CALL FOR ART
The People’s Storefront: Temporary Public Art
Where community, creativity, and connection thrive.
“The People ‘s Storefront” is a paid opportunity that invites artists to showcase their original works of art on glass storefronts along the historic Euclid Avenue corridor. The Downtown Ontario Improvement Association (DOIA), with support from the City of Ontario’s Museum, Arts & Culture Department, seeks to select up to four artists or artist teams to create site-specific vinyl installations for local businesses in Downtown Ontario’s cultural core. Selected artists will transform storefronts into vibrant temporary public art displays that highlight local talent, activate the streetscape, and draw visitors to downtown businesses.
The project title pays tribute to Ontario’s historic “People’s Store,” founded in 1888 by Hickman “Mike” Phillips. The store became the city’s largest mercantile business and a beloved downtown destination rooted in supporting local businesses and community connections.
Project Goals
This project aims to:
- Increase visibility of local and regional artists
- Foster a sense of place and celebrate Ontario’s historic downtown
- Use art as an economic driver for local businesses
- Create engaging visual experiences that attract residents and visitors, encouraging them to spend time downtown.
Project Details
Project Details
- This project is open to artists based in Southern California within a 40-mile radius of the City of Ontario, with a strong encouragement for local Ontario-based artists and artists residing in San Bernardino County.
- Each artist selected will be paid $3,500 for use of their artwork and participation. (see sample artist agreement)
- Artists should interpret the themes with innovation and creativity.
- Artists should keep in mind that the context of Artwork submitted must be of a non-political nature, and in accordance with the City’s Public Art Ordinance (Ontario Municipal Code Chapter 5-33).
- Artists are required to submit a high-resolution image file. Files will be printed on commercial vinyl and installed by a professional company.
- Artworks can be existing or new but must be complete and final upon submission.
- Artworks can be photographs or reproductions of the artist’s paintings, drawings, installations, etc. All images and words must be the artist’s original creation.
- Projects deemed ineligible will not be funded. Examples of ineligible projects include but are not limited to: (1) projects incorporating discriminatory signs or language, (2) projects that are obscene or harmful to minors, and (3) projects with solely religious purposes.
Submission Requirements
- Submissions must be made via the online platform Submittable at: OntarioCA.Submittable.com.
- Resume / Artist Vitae (two-pages max)
- Artist Statement (Up to 500 words max)
- Up to ten images for review and selection. The Downtown Ontario Improvement Association and the City may select more than one image of artwork per artist and image files may be used more than once.
- Images files submitted for review do not need to be high-resolution. If selected artists must submit high quality digital files that are either: high-resolution files at least 300 dpi at 32 x 80 inches (TIFF, JPEG, or PNG)
NOTE: This project will reproduce original artworks that have been created within the past seven years from participating artists. All artwork will be printed on commercial sign material and installed on the windows by a professional company. We will need large files because entire windows will be filled.
Deadline to Submit
Tuesday, June 30, 2026, by 4 PM PST
Applications must be complete and include all required attachments to be considered.
Rating Criteria
Artists and artist teams will be evaluated on a 100-point scale and must submit the following:
- Resume / Artist Vitae (10 points)
- Artist Statement (15 points)
- Statement of Interest (15 points)
- Images (55 points)
Project Budget
If design is selected: $3,500
- Artists may be asked to work directly with the Downtown Ontario Improvement Association and the City to refine design(s) based on feedback from business owners or from the project team.
- Also, artists may be invited to participate in short videos for social media or public speaking engagements during unveiling or local events.
Other Requirements, if selected for this project
Artists will:
- Enter an agreement with the Downtown Ontario Improvement Association for the duration of the project.
- Submit high resolution digital file that are:
• Vector files - .AI, .PS, .PDF (minimum 300 dpi)
• Design files need to be sized to the specified surface measurements. Accurate measurements of building's surfaces will be provided once selection of artists is finalized.
- Consent to having their selected artwork to be edited and/or manipulated by contracted vendor and graphic designer to fit scope of project for fabrication and installation.
- Collaborate with the Downtown Ontario Improvement Association and the City of Ontario to adjust any specifications to file or artwork to ensure highest quality print.
- Optional: Participate in one to two outreach activities coordinated by the City of Ontario and/or Downtown Ontario Improvement Association to help increase awareness about this project and the selected artwork.
- Optional: If available, provide social media handles for additional online recognition.
