Call for Submissions - Sidewalk Poetry

The Springville Public Art Program is seeking poems, poetic lines, or excerpts from poems in English or Spanish from Springville-based artists and writers for its Sidewalk Poetry Public Art project.

The project gives Springville residents the opportunity to display their own writing publicly and enables the participation of artists or writers without previous public art experience. The poems, poetic lines, or excerpts from poems, should highlight Springville’s heritage, identity, and unique characteristics. They should consider Springville’s rich traditions, natural beauty, or “Art City” moniker. Use the following question to help guide you:

How do you experience Springville? What do you see, hear, smell, or feel when you explore your neighborhood? What resonates with you when you visit places like Hobble Creek, Bartholomew Pond, Dry Creek Trail, the Museum or any other notable public spaces in Springville?

Chosen poems, poetic lines, or excerpts from poems, will be formatted and printed on vinyl specific for sidewalks. These will be installed along 100 E between the Library and Museum beginning Spring 2026. Eventually they may be made into metal concrete stamps and imprinted into the fresh concrete of new sidewalks throughout Springville. Springville will be responsible for fabrication and installation of the infrastructure for these poems.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 01/30/2026

SUBMISSIONS: All entries should be submitted through Submittable, the link can be found at https://smofa.com/public-art-opportunities You will need to create a login to Submittable to apply, if you don't already have one. 

COMMISSION: Up to $250 per commission; up to 20 available commissions

ELIGIBILITY: This Call for Artists is open to all *emerging and professional artists or artist-led teams who currently reside or work within Springville, Utah, regardless of race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, political opinion or affiliation, or mental or physical disability. Must be 8 years or older.

*Emerging, without previous public art experience, are strongly encouraged to apply.

SUBMISSION DETAILS:

• No AI allowed, only original, human-created works will be considered
• Open to ages 8 & up
• Writers/poets whose work is selected will receive up to $250
• Please prioritize brevity
• Each line printed or stamped will be approximately 3” tall
• 150 characters or less. You may submit an excerpt of a longer writing, or you may submit an entire poem and give permission to the selection committee to choose the excerpt
• The selection committee will choose and curate the final exhibition  
• The final poems will be placed on the sidewalk along 100 E. in Springville. The selection committee will determine the placement of each poem.
• If the committee is selecting an excerpt, they will keep the original intent and work with the writer/poet to edit as needed
• Springville City reserves the right to change or modify this project at any time

QUESTIONS: All questions regarding this Call for Literature are to be directed to the Springville Public Art Coordinator by email at LGleaves@SpringvilleUtah.gov.