RC50: A City in Focus

August 19, 2026 | By City of RC

CALL FOR ARTIST - REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

RC50: A City in Focus Community Photography Exhibition banner with a collage of community photographs.

Please read and review ALL application materials before applying

Call Summary

The City of Rancho Cucamonga is seeking original photography by local community members. RC50: A City in Focus is a citywide photography exhibition celebrating the City of Rancho Cucamonga’s 50th Anniversary by showcasing the people, places, and stories that define our community. Through a public call for photography submissions, residents, local photographers, and community members will have the opportunity to share their unique perspectives of Rancho Cucamonga.

The original photograph submissions can be in one of the following file types PDF, .ai, .psd, TIFF or JPEG. TIFF and JPEG need to be a minimum of 150 DPI and a minimum of 2,000 pixels. Final digital photograph will then be integrated into an exhibit layout by a third-party vendor.

Selected artists will be paid a $200 stipend. Applicants may submit one (1) entry.

Open to all ages (with parent/guardian permission for minors).

A jury panel will select 50 photographs to be displayed throughout the City, creating an accessible experience that connects residents and visitors to the diverse character of our community. The project celebrates 50 years of growth, history, and community through the lens of those who call Rancho Cucamonga home.

Estimated Timeline

  • Call for Artists Launch: October 1, 2026
  • Application Submission Deadline: December 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (PDT), or earlier if 200 applications are received (whichever occurs first)
  • Art Selection Panel Judging: January 4 – 25, 2027
  • Artist(s) Selected: February 1, 2027

Geographic Eligibility Requirements: This is an open call, but preference will be given to applicants who work, reside, or attend school in the Inland Empire Region

Artists of selected artwork understand and agree to the following: Selected photographs will be digitally applied to display banners. Art is applied to functioning equipment that may need repair or replacement. No guarantee is issued for the location or longevity of display.

Application Portal Coming Soon- RC50: A City in Focus Call for Artists

Project Description

The City of Rancho Cucamonga invites photographers of all experience levels to submit original photographs that capture the spirit, character, and stories of our community in celebration of the City’s 50th Anniversary. Selected photographs will become part of a citywide exhibition featuring 50 images displayed in public spaces throughout Rancho Cucamonga.

Artist Guidelines and Requirements

Artist Eligibility

  • Open to all ages (with parent/guardian permission for minors)
  • Artist must reside in the Inland Empire region
  • Artist does not need to have completed a project with a similar budget, scale, or scope to apply
  • Current employees of the City are not eligible to apply for this Call for Artists
  • Applicants may submit one (1) entry

Budget

  • Selected artists will be awarded a $200 stipend. City Public Art Staff must verify the completion of the artist application before funds are disbursed

Artist Responsibilities

  • It is the responsibility of the artist to submit a complete application by the due date listed at the top of the application, as well as to include all required materials
  • Artist will need to be available via email
  • The artist retains the copyright of the artwork

City Responsibilities

  • The City will work with a third-party vendor to install the selected photographs
  • The City is responsible for the maintenance of artwork
  • The City owns all installed artwork and reserves the right to copy, reproduce and adjust the artwork as it sees fit, in perpetuity
  • The artist retains the copyright of the artwork
  • The City reserves the right to remove, replace or adjust the artwork as necessary for the duration of the project and/or the artwork

Themes

The artist has the discretion to submit a photo showcasing the people, places, and stories that define our Rancho Cucamonga community:

  • Community – People and everyday moments, our neighborhoods and landmarks, celebrations and traditions
  • Rancho Cucamonga – History
  • Topography of the land – Natural and artificial physical features in our community
  • Nature – Plants and animals native to the region

Design Guidelines

All artwork must be original and created by the artist(s) applying for this project. Artwork must not contain:

  • Political statements or persons
  • Religious references, symbols, or numbers
  • Copyrighted or trademarked material
  • Corporate or organizational branding
  • Offensive or obscene reference or imagery

Only original photographs are accepted. Designs may not include any breach of intellectual property, trademarks, brands, images of illegal activity. Submitted photographs must be appropriate for public display in civic spaces. Artists are responsible for obtaining any necessary permission or consent from identifiable individuals depicted in their photographs for the public display and use of the submitted work.