Call to Artists: Fresno Yosemite International Airport "International Plaza Artwork"

The Fresno Arts Council is seeking individual artists and/or artist collectives to submit proposals for a public art piece that will be installed at the Fresno Yosemite International Airport. The proposed artwork should be reflective of, but not limited to the following. 

The design should foster a welcoming environment for travelers passing through Fresno Yosemite International Airport. The concept will feature large, sculptural letters that spell out “FRESNO.” Letters should incorporate visual elements, patterns, or imagery that represent the culture, history, or spirit of Fresno and its sister cities: (https://www.fresnosistercities.org/).

• Anjar, Lebanon
• Châteauroux, France
• Galați, Romania
• Guadalajara, Mexico
• Kochi, Japan
• Münster, Germany
• Verona, Italy
• Etchmiadzin, Armenia

Artists are encouraged to interpret this concept creatively, drawing connections between Fresno and its international partnerships to celebrate diversity, community, and shared identity.

The letters and base will be constructed and installed by a third party; the selected artist will be responsible for designing and installing the artwork onto these elements.

A review panel will evaluate submissions and select the final artwork for the project.  Project information is available on the FAC website. (https://www.fresnoartscouncil.org/opencalls). 

For questions, contact Eric Martinez at eric@fresnoartscouncil.org or 559-237-9734. 

Full guidelines here.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: JUNE 30th, 11:59 PM

Call to Artists: Fresno Yosemite International Airport “Lobby Murals”

The Fresno Arts Council is seeking individual artists and/or artist collectives to submit proposals for a mural to be painted/installed on the interior of the Fresno Yosemite International Airport. The proposed concepts and designs should be reflective of, but not limited to the following themes identified for each mural. 

Mural 1:

• Theme: Vibrant, abstract, and open to interpretation. Artists are encouraged to create a welcoming and calming environment for travelers while reflecting the diversity and richness of the Central Valley.
• Approximate size: 30’4” x 8’2” (248 sq. ft.) 
• Budget: $16,120.00

Mural 2:

• Theme: Vibrant, abstract, and open to interpretation. Artists are encouraged to create a welcoming and calming environment for travelers while reflecting the diversity and richness of the Central Valley.
• Approximate size: 20’8” x 8’2” (169 sq. ft.)
• Budget: $10,985.00

Mural 3:

• Theme: Reflective of the Central Valley's rich and diverse community. The design should represent the land and people of the region while providing a welcoming environment for travelers. The artwork should be timeless, permanent, and inclusive.
• Approximate size: 24’0” x 8’0” (192 sq. ft.)
• Budget: $12,480.00

Mural 4 (International Lobby Mural):

• Theme: A vibrant, timeless design inspired by modern Mexican art that fosters a sense of unity and belonging. This mural should create a calming environment for travelers and represent the cultural richness of the region.
• Approximate size: 51’6” x 5’0” (258 sq. ft.)
• Budget: $16,770.00

Artists may submit proposals for more than one mural. Each proposal will require a separate submission.

A review panel will evaluate submissions and select the final artwork for the project.  Project information is available on the FAC website. (https://www.fresnoartscouncil.org/opencalls). 

For questions, contact Eric Martinez, at eric@fresnoartscouncil.org or 559-237-9734.

Full Guidelines here.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: JUNE 30th, 11:59 PM

Gallery on Fulton

2025 Vendor/Exhibitor Agreement

Thank you for your interest in Gallery on Fulton. The Gallery on Fulton is a new official ArtHop Venue on first Thursdays in Downtown Fresno managed by the Fresno Arts Council under a City of Fresno Special Event Permit. Please read the guidelines carefully before submitting your vendor application.

Gallery on Fulton welcomes artists, makers, crafters, exhibitors, and performers to participate in ArtHop’s newest and largest outdoor venue on First Thursdays. Gallery on Fulton is a free, family-friendly space where artists and makers may exhibit and sell their work in a community setting.

Gallery on Fulton takes place on Fulton St. from Inyo to Calaveras Streets. Streets will be open to traffic and display booths will be allowed on sidewalks.

