTIST SELECTION CONSIDERATIONS
The artwork will be selected in accordance with the goals of the project and criteria outlined below
- Artistic Merit: Artistic Merit may be judged by such measures as originality of concept and artistic vision; the degree to which the work engages the viewer emotionally, intellectually, spiritually; the qualify of craftsmanship or mastery of skills and techniques. Artistic merit may also be credited to artwork that reflects a significant or direct relationship between the artist and distinct racial or cultural communities.
- Alignment with Project Goals: The proposed artwork must advance the goals of Shaping Legacy by fostering inclusive narratives, encouraging community dialogue, and contributing to an expanded understanding of public memory and civic belonging.
- Site Appropriateness: Artworks will be assessed for their suitability to Civic Center Plaza in terms of scale, durability, and visual presence within a highly visible and historically significant civic setting. Works must be installation-ready and compatible with the architectural and social context of the site.
- Feasibility and Maintainability: SFAC staff will assess the practicality of installing and maintaining the recommended artwork for the duration of the loan, considering factors such as budget, timeline, and logistical requirements. The evaluation will address the structural integrity of the sculpture, its suitability for outdoor display in a high-traffic civic environment, resistance to weathering, theft, or vandalism, and the anticipated costs associated with handling, installation, maintenance, and deinstallation.
- Public Safety and Accessibility: Artwork shall be evaluated to ensure that it does not present a hazard to public safety and complies Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and with all other applicable building codes.
How To Apply
Applications are available through SlideRoom (https://sfgov.slideroom.com), an online application system for calls for entry. There is no charge to artists for using SlideRoom. Please be sure to allow adequate time to submit your application as technical difficulties can occur. Applications that are mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand-delivered will not be considered.
Applications will not be accepted after the January 12, 11:59 p.m. (PDT or PST) deadline.