"If we could build an economy that would use things rather than use them up, we could build a future." — Dame Ellen MacArthur
CIRCULAR FUTURES
Call for Artists
Temporary installations celebrating circular economy leaders
West End Arts District is seeking Bay Area artists interested in creating temporary installations for Circular Futures, a festival celebrating the transformative power of circular economies in April 2027 as part of SF Climate Week.
The festival will bring together performances, installations, experiences, and talks at the Radium Runway outdoor performance space in Alameda Point. A featured element of the festival will be the Circular Futures Art Exhibition, a series of temporary, artist-led installations created in collaboration with companies and organizations advancing circular economy solutions.
We are especially interested in artists who work with found, recycled, reclaimed, or waste materials, and who are excited to translate the work of a trailblazing sustainability leader into an imaginative public artwork.
Artists may take a wide range of approaches, including sculpture, installation, immersive environments, interactive work, mixed media, educational displays, or other forms suited to a temporary public exhibition. Each commissioned artist will create an installation inside a shipping container, on view for two to three days during the festival. We expect approximately 1,500–2,000 visitors to experience the exhibition.
Artist pool and commissioning process
At this stage, West End Arts District is compiling a pool of interested artists. Artists accepted into the pool will be considered for future commissions as corporate and organizational sponsors are confirmed.
Once a sponsor is confirmed, West End Arts District will match them with an artist from the pool and facilitate a collaborative process. The goal is for each artwork to celebrate, communicate, or creatively interpret the essence and impact of the sponsor’s circular economy work. These installations are intended to be artist-led public artworks, developed in conversation with the partner organization.
Acceptance into the artist pool does not guarantee a commission. Artists will be notified separately if they are selected for a sponsored installation.
Selected artists will receive
• A $5,000 production stipend, which covers artist fee, materials, fabrication, transportation, installation, and any other project expenses.
• Use of a shipping container exhibition space. Access to the container for build-out for a minimum of two weeks before the exhibition opens. Container conditions may vary, including power, lighting, interior surfaces, and other technical details. These will be discussed on a case-by-case basis with each commissioned artist.
Artists will be invited, but not required, to be present for Festival events: 04/22 - 04/24 (exact timing TBD).
Artists should apply with:
• A brief letter of interest
• A CV or short bio highlighting relevant experience, especially work with found, reused, recycled, or reclaimed materials
• A website URL and/or Instagram handle
• 4-6 work samples
Allowed Media Types: Images & documents -
• PDF/JPEG files up to 15MB
• Video/Audio files up to 20MB or links to external media (YouTube/Vimeo/Soundcloud, etc.)
Deadline for submission is September 1, 2026.
Applications should be addressed to tara@westendartsdistrict.org.