Artwork will be located at a bridge being constructed along Central Avenue near 57th Street.
The City of Boulder’s Community Vitality Department has opened a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a new public art opportunity. The city is seeking qualified artists or artist teams to design and install original mosaic artworks for the soon-to-be-reconstructed Central Avenue Bridge, located near 57th Street adjacent to the Flatiron Industrial Park. The selected artist(s) will create two mosaic installations on the bridge’s new concrete walls, facing both the sidewalk and street. The project budget is approximately $40,000.
The selection panel seeks proposals that reflect the technological innovation and entrepreneurial spirit of the surrounding business community while also embracing Boulder’s natural beauty and unique identity. To be eligible for consideration by the selection panel, artists must submit applications by Monday, June 2, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Interested artists should apply through the call posted to CaFÉ.
“We’re excited to bring new mosaic artwork to Central Avenue to celebrate the vibrancy of this area,” said Brendan Picker-Mahoney, Public Art Program Manager. “Thanks to the city’s 1% for Art Policy, which dedicates a portion of capital project funding to public art, we’re able to integrate artistry into this essential infrastructure upgrade.”
In addition to artist submissions, the city invites community members to contribute to the creative process. Community members are encouraged to share themes, memories, values, and key words that the selected shortlisted artists should consider when crafting their proposals. Input can be submitted through the Boulder Public Art Program webpage.
The Central Avenue Bridge Replacement is an infrastructure improvement project set to begin in September. Originally built in the early 1970s by private developers, the existing pedestrian and vehicular bridges have reached the end of their service life and no longer meet current standards. The replacement will improve water flow and consolidate these structures into one vehicular bridge with a dedicated pedestrian sidewalk. A replacement of the existing waterline from 55th to 57th streets is also included in the project and will begin this summer.
Learn more about the Central Avenue Bridge Mosaic Project by visiting the project webpage.