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All proposals will be showcased!

Submission is free and open to all artists

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Status as of 7/2/26:

• 12 submissions received

• First exhibition scheduled for September 2026 (9/1 to 9/25) at the Voice gallery (La Cumbre Plaza)

  • Abstract Art Collective offered to share its exhibition space during its Fall Show to host the Public Art Initiative display

  • Detailed information in the Exhibition section below

• Still accepting post-deadline submissions. Do not hesitate to contact us.

 

Artists are invited to submit proposals for Santa Barbara public art installations, sculptures and murals. Every submitted proposal will be displayed in a public exhibition, where visitors will have the opportunity to comment and vote for the proposals they find most compelling.

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🎯 Purpose of the Initiative

This initiative invites proposals for new public art that celebrate and honor Santa Barbara’s unique heritage and community. Every submission will be exhibited, ensuring meaningful exposure, transforming the submission process into a platform for dialogue, visibility, and civic engagement. Artists are empowered to share their visions openly, and the public is invited to play an active role in shaping the future of public art in Santa Barbara.

Although no funding has been allocated for this project, the ultimate goal is to inspire Santa Barbara to strengthen its commitment to art and dedicate resources to bringing one or more proposals to life in the public realm.

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📐 Proposal Guidelines

Each proposal will consist of:

• A maquette (scale model) of the proposed artwork.

• Elements showing how the work will be installed — for example:

  • a pedestal or base if freestanding,

  • a section of wall if the proposal is a mural,

  • contextual placement if the work is intended to stand adjacent to a wall or architectural feature.

Note: These installation elements are intended for visualization only. They should provide a clear sense of how the artwork would be situated in the public realm.

• A human silhouette at the same scale to convey a sense of the size.

• A printed label with:

• Artist Name

• Title

• Size

• Medium

• Scale of the maquette

• ​Printed Documentation describing:

  • Concept and materials

  • Dimensions

  • Intended public context

  • Suggested location(s) in Santa Barbara

• A digital version of the documentation should also be accessible via a QR code

   

Size requirements

• The maquette should be of sufficient size to convey its concept clearly, with a 1/10 scale recommended as a good starting point

• The installation must measure less than 3 feet in any dimension

• Requests for exceptions should be addressed directly to the organizing team​

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Suitability requirement

While our goal is to exhibit all submitted proposals, submissions should be suitable for public audiences of all ages, and we reserve the right to exclude work that we find offensive or inappropriate for public display.

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Quality requirement

Maquettes should demonstrate sufficient quality to clearly and effectively communicate the proposal’s concept. They should be stable, well‑constructed, and presented in a manner that allows the public to understand the intended vision. We reserve the right to decline submissions that do not meet this basic standard of quality.

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📐 Submission process and deadlines

Intent to Submit (Feb 28. 2026)

• Please send an email as soon as possible, and no later than February 28, 2026, to notify us of your intent to submit.

This notification is not a binding commitment; it simply helps the organizing team anticipate the scope of participation and manage project logistics more effectively.

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Final Submission (Mar 31, 2026)

• Photos of the completed maquette of just the artwork

• Photos of the maquette as it is going to be shown/installed in the exhibit

• Pdf of the printed documentation

• Link to the digital documentation (Google drive link, or dropbox link, etc...)​

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🔁 Multiple Submissions

Artists may submit as many proposals as they wish, provided each meets the above criteria

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📐 Exhibition

A first exhibition will take place in September 2026 at the Voice Gallery (La Cumbre Plazza)

• Delivery and Installation Sunday, Aug 30 from 10am to 12pm

• Exhibit from Sep 1 to Sep 25

• Opening reception First Thursday Sep 3, from 5pm to 8pm

• Take down Sep 26 from 10am to 12pm

• Proposals must be delivered and installed directly by the artist, thus insuring a proper handling and presentation of each work,

• Shipments will not be accepted

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Practical Exhibition Considerations

If we receive more proposals than can be displayed at once, we may adapt the format, such as rotating displays, digital supplements, etc...

If we receive fewer proposals than anticipated, we may postpone the opening to allow additional time for submissions.

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​​🔁 Info

Questions, intentions to submit and submissions should be addressed to Eric Saint Georges, ericsgc@hawaii.edu or Rich Kaplan rkaplan@ucsb.edu

 

 

We look forward to seeing your vision for public art in Santa Barbara.

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Together, let’s contribute to Santa Barbara’s art, one maquette at a time!

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