Project Summary  
   The City of Ontario's Museum, Arts & Culture Department seeks to qualify an artist or artist team to enter into an agreement to develop a site-integrated sculptural work of art for the City Services Building located at 311 N. Sultana Avenue in Ontario, California, with construction estimated to be completed by February 2027. A work of art that fosters community, connectivity, and civic pride, while reflecting multiple cultural identities and intergenerational values, ultimately becoming a well-known visual landmark to this site for all to enjoy.

Learn more – Call for Artists Qualifications, City Services Building Public Art - Full version  

Project Goals and Themes  
   With this public art installation, it is the goal of the City of Ontario’s Public Art Advisory Commission and the City of Ontario to achieve the following:  

• Create a design that is visually captivating and engaging in all vantage points  
• Have a strong visual presence both day and night  
• Generate a site-specific work of art that evokes a memorable sense of place authentic to the City as a premier destination for arts and culture in the Inland Empire 

Some potential identified themes shared by the Public Art Advisory Commission, include:    

• Unique to and a reflection of Ontario  
• Inspires a sense of community, connectivity, and civic pride  
• Reflects multiple cultural identities, as well as intergenerational values  
• Fosters the City’s innovative future and forward momentum 

About the City’s Public Art Program  

The City of Ontario’s Public Art Program promotes public art, as a cultural resource for the community, and acts as a mechanism to enhance the City’s commercial vitality and economic stability. The program serves to enrich the community aesthetic and built urban environment, by making a variety of artwork available to the public throughout the City. 

Public Art Project Budget 

The total budget for this public art project is not to exceed $300,000.  

Deadline for Submissions
  Thursday, August 7, 2025 by 4 PM (PST)  

The Call for Artists Qualifications is established for professional artists based in California and eligible to work in the United States. Preference will be given to artists who reside in Southern California. Ontario-based artists and artists who reside in San Bernardino County are strongly encouraged to apply. Only complete applications will be considered.

Rating Criteria and Weight
   Artists or artists teams will be rated on a total of 100 points, and will be required to submit the following information below in its entirety. Incomplete submissions will not be accepted.  

• 30 points | Artist vitae. Artist or artist team experience, qualifications, statement of interest     
• 40 points | Artist portfolio featuring past public art projects, with annotated image list 
• 25 points | Examples working within public sector with extensive public outreach and references. Documentation of two or more public art commissions over $50,000 per project, materials costs, rates, and other costs  
• 5 points | Estimated labor costs, materials costs, project schedule, and value-added offerings
   

We’re Here to Help 

City of Ontario, Museum, Arts & Culture Department

Tonya Rodzach, Arts & Culture Manager  

MuseumInfo@ontarioca.gov  

Exhibition Dates:  Thursday, August 14 – Sunday, November 2, 2025

• ARTWORK DROP-OFF DATES: Drop-off will be by appointment from July 21 - July 26, 2025. Appointments will be made through  the Appointments Plus link via email.  The artist or a proxy must hand-deliver the artwork to the Ontario Museum of History & Art. Commercially shipped or mailed artwork will not be accepted.  Please call Curator of Exhibits, Samantha Herrera at (909) 395-2504 should you have any questions. 

• ARTWORK PICK-UP DATES:    Pick-up will be by appointment from November 6 - November 8, 2025. Appointments will be made through the Appointments Plus link  via email two weeks before the exhibition closing date. The artist must pick up their artwork or provide the museum with a written statement permitting a proxy with a picture I.D. to claim the artwork.

• ARTWORK SPECIFICATIONS: Two-dimensional and three-dimensional artworks in any stable media will be reviewed by museum staff before the artwork has been accepted for the exhibition. To avoid confusion, artwork should be labeled with the title ("untitled" if applicable), artist's name, and telephone number. Two-dimensional works must be framed (or have finished edges) and ready to hang with secure wire attached, D-Rings, and/or French cleat; Sawtooth hardware will not be accepted. All artwork must be completely dry and ready to hang by your drop-off date. Please attach a sleeve on the back if the piece is a textile, such as a quilt. There is a size limit of 60 inches by 60 inches and a weight limit of 50 pounds for 3-dimensional pieces. If your work entails a video or audio or needs an electrical outlet, please make sure to state it in your application. Artwork that is not properly prepared for display will not be accepted. Any artwork or installations that contain pests, pet hair, odor, decaying remains, ashes, plant base, food base, liquids, or weapon paraphernalia will not be accepted.