Budget: Approximately $100,000 USD
Eligibility: Artists living in the state of Colorado
Deadline: Friday, June 28, 2024; 11:59 p.m. MST
The Boulder Public Art Program seeks to commission an artist or team of artists to create an original work of two-dimensional art for the Western City Campus Parking Garage Stairwell in Boulder, Colorado. The Western City Campus parking garage is located on the SW corner of Broadway and Alpine, and the stairwell and elevator bay are located on the western side of the garage. The work will be visible to users of the stairwell and elevators and visible from the street. The commission amount is approximately $100,000 USD.
Alpine-Balsam Western City Campus
The Alpine-Balsam property, formerly the Boulder Community Health (BCH) hospital, was purchased by the City of Boulder in 2015. Plans for redevelopment have taken shape over the past several years. The reimagined site will provide new affordable and market-rate homes in a range of housing types and will be the future location of the Western City Campus to house municipal functions and serve community members. It will include new indoor and outdoor public spaces, new streets and paths, sustainable solutions for infrastructure and buildings, increased tree canopy, a greenway for flood conveyance, easy-to-use travel options, and managed parking. More information can be found on the project webpage.
Materials & Media
The selection panel members have created specific goals and parameters for this public art project with the hope of creating a unique and inspiring work of art for the diverse communities that will soon work and visit the Western City Campus. The panