Call for Artists -- Canyon Flats Video Wall: Video and Digital Media Art

Deadline: November 18, 2025, 11PM PST or when 75 applications are received

Summary

The City of Reno is seeking existing video/digital media art to be displayed on a large-scale video wall facing Virginia Street in downtown Reno. This call is open to all artists working with video who live in the State of Nevada.

Description

The City of Reno is seeking digital artworks from artists to be displayed on a video wall located inside of the Canyon Flats off-campus student community in downtown Reno. The wall is visible to the public from Virginia Street, the main thoroughfare through downtown Reno. The video wall is approximately 12’ x 6.75’ and has sound projected outside along the sidewalk.

The City of Reno is looking for video/digital media art that is appropriate for all audiences. Due to the transitory nature of the audience, works up to 5 minutes in length or less are preferable. All rights of artwork remain property of the artist. Each artist may submit (1) one completed artwork for consideration. 

Up to twelve artists will be selected and each artist’s work will be presented on its own for a period of one to three months. Selected artists will work with the program manager to adapt selected work for optimal presentation. Selected artists will receive a $200 honorarium.

Selection Criteria

The Reno Arts and Culture Advisory Board (ACAB) will review submissions based foremost upon demonstrated artistic merit. Artworks should be innovative, engaging, and compatible with the exhibition location in terms of public audience, scale, medium, and format.

If applicable, selected artists must ensure that they have secured necessary talent releases and use rights. Works must respect and adhere to copyright and intellectual property law.

Location and Technical Info

The video wall is located inside of the Canyon Flat Apartments, an off-campus student community, in downtown Reno. The video wall faces Virginia Street, which is the main artery from the University of Nevada Reno campus through the heart of downtown.

The video wall is made up of nine (9) LG 55LV35A-5B LED screens that display the video as one large image (single channel). There are two directional speakers mounted on the outside of the building. However, due to the urban setting and traffic noise, video should not be highly dependent upon sound.

Timeline 

Tuesday, November 18, 2025, 11pm PST - Submission due online via Submittable

Mid-December - Reno Arts and Culture Advisory Board review applications

Early January - Artists notified

March 2026 – Video Wall Programmed 

*Depending on volume and length of applications, reviews, selection, and notification dates may be extended for the review committee and staff

For more information about City of Reno programs, visit www.RenoCulture.com. For questions about Submittable or technical assistance, please contact Submittable. For questions regarding the call, please contact City of Reno Arts & Culture Public Art Coordinator, Erica Hill, at hille@reno.gov or (775) 689-8459.

Special Event Sponsorship


SUMMARY:
    The City of Reno Special Event Sponsorships are awarded to permitted events hosted in the City of Reno. The events may be anywhere within the Reno city limits. Sponsorships will be used to off-set City services billed in conjunction with the performance of the special event. 

A Special Event is any planned gathering of 75 or more persons which is to assemble or travel in an organized manner on any street, park or other public property; or,

Any planned activity conducted by a person for a common or collective use, purpose or benefit which directly or indirectly involves the use of, and has an impact on, city street(s), park(s), or other public property or facilities which reasonable requires city management, regulation, or resources to protect the health, safety, welfare, or property of the city or its residents, coordinate multiple used of public property, control traffic, or address other substantial governmental interests at or around the activity.

Examples of special events include, but are not limited to:

• Parades;
• Street fairs and festivals;
• Live commercial music events;
• Athletic or sporting events (e.g. races, runs);
• Circuses or carnivals;
• Community celebrations and observances;
• Commercial shows, trade shows, and business promotions;
• Commercial promotional or fund-raising activities.

           A competitive application will demonstrate economic, social, or cultural impact as well as a plan to reach in the following ways:
 

• Engages participants through a variety of means
• Event times, locations, facilities, and technology are accessible to the public
• Collects participant feedback and uses the results to improve future special events
• Demonstrates social, educational, cultural, and/or economic relevance for the community
• Contributes to vibrant, creative neighborhoods
   

ELIGIBILITY:
 

• Event permitted January 1st 2025-December 31st 2026
• Special Event Permit Application must be submitted PRIOR to your sponsorship application 
• Payment for Special Event fees charged by the City must be paid in FULL to be eligible for sponsorship
• Your account with the City of Reno must be up to date and have no outstanding balances to be considered
• Held within City limits

Special Event Sponsorship applications will be evaluated based on the following:
            1.  The Event: All answers in this section address overall merit including overall benefit to the Community including tourism, open space activation, and cultural impact.
            2. The Community: Questions in this section describe the organization’s ability to engage the community effectively. Answers should include evidence that the organization understands the economic impact or community engagement.
            3. Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations: These questions will seek to learn your target audience, communication plans, and what resources will be dedicated to marketing and promoting your event.
            4. Financial: This section will address the specific budget for the event or project. Show realistic numbers for costs related to the event.


FUNDING:        
        Committee discretion for allocation of up to $200,000 for events permitted in Reno. Limits per event will be set and determined by the Sponsorship Committee.


Sponsorship funds will not be dispersed until final billing for Special Events fees charged by the City is complete.


TIMELINE:        

Sponsorship is eligible for events occurring between January 1st 2026-December 31st 2026. Applications will be reviewed on an annual basis.


DEADLINE:
        APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY December 1st, 2025 FOR CONSIDERATION. 

           *If you need assistance, please reach out to Rachel Macintyre MacintyreR@reno.gov if you have any questions.
            *If you would like assistance in Spanish, please contact staff at Arie Zamorano - (775) 348-6907, zamoranoa@reno.gov or Luci Ramos - (775) 348-6904, ramosl@reno.gov.
            *Si desea asistencia en español o para asistir a un taller de becas en español, comuníquese con el personal al Arie Zamorano - (775) 348-6907, zamoranoa@reno.gov o Luci Ramos - (775) 348-6904, ramosl@reno.gov.