Central Avenue Bridge Public Art Project
Budget: Approximately $40,000 USD
Eligibility: Artists living in the state of Colorado
DEADLINE: Monday June 2, 2025; 11:59 p.m. MST
Introduction
The Boulder Public Art Program seeks to commission an artist or team of artists to create original mosaic artworks for the soon to be constructed Central Avenue Bridge in Boulder, Colorado. The Central Avenue Bridge will undergo a replacement located along the north side of Central Avenue, near 57th street, adjacent to Flatiron Industrial Park in the coming months. This opportunity is for two mosaic artworks to be installed on the concrete bridge walls facing the sidewalk and street. Each side of the bridge contains an inset for mosaic art of approx., 2.5H’ x 20L’ x .5” D. The commission amount is approximately $40,000 USD.
Flatiron Park
Flatiron Park offers a mix of creative offices and life science spaces with cutting-edge, open-office environments. The office and light industrial park have attracted a mix of businesses including quantum, bio and tech. Flatiron Park aims to become the “innovation hub” of Boulder. Flatiron Park is a desirable campus environment with reserved open space, mature landscaping, access to Boulder pedestrian and bicycle paths, and Flatiron Mountain views throughout. The amenities in the park create a unique sense of community with a local coffee shop and brewery situated among Boulder’s other commercial activity centers.
Materials & Media
The selection panel members have created specific goals and parameters for this public art project of creating unique and inspiring mosaic works of art to speak to the daily flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic across the bridge. The panel is looking for a two-dimensional exterior mosaic artwork in glass and/or ceramic tile that offer a cutting-edge aesthetic highlighting the innovation and technology that represents the businesses in the surrounding area, while also drawing attention to Boulder’s natural beauty. Artworks will be visible from the street view and should also enhance the experience for pedestrians walking across the bridge. The selection panel is open to artwork made from mosaic materials that are easy to clean and maintain, and suitable for outdoor display.
Maintenance & Durability
All applicants are expected to consider the issues of long-term conservation and maintenance of public art, along with time and budget. These projects are located in the public realm and may therefore be exposed to physical stresses, as well as be subject to vandalism. Public art projects should be fabricated of highly durable, low-maintenance materials. Finalists are encouraged to consult with a professional conservator prior to the submission of a final proposal and should ensure conformity with city standards of maintenance and durability, as well as ADA standards. All finalists are expected to stay within budget and to complete work in an approved time frame.
Eligibility
This project is open to Colorado artists regardless of race, color, creed, gender, gender variance, sexual orientation, national origin, age, religion, marital status, political opinion or affiliation, or mental or physical disability. The selection panel is especially interested in artists who can demonstrate an understanding of the area’s history, landscape, and culture. Mosaic artists are especially encouraged to apply.
Can a team apply?
Applicants may apply as a single artist or multi-person collaborative group. If applying as a team, please submit one résumé for the team, with one page per team member.
Applying for these opportunities
In response to this RFQ, applicants will be asked to submit four digital images, a résumé, and a statement of interest no longer than 2,000 characters via www.callforentry.org (CaFÉ™). From these applications, the selection panel will choose three finalists who will create site-specific proposals and be interviewed by the panel. These shortlisted finalist artists will be paid an honorarium of $500 for this work. From the interview and proposal, an artist or artist team will be selected for this commission. The selected artist or artist team will collaborate with City of Boulder staff and the design and construction teams when finalizing their designs for installation.
Budget
The budget for this commission is approximately $40,000.00 USD which will be allocated to the artist/team selected. These funds come from the City of Boulder’s 1% for Public Art Policy resulting from the construction of the Central Avenue Bridge. This contract amount is inclusive of all costs associated with the project including, but not limited to: the artist’s design fee, other consultation fees such as structural engineering consultation, insurance (including Colorado Workers Compensation), tools, materials, fabrication, transportation, installation, any building or site modification required, travel to and from the site, per diem expenses, project documentation, contingency to cover unexpected expenses, and any other costs.
Timeline
(Except for online application deadline, timeline is subject to adjustments)
Monday June 2, 2025; 11:59 P.M. MST Deadline for entry (via CaFÉ™ system)
June 2025 Finalist Selection
July 2025 Artist Selection and Notification
Project Selection Panel
According to Boulder’s public art policy, the project selection panel plays an active role in the acquisition of public art for Boulder. The Central Avenue Bridge selection panel is comprised of five voting members and additional non-voting advisors. The selection panel is responsible for reviewing the site, establishing criteria, writing a request for qualifications, reviewing applications, and selecting and interviewing finalists and identifying an artist for the commission.
Selection Process
Three artists/artist teams will be selected as finalists. Those selected will receive more specific information regarding the site and have the opportunity to meet with site representatives, the design team, selection panel, and public art program staff. The finalists will receive an honorarium to prepare and present the proposal virtually. The selection panel will review the proposals, interview the finalists and recommend an artist for the commission. The final recommendation of the selection panel will be presented to the Boulder Arts Commission, and the City Manager for final approval. All decisions of the City of Boulder are final.
Materials to be Submitted
Please read this section carefully. Incomplete applications will NOT be considered. The applicant’s name must appear on all materials submitted.
All materials must be submitted online, via the CaFÉ™ website (www.callforentry.org). There is no application fee to apply or to use the CaFÉ™ online application system.
Digital Images—In order to be considered for this project, the applicant must electronically submit four digital images of previously completed artworks through the CaFÉ™ system.
Instructions on how to format images to CaFÉ™ specifications can be found at https://www.callforentry.org/uploading-images-audio-and-video-files/. Assistance in using the CaFÉ™ system is available here: https://www.callforentry.org/artist-help-cafe/.
Statement of Interest—Please submit a statement outlining your interest in the Central Avenue Bridge Public Art project and why it is of special interest to you. Please include information about your work with diverse communities and stakeholders (2,000 character maximum) via CaFÉ™.
Résumé—Submit a one to two-page current résumé via CaFÉ™ that highlights your professional accomplishments as an artist. Please name your résumé file accordingly: Last name.First initial (i.e. Smith.J.pdf). Résumés that are more than two pages will not be downloaded. If applying as a team, please submit one résumé with one to two pages per team member.
Please direct all questions about the project to public art program staff at publicart@bouldercolorado.gov.
Rendering of the future Central Avenue Bridge and its designated site for mosaic work (in red):
