¡Sombra! Experiments in Shade Public Art Project
Phoenix public art project creating temporary shade installations with $1M Bloomberg grant - artists selected from national call
¡Sombra! Experiments in Shade is a public art project developed by the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture that received a $1 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies' Public Art Challenge. The program focuses on creating temporary art installations throughout the Valley that provide shade and address urban heat issues in Phoenix. Nine artists were selected from more than 80 applicants through a national call, with at least four positions reserved for local artists. The final selection included four Phoenix artists and one from Tucson. Selection criteria required structures to provide heat respite, use non-traditional public art materials, and engage the community meaningfully. Featured installations include Bobby Zokaites's 'Botanical Canopy' at Cortez Park, woven from over 10,000 feet of nylon parachute cord creating leaf-like geometric patterns, and Feng-Feng Yeh's 'Chinese Chorizo' at Eastlake Park, addressing Phoenix's redlined communities and historical relationships between Chinese and Mexican grocers. Out-of-state artists were required to visit Phoenix during summer to experience the heat firsthand as part of their creative process, ensuring authentic understanding of the environmental challenges the project addresses.
How to Apply
1. Step 1: Contact Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture for future similar opportunities
2. Step 2: Research Bloomberg Philanthropies' Public Art Challenge for upcoming grants
3. Step 3: Monitor Phoenix arts community announcements for related public art calls
Application & Contact
Contact: Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture - specific contact details not provided
Source: https://www.phoenixmag.com/2025/09/02/made-in-the-shade/