City of Laguna Beach

Request for Artists Qualifications – Art in Public Places
CITY FIRE STATION 4 (APN: 056-105-04,07 & 35)
31796 Coast Highway

DEADLINE: May 31, 2026

ELIGIBILITY: The Arts Commission is looking for an Artist or Artist Team nationally with demonstrated experience in designing, creating, and installing site-responsive public art.

*IMPORTANT – Please read the guidelines and watch the following informational video before applying:
Fire Station 4 – RFQ Guidelines
Fire Station 4 – RFQ Video

Public Art
The City Arts Commission invites qualified artists or artist teams to submit their qualifications for a public art Installation for Fire Station 4. The location for public art is at the corner of Coast Highway and 5th Avenue measuring approximately 350 square feet and is approximately 37 feet wide and varies in depth from 8 to 14.5 feet from the back of the sidewalk and surrounded by four walls of the proposed building. Three of the walls will be plaster and one will be poured concrete.

The Artwork is to be a permanent installation. It should be large-scale, three-dimensional site-specific work which may be suspended, and may include landscaping and hardscaping as part of the unique design . All appropriate materials (metals, glass…) will be considered. Water elements and kinetic (moving) features will not be considered. The design should be non-representational, no theme is requested. It should draw positive attention to the new Fire Station and add identity to it and to the neighborhood. The design should engage drivers and pedestrians from its several vantage points, and lighting should be considered a primary artistic component. This is an opportunity to bring an innovative design that can enhance the City’s art collection and broaden the creative dialogue. The selected artist(s) will design and create a visually impactful public art experience that enhances the aesthetic of the new structure and the Laguna Beach community.

Community Engagement
The artist(s) will participate in public engagement activities to invite the input of the local community through social media, the City newsletter, and/or in-person presentation and dialogue, with timing to be mutually agreed upon.

Budget
An honorarium of $5,000 will be awarded for up to three selected artists/artist team to develop and submit a proposal. The City of Laguna Beach Arts Commission reserves the right to: reissue these guidelines and request for applications; and reject or cancel any or all applications. An honorarium for design, creation and installation is $100,000

Timeline
• Submission Deadline: May 31, 2026
• Arts Commission Review of Qualifications and Selection of Finalists: Tentative July 13, 2026
• Pre-Proposal Conference Call for selected Finalists: July 20, 2026
• Design Proposal: September 4, 2026
• Arts Commission Review and Design selection: September 28, 2026
• Project Completion: TBD (Subject to change) Fall 2028

Submission Requirements
1. Artist Statement (up to 500 words): Describe your artistic vision and approach to public art.
2. Résumé or CV: Include relevant public art experience. (1 page max).
3. Portfolio: Up to 8 images of completed public art projects with a corresponding image list (title, medium, dimensions, location, and date). Only include images/works that are relevant to this project and of permanent materials
4. References: Contact information for three professional references familiar with your work.

How to Apply
Submit your application via https://lagunabeachcity.slideroom.com