Permits

All vendors are required to obtain a Gallery on Fulton permit from Fresno Arts Council for each First Thursday Gallery on Fulton event. Permits are available monthly ($25) or in three-month blocks ($70). Permits are not available for months beyond the next immediate month’s ArtHop. Permits and location assignments will be assigned for a single month at the time of set up. No refunds will be provided for permit applications.

Gallery on Fulton vendors must submit their application via Submittable at fresnoartscouncil.submittable.com by 5:00pm the Tuesday prior to that month’s ArtHop.

NOTE: The Fresno Arts Council has acquired the necessary City of Fresno permits, insurance, and security/environmental services for the monthly event. Vendors are required to possess a valid California Seller’s Permit and City of Fresno Business Tax Certificate, which they will need to show upon check-in each month. Vendors and exhibitors are additionally required to secure their own insurance coverage specifying the following:

Insurance requirements for Vendors:

1.  Required coverage levels:

a.  Comprehensive liability insurance in the amount of at least one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) per occurrence, adding the Additional Insured endorsement below.

a.  $1,000,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and property damage;

b.  $1,000,000 per occurrence for personal and advertising injury;

c.  $2,000,000 aggregate for products and completed operations; and,

d.  $2,000,000 general aggregate applying separately to the work performed under the Agreement.

e.  If an automobile is to be operated during the event, within event boundaries, proof of automotive liability insurance with limits of at least $200,000 for total bodily injury and $100,000 for property damage.

2.  Additional insured endorsement needed for the liability policy certificate:

Fresno Arts Council and its officers, directors, agents, and employees

1245 Van Ness Ave.

Fresno, CA 93721

3.  Coverage must list the participating entity as Named Insured and encompass their role in the event(s) approved for participation, on the event date(s).

Performers and Exhibitors (non-selling) must have their Gallery on Fulton permit with them, but are not required to possess a Seller’s Permit or City of Fresno Business Tax Certificate. Nonprofit and Arts Organization businesses may be required to demonstrate status as such.

Space Assignments and Vendor Guidelines

·  All spaces are roughly 10 x 5 and will be on the sidewalk on Fulton. Tables, chairs, pop-up tents, etc. are not included. Please bring all equipment you need.

·  Vendors, exhibitors, and performers must have required permits on hand for verification.

·  Check in begins at 3:30pm on the first Thursday each month at the FAC tent located at Fulton and Merced.

·  Arrivals after 5:00pm are assumed no-shows, and spaces may be reassigned.

·  Gallery on Fulton hours are 5:00-8:00pm. All vendors and exhibitors must complete sales and activity by 8:00pm, and take down, clean up, and load out by 9:00pm.

·  Power is not available for vendors. Vendors are welcome to use solar or battery-operating lighting as necessary for their booth. Sound amplification must not interfere with neighboring vendors.

·  Application does not guarantee acceptance. Submissions will be reviewed for guideline and permit compliance and event relevance. Permit fees are paid at the time of application and are non-refundable. 

·  Vendors are responsible for their own merchandise, personal belongings, event set-up and event take-down

·  Vendors must keep walkways and sidewalk space accessible for pedestrians and streets clear for vehicular traffic.

·  Vendors must not block doorways or interfere with open businesses on Fulton St. without their consent.

·  Vendors must follow all directions from event staff and security.

·  Vendors must remove all trash and merchandise at close of event

·  Vendors will sign a liability waiver upon application submission

·  Vendors will agree to all Terms and Conditions and Vendor Guidelines upon application submission

·  Vendors consent to use of their name/business/image in promotion of the event

Exclusions

·  Food vendors (mobile and pop-up) are not managed by Fresno Arts Council/Gallery on Fulton, and are not eligible for permits within the Gallery on Fulton boundary.

·  Resale of commercial or mass-market produced goods is prohibited. 

·  Generators are not allowed within the event’s permit area. You may use solar or battery-powered lighting and devices.

·  Vendors selling unauthorized goods (food, alcohol, drugs, commercial goods) will be asked to leave, even if you paid your fee.

