The City of Tempe is looking for artists who are interested in the opportunity to enhance the Mill Avenue Underpass with artwork of significant scale. The underpass is located on a major arterial road that connects existing neighborhoods to the downtown core in Tempe. Heading north in the underpass, drivers are greeted by the iconic and historic Gammage Theater, a Frank Lloyd Wright building located on the edge of Arizona State University’s campus, before entering downtown Tempe. Heading south offers the experience of leaving the university campus and downtown for residential neighborhoods, business, and other aspects of life in Tempe. The underpass also intersects Tempe High School and several neighborhoods. As a passthrough, this site should be viewed as an opportunity to provide a landmark experience for all who encounter it.
The artwork should bring a sense of vibrancy, vitality, and dynamic energy to the site and in ways that reflect the City of Tempe’s progressive spirit. This can be achieved through the addition of color, shape, and light through a variety of materials. The current condition of the underpass includes exposed aggregate walls, planter, and a pedestrian walkway that aligns with 2 lanes of traffic in each direction. Possible art enhancements include the addition of tile, metal, ceramic, paint, stucco, and other construction grade materials.
Budget: Up to $400,000
Information session: Thursday, May 11 at noon on Zoom
Deadline: Monday, June 5 at 5 p.m. (MST)