Tempe Public Art Insights Program Overview

Are you an artist or a public artist who is interested in entering or advancing their career in public art? Public Art Insights is a program series that starts with a mixer and continues with three educational, developmental events to support artists looking to enter the field of public art as well as public artists looking to refine their practice or learn new skills. 

The Artist | Fabricator Networking Mixer took place on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Please see the information below on the upcoming workshops.

Upcoming workshops:

How to Apply for a Public Art Project

Tuesday, June 2
Noon - 1:00 pm

Virtual via zoom:
Click here to register for How to Apply for a Public Art Project workshop 

Make yourself a competitive applicant in calls for public art! Learn the processes, language and skills needed to evaluate calls, your fit and thoughtfully apply for public art opportunities. This workshop is for those curious about entering the field as well as those looking to strengthen their applications.

Presenter: Shachi Kale -  Click here to view Shachi Kale's website

Shachi Kale is a visual storyteller, graphic designer and children’s book illustrator residing in Arizona. Born and brought up in Mumbai, India, Shachi Kale studied graphic design and launched her career in advertising before launching her own design studio and career as an artist. Shachi's public artwork can be seen in Tempe, Chandler, Mesa and Scottsdale. She was an Artist in Residence at Tempe Center for the Arts in 2022 and serves on the Arts Commission in Chandler.

Create a Successful Proposal

Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026
Noon – 1:00 pm

Virtual via Zoom:
Click here to register for Create a Successful Proposal workshop 

Pitch your ideas with clarity and confidence. This workshop continues the Public Art Insights Workshop Series. Advance your abilities to present to a panel with impact. From researching and responding to criteria, visually presenting your work, and communicating to inspire this workshop covers the critical elements in a strong project proposal.

Presenter: Nicole Mueller - Click here to view Nicole Mueller's website

Nicole Mueller is a visual artist and painter based in San Francisco, CA. Her paintings are both process-driven and organic explorations of self and sentience. Mueller’s expanded approach to painting spills over into the public realm with installations in mosaic, glass, and other mediums that push the boundaries of each material while maintaining Mueller’s painterly ethos. Meuller has completed large-scale permanent public art installations with City of Tempe, Arizona, and City of Alameda, California.

Collaborating with Fabricators and Stakeholders

Tuesday, Oct. 6
5:30pm – 7:00 pm, in-person

Tempe Public Library - Ironwood Classroom
3500 S. Rural Rd. Tempe, Arizona

Click here to register for Collaborating with Fabricators and Stakeholders

Take your creative ideas to new heights, scales and mediums! Learn from public artist-facilitators to explore researching fabricators and materials, communicating ideas, getting quotes and other skills needed to take your art to the next level.

Presenters:

• coLAB Studio (Matt & Maria Salenger) - Click here to view coLAB Studio's website
• Sarah Hurwitz - Click here to view Sarah Hurwitz' website

Since 2004, coLAB studio has blurred the lines between architecture and art, crafting spaces that challenge conventions. CoLAB’s work includes designing homes, multi-family projects, commercial hubs, and cultural institutions—while pushing boundaries with public and studio art. CoLAB draws from a freelance cohort of repeat collaborators-- building and site scientists, artists, planners, digital specialists, and even a poet to bring unexpected depth to their collaborations.

Sarah Hurwitz is an Arizona-based artist and illustrator who brings order chaos and connects things that seem disparate. Their work celebrates the process of grouping, multiples and list-making to expand scale and impact, creating immersive environments in their public art. With a background of working in Children’s libraries and illustrations, their work is jovial and interactive, creating spaces of awe and learning for all levels of learners.