·  Permits are non-refundable and non-transferrable

Liability Waiver

___ By checking this box and submitting a Vendor/Exhibitor application to Fresno Arts Council via Submittable, I acknowledge that I have voluntarily chosen to participate in Gallery on Fulton, managed by the Fresno Arts Council. 

I agree to comply with the guidelines in the 2025 Vendor/Exhibitor Agreement, as well as instructions onsite from FAC staff, event managers, and City personnel. 

I agree to waive, release, and discharge from liability the Fresno Arts Council, the City of Fresno, and their respective officers, directors, agents, and employees from any claims, actions, or damages arising from my participation in this event. 

I agree to indemnify and hold harmless Fresno Arts Council, the City of Fresno, and their respective officers, directors, agents, and employees from any claims, actions, or damages arising from my negligence, the Fresno Arts Council, or any other person or entity in connection with the event. 

This activity takes place on open public streets with unrestricted vehicular and pedestrian traffic and is attended by the public with no limitation on who may attend. As such, this event has the possibility of injury, including potential for death, serious injury, and property loss as a risk of being on public streets, with the public, and in the presence of automobiles. This activity takes place outdoors and has the risks associated with terrain, facilities, temperature, weather, condition of participants, equipment, lack of hydration, and actions of other people including, but not limited to, participants, volunteers, monitors, and/or producers of the activity. The risks are inherent for participants, organizers, and volunteers. I understand that I need to take appropriate precautions and provide for myself anything necessary to protect from weather, including shade and hydration.

I understand that while participating in this event, I may be photographed. I agree to allow my photo, video, or film likeness to be used for any legitimate purpose by the activity holders, producers, sponsors, organizers, or assigns.

I certify that I have read this document and I fully understand its contents. I am aware that this is a release of liability and a contract. I am aware that it constitutes an express and voluntary assumption of all risks associated with Gallery on Fulton, and I submit/sign it of my own free will.

**NOTE** THIS APPLICATION IS FOR VENUES (GALLERIES, CAFES, BUSINESSES WITH PHYSICAL LOCATION) NOT VENDORS. Fresno Arts Council does not manage independent vendors for ArtHop. 

Please call the Downtown Fresno Partnership for a list of vendor contacts. 559-490-9966. Thanks!

1. Annual ArtHop™ membership fee is $180.00 for the period of ArtHop™-related art programming occurring between January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025.

2. ArtHop™ participation requires a physical location to exhibit artwork, depending on circumstances that may be related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic or other public health emergencies and/or natural disasters. The Fresno Arts Council will assist you in contacting artists, or you can use our website and social networks to post an open call for artists.

3. ArtHop™ is FREE to the public and there is NO FEE for artists to exhibit artwork at your location. Therefore, you are prohibited from charging entrance fees and/or ticket sales during ArtHop™ and/or broker fees for exhibitions. You may, however, discuss the terms and rates of a commission from any sales made during ArtHop™ or the exhibition period at your location at your discretion.

4. Once you have confirmed and booked an artist for the exhibition, please inform your artist(s) with a production timeline for the agreed-upon exhibition in a reasonable manner, i.e. one-day or monthlong exhibit or more, so that artist(s) can prepare. We suggest drafting an agreement with your artist(s) that clearly states the dates and times for both installation and removal of each confirmed booking with your artist(s).

5. ArtHop™ is observed on the first and third Thursday of each month between the hours of 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. You are welcome to open your ArtHop™ event(s) earlier and/or extend your hours past this general event period. 

a. ArtHop™ venues will provide a public reception during ArtHop™ hours, or from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Music and/or other artistic performances are optional but encouraged. Receptions may include snacks or appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages. Venues that choose to serve alcohol must be compliant with ordinances from the City of Fresno: you may need to acquire a one-day license or permit. If serving alcoholic beverages, venues should monitor the serving area to ensure that no minors under 21 years of age are served whether directly or indirectly.

b. All exhibiting artists must be present and/or available during the ArtHop™ event to greet the public and discuss their artwork. ArtHop™ venues will be supplied with ArtHop™ brochures for promotion. If you require additional printed brochures during the 2024 season, please contact the Fresno Arts Council during regular business hours.

c. The first Thursday ArtHop™ is held in Downtown Fresno and the Tower District areas; the third Thursday ArtHop™ is held in the greater Fresno metropolitan area, including the City of Clovis and outlying areas of Fresno County.

