Title
Artist Contracts for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Terminal 3 Modernization Public Art Project (Ordinance S-52126) - District 8
Description
Request authorization for the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into four contracts with artists Kenaim Al-Shatti, Erwin Redl (Paramedia LLC), Lily Reeves (with Grace Fox, May Ling Tang, Preston Williams), and Nancy Hou with Josh de Sousa, each in an amount not to exceed $100,000 (for a total of $400,000), to work with the Aviation Department design team to create artwork for the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Terminal 3 Modernization Project. Val Britton (Britton Studio LLC) and Casey Farina were chosen as alternates, who would be contracted only if the selected artists could not complete the projects. Further request authorization for the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
The Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-29 Public Art Plan includes funding for multiple artworks to be integrated into the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport’s Terminal 3 Modernization Project. In collaboration with the Aviation Department, Arts and Culture sought to commission artwork and amenities to be integrated into the Project, which is currently in the design phase.
The new North Concourse at Terminal 3 will be approximately 140,000 square feet over three levels and add six gates to the terminal. In addition, two new connectors will link the new concourse with Terminal 4 and other areas of Terminal 3 for easier transfers. As part of this project, artists will be expected to design artwork that will enrich the passenger experience with bold artistic statements and make traveling more enjoyable by creating immersive and memorable spaces.
A Request for Qualifications for the project was released on July 24, 2024, with a submission deadline of August 30, 2024. Nearly 400 applications were received. On May 6, 2025, a five-member artist selection panel reviewed qualified applications and selected the following artists:
- Kenaim Al-Shatti;
- Erwin Redl (Paramedia LLC);
- Lily Reeves (with Grace Fox, May Ling Tang, Preston Williams); and
- Nancy Hou with Josh de Sousa.
The artists were recommended based on their potential to create exceptional artwork and their ability to work effectively with complex design teams. Val Britton (Britton Studio LLC) and Casey Farina were chosen as alternates, who would be contracted only if the selected artists could not complete the projects. The selection panel included Kati Ballares, Director of Public Art, Scottsdale Arts; Nicole Armstrong-Best, Director, S'edav Va'aki Museum; Haley Hinds, Manager, Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport Museum; Frank Cauthen, Senior Project Designer, HOK Architecture and Planning; and Rembrandt Quiballo, artist and Phoenix resident.
Financial Impact
The Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Terminal 3 Modernization Public Art Project is one of 48 projects in the FY 2024-29 Public Art Plan that the City Council approved on July 1, 2024. The total budget is $4,500,000. The four proposed $100,000 design contracts (totaling $400,000) will cover all costs related to the artists working with City staff and the Aviation Design Team to develop final designs for public art projects. Additional funding in the Plan for this project covers fabrication, construction, staff time, contingency, and other administrative costs.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Phoenix Arts and Culture Commission reviewed and approved the recommended artists at its May 20, 2025, meeting by a vote of 11-0.
Location
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, 3400 E. Sky Harbor Boulevard.
Council District: 8
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager David Mathews and the Office of Arts and Culture.