Call for Artist Qualifications: Veterans Park Community Art Project

The City of San Marcos seeks artists and artist teams to submit their qualifications to create ways to integrate art in a predominately Hispanic, bilingual neighborhood park in San Marcos, Texas. The selected artists will facilitate community involvement during both the design and painting phases of this public art project. Pieces included in the project may include designs and painting on a pavilion structure and shaded seating area.

BACKGROUND: The City will install a new shaded seating structures Veterans Park, a well-loved park in a predominately Hispanic, bilingual neighborhood in San Marcos. The new structures, along with an existing pavilion at the park, will be the canvas for a public art project that celebrates the vibrancy of the neighborhood and reflects its culture and values.

SELECTION PROCESS: The San Marcos Arts Commission will select an artist or artist team for the project based on qualifications and past work. The artist will be paid $5,000 to hold a public input meeting with the neighborhood to explain the project and listen to the residents’ vision for the design; create original designs and a comprehensive plan for the various surfaces to be painted; and coordinate painting of the park structures with participation from the neighborhood.

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT: The selected artist will hold an initial public workshop to receive feedback and inspiration from neighborhood residents for the project design. The artist will also facilitate public involvement in the actual painting of the project.

CRITERIA: Artist selection criteria include experience working with neighborhood communities for public art projects, artistic quality of past work, and appropriateness of artist’s style for the location.

Timeline

• Aug. 17, 2026: Submissions due
• September 2026: Artist notification

NOTE: See the site overview by clicking on View Site Plan link above