6. The Fresno Arts Council does not provide insurance coverage for your ArtHop™ event and is not responsible for any damages and/or loss of property. Venues will provide insurance for ArtHop™. Artist(s) featured during ArtHop™. Featured Artists will provide insurance coverage for their own artwork(s) exhibited.

7. ArtHop™ venues are responsible for submitting event programming updates, including any flyers and/or social media, to the Fresno Arts Council by the Friday before the next scheduled ArtHop™ date. This will allow Fresno Arts Council staff time to promote your upcoming ArtHop™ event(s) online through our website, e-newsletters, and social media. You may send (1) image and a brief blurb (200 words or less) describing the event to elisa.flores@fresnoartscouncil.org.

8. ArtHop™ venues are encouraged to release promotional materials to the media (and the Fresno Arts Council) at least 30 days prior to the event. Please email announcements to elisa.flores@fresnoartscouncil.org. Printed materials may be delivered to the Fresno Arts Council during regular business hours or mailed to our address: 1245 Van Ness Avenue, Fresno CA 93721.

If you have questions about the terms of these general guidelines, please contact elisa.flores@fresnoartscouncil.org or call (559) 237-9734 during our regular business hours. We are open Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM PDT/PST. Thank you for your support for the arts in Fresno County, and for sustaining ArtHop™’s 25th year of free and public arts programming!

The Fresno Arts Council in partnership with The Fresno City Hall, is now accepting submissions from artists, art groups and art organizations to exhibit artwork at one of two floors from January 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2025.
 

FRESNO ARTS COUNCIL & CITY OF FRESNO EXHIBITS IN PUBLIC PLACES GUIDELINES


2025

PURPOSE
 The City of Fresno (City) and the Fresno Arts Council (FAC) wishes to expand the art experience for the public, to make available to this community artwork of high quality, to help create a more visually pleasing environment, and seek to provide awareness in the diverse histories and cultures of this community.

STATEMENT OF INTENT
 City Hall is a public facility of the City; it’s not a formal museum, nor is it a commercial gallery; it’s a facility for conducting government business. The audience ranges from children to the aged, from employees to the general public, from people with limited life experiences to the sophisticated, from the few who come to the facility specifically to see the exhibits to the many that are required to be present for various reasons. The exhibit provides artists with access to a wider audience, and it provides the public an exposure to art, which they might not seek on their own. All exhibits should be appropriate for such a mixed audience. Artwork that makes Political Commentary will not be displayed.

CITY & FAC RESPONSIBILITIES
 1. The City and FAC will be responsible for providing the necessary supplies needed for hanging the exhibits. If special equipment is required, FAC and their Curators will coordinate with the Exhibitor and the City.
 2. The City and FAC do not provide insurance for the artwork of the Exhibitor.

EXHIBIT CRITERIA
 1. Each work cannot be taller than 34”; the length size is open on north and south walls; on east walls, work can be considerably higher, but not wider than 54”. Each work cannot weigh over 50 lbs. All work needs to be wired to hang in our hanging system.

 2. Each work must be completely dry--no freshly painted work accepted; professionally finished and framed (uni-frames not acceptable); backed with hooks and coated wire positioned near top of work and ready for display. If wire is positioned too close to the middle of the piece it will not hang flat.

 3. Write artist name and title of work on the back of each work.
 1. Exhibitor will deliver work on the scheduled dates at City Hall at 8:30 a.m. and pick up work at 8:30 a.m.

