Phoenix is in the running to receive up to $1 million in a public art challenge sponsored by Bloomberg Philanthropies.

The city has been named one of 17 finalists for a grant that supports public art “that address essential local civic issues in cities nationwide,” according to a release.

Phoenix's proposed project, ¡Sombra!, aims to address heat mitigation “by creating a family-friendly festival introducing a dialogue about Phoenix's urban heat challenges to a new audience.”

The festival is designed to bring residents together with public art installations as well as activities for children. Food and music would help celebrate the community, city officials said. 

“¡Sombra! will foster community dialogue among residents about the city's extreme heat challenges,” they added.

The project will feature up to 12 artists whose work deals with the urban heat crisis. Works may include shade and cooling structures that create street-scale microclimates as well as other installations and participatory arts experiences.

The installations will debut at the one-day ¡Sombra! Festival but installations will remain on display for a year.

Phoenix was selected as a finalist from more than 150 proposals from cities in 40 states. This fall, Bloomberg Philanthropies will select up to 10 winning cities.

For more: publicartchallenge.bloomberg.org.