Tempe Public Art is funded by the Municipal Arts Fund. One percent of the city's total annual capital improvements budget is appropriated for the Municipal Art Fund in order to advance art in all its forms.

Tempe Public Art collaborates with other city departments to infuse art into the built environment. Examples include artwork integrated into multi-use paths, sculptural artworks in city parks, murals on city owned buildings, functional artworks like custom bus shelters and unique landmarks in community spaces. These projects allow the community to experience art in their daily lives while also creating memorable experiences throughout the city for visitors to enjoy.

Click here to explore the full collection of public art in Tempe on the Tempe Public Art Story Map

List of Current Projects

Project: Kiwanis Park North 

Artist: Bobby Zokaites

Commissioned in: 2023

Expected install in: Fabrication begins 2025. Installation in 2026.

Description: Resembling a rock pile over 8’ tall, Intersection Rock is an abstract, coated-steel form that becomes a dynamic climbing structure in the playscape at Kiwanis Park North.  Learn more about the Kiwanis sculpture on our social media by clicking here.

Project: Mill Avenue Underpass 

Artist: Joseph O’Connell of Creative Machines 

Commissioned in: 2023

Expected install in: Fabrication begins Summer 2024. Construction and installation in 2025. 

Description: Phase 1 includes nature-inspired sculptures that stretch upward along the terraced walls of the underpass. Phase 2 brings landscaping and a night lighting component. 

 For more information click here for the Mill Underpass project webpage

Project: Transit Shelters

Artists: Joshua Yazzie and Jacob Butler

Commissioned in: Spring 2024

Expected install in: Spring 2026

Description:  Tempe Public Art in collaboration with Tempe Transportation Department worked with artists Joshua Yazzie and Jacob Butler from Hekiu: Indigenous Artists Continuum to develop artist designed transit shelters. This includes four locations on Mill Avenue, of which three were installed in Spring of 2026. Additional artist designed shelters will be added throughout the city.

Click here to visit the website for Hekiu: Indigenous Artists Continuum

Click here for more information on Tempe Transit Shelters project. 

Project: Park Playground Rubberized Surfaces

Artists: For each year of playground renovations, a different artist is commissioned to create a surface design. Past artists include: Mary Shindell, Chris Jagmin, Muta Vision, Shachi Kale, Yuke Li, Oliverio Balcells, and Janel Garza

Description: Since 2017, Tempe Public Art has had the ability to collaborate with Tempe Parks on the replacement of sand with rubber in each playground renovation. Each year through 2027, Parks will be focusing on 2-3 parks to ensure that all park play areas are refreshed. 

Project: Optimist Park Lithomosaics

Artist: Mary Shindell

Expected install in:  Fabrication begins Fall 2025. Installation in 2026.

Description: The four neighborhood associations surrounding Optimist Park were awarded to Maryanne Corder Neighborhood Grant to integrate art into their new, ADA accessible pathway connecting their bike path to their playground. The design includes flora and fauna observed by residents and the artist at the park.