 2. Pedestals or easels to display work are not permitted due to safety regulations at City Hall.

 3. Deliver work and labels describing each work (headstones) to be displayed next to each work. Print labels using Avery “Clean Edge” Business Cards; handwritten labels not accepted for display. No changes to labels will be permitted during the exhibit. If changes are required contact FAC with said changes and provide an equal label for replacement. Sold pieces can be marked with a dot sticker on the label. The information required on the labels are as follows:
 Title of work
 Name of artist
 Medium
 Year
 Price; show NFS if not for sale
 Exhibitor will provide FAC a list of work exhibited. If possible, include numbered stickers on artwork matching the artwork to the numbers on the list.

 7. Exhibitions must include an “Artist Statement” describing artwork, size 8.5” x 11” framed, mounted and ready for display. Email the statement for approval prior to the exhibition date to: elisa.flores@fresnoartscouncil.org

 8. Exhibitor will deliver work at City Hall. PLEASE NOTE: Artwork will be selected and hung at the discretion of the Preparator PRIOR TO BEING HUNG. After work has been selected, Exhibitor will take the work that was not selected.

ARTIST OR ORGANIZATION RESPONSIBILITIES
 The Exhibitor selected to display artwork at City Hall must comply with the following guidelines:

 1. Signed Agreement and Schedule of Works must be submitted to FAC before exhibition is mounted.

 2. Schedule of Works must include prices consistent with the labels displayed.
 3. Provide the name of a person to coordinate and oversee all arrangements necessary for the exhibition, publicity and installation plans. Exhibitor must provide all labor to transport work to City Hall, and whatever else is deemed appropriate.

 4. Exhibitor will deliver and pick up work by designated schedule. If work not claimed by the pickup date, it will be transported and stored at the FAC office.
 5.  Exhibitor can provide a reception during ArtHop on the first Thursday of the month from
 5-8 pm; free to the public. Receptions not on a regularly scheduled ArtHop must be approved in advance by FAC.

 6. An Alcohol permit must be requested a month in advance in order to serve alcohol during your reception. No alcoholic beverages are served to minors at the receptions. 

  7. NO WINE BOTTLES OR GLASSES ARE ALLOWED IN CITY HALL. Box wine, wine bags, beer cans are allowed.
 

8. Exhibitor must be present during the ArtHop event, or other receptions open to the public.

 9. No soliciting of a private or political nature shall occur with the exception of informational material regarding the artist’s work or the organization itself.

 10. Public information and/or advertising regarding the exhibition, receptions and other activities are the responsibility of the exhibitor. FAC must approve the use of their name in any promotional materials and reception details in advance.

 11. Exhibitor must provide their own insurance; the City and FAC does not provide insurance.

 12. Artwork displayed may be available for sale. Exhibitor is responsible for the sale transactions. The interested party will contact FAC and we’ll contact the Exhibitor.

 13. Exhibitor agrees to notify FAC one month in advance, or ASAP, if unable to exhibit work during the scheduled dates at City Hall. FAC will seek a replacement for the exhibition.
EXHIBIT RESTRICTIONS
 1.Artwork will not be displayed without a signed Agreement and a Schedule of Works.

 2. All exhibits and events are subject to change without notice. FAC will do their best to keep in contact with Exhibitor of any changes.

 3. Artwork cannot be added or removed premature to the exhibition schedule.

 4. Artwork must not be of a nature that would threaten public safety or contain graphic nudity or profanity.

 5. Exhibits must abide by all City and Fire Code Regulations; access must be available to all exits at City Hall.

 6. No painting or reconstruction of any wall is allowed.

 7. No hammering, screwing, or pounding, or attaching anything to the exhibit walls, spaces, or areas are allowed. Hanging rails and display space and area must be used appropriately.

 Please sign this form. if selected, to exhibit at City Hall and you agree with all the above guidelines. This form must be signed and received within 15 days of notification to Exhibitor, or this agreement is cancelled.



Exhibitor’s Signature: ______________________________________________________
Printed Name: ____________________________________________________________
Date: ___________________________________________________________________
Home Phone: ____________________________________________________________
Cell: ____________________________________________________________________
E-mail: __________________________________________________________________
Note: This is an abridged version of the City of Fresno Exhibits in Public Places Policy accepted by the Fresno City Council on June 2, 1992.