Publicity
The Downtown Ontario Improvement Association and the City of Ontario will include the artists’ information on its website, social media outlets, and other media. Artwork credit and text will be installed near the artwork. The Downtown Ontario Improvement Association and the City reserve the right to photograph the artwork for promotional purposes. All copyrights remain with the artist.
*Anticipated Project Timeline
- Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Call for Art released on an online platform Submittable: OntarioCA.Submittable.com
- Tuesday, June 30, 2026 by 4 PM PST
Deadline for submissions
- Week of July 6, 2026
Submissions reviewed
- Week of July 21, 2026
Artist Selection Panel meets and makes final selection
- Late August, 2026
Artwork will be converted into the proper digital files and shared with the fabrication vendor to begin fabrication process
- Early October, 2026
Installation and unveiling
*Anticipated project timeline may be adjusted due to changes in business locations and any unexpected site preparation needs.
About the Downtown Ontario Improvement Association
The Downtown Ontario Improvement Association is a public benefit corporation whose primary function is to administer the Downtown Ontario Community Benefit Improvement District. DOIA’s goal is to keep Downtown Ontario clean, safe, and family-friendly, while also maximizing community benefit for business owners, property owners, and residents of the area. We plan to beautify the area, improve its functionality, and create a positive space in the City.
About the City of Ontario's Museum, Arts & Culture Department
The City of Ontario’s Museum, Arts & Culture Department advances an understanding of regional history and art through museum exhibits, collections stewardship, educational programs, annual arts festivals, and public art. The department’s programs enhance knowledge and understanding of our community through dynamic and vibrant experiences that reflect pride in who we are, where we live, and our legacy. In 2022, Ontario’s City Council established the City’s Public Art Program to promote 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.
We’re here to help
City of Ontario, Museum, Arts & Culture Department
Vanessa Murray, Public Art Coordinator
(909) 395-2510
MuseumInfo@ontarioca.gov
Subject line: Call for Art: The People’s Storefront, Temporary Public Art
The City of Ontario’s Department of Museum, Arts, & Culture and the Chaffey Community Museum of Art are excited to announce the eighth annual Ontario Arts Festival. The Arts Festival, which attracts as many as 2,000 visitors annually, exemplifies the City’s commitment to making Ontario the destination for arts and culture in the Inland Empire.
The Ontario Arts Festival is seeking independent artists for the festival to be held October 17, 2026. This one-day event features over sixty artist booths offering a wide variety of visual arts, as well as other attractions for Festival visitors including food trucks, a beer garden, art activities, and music. Visitors to the Festival will also be able to visit galleries of the Ontario Museum of History & Art and the Chaffey Community Museum of Art, where admission is always free.
We accept a wide range of artists and mediums, including but not limited to fine art, textiles, ceramics/pottery, digital art, photography, jewelry, metal, wood, and more.
All applications are reviewed by a diverse jury made up of city staff, artists, and local residents.
We are also pleased to present the Artist of Distinction Award that will be selected and designated on the day of the festival. The winning artist will receive $500 and bragging rights!
All artists MUST complete the Submittable.com application in order to be considered for the Festival.
The Ontario Arts Festival has the sole discretion to advise an artist if the work does not comply with Festival standards. If approved, invited artists will receive additional vendor requirements for participating in the event.
A nominal booth application fee of seventy-five dollars ($75.00) is due but will not be collected until the artist has been accepted for participation in the Arts Festival. Once paid, this fee is non-refundable.
Event Highlights for Participating Artists
· Booth fee ($75) that includes a 10’ x 10’ canopy, table linens if needed, one 6-foot table, and two chairs · Artists keep 100% of their sales transactions – the Festival does not take a commission on sales · Assistance with set-up and take-down · Available wi-fi onsite · Free social media kit · Artist swag bag
Application Submittal Requirements
Artists must be a resident of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, or San Bernardino counties. Preference for Pomona Valley residents living in Chino, Chino Hills, Claremont, Corona, Fontana, Montclair, Norco, Ontario, Pomona, Rancho Cucamonga, and Upland, but all applicants are welcome.
To get started, fill out the application via Submittable.com. No other form of application will be accepted. Late or incomplete applications cannot be considered.
Things to know:
- You will need to create an account with Submittable (this is free of charge.)
- Be sure the email in your Submittable account is correct; this will be our primary method for communication about your application.
Applications must be submitted by the application deadline to be considered. To get started, fill out the application via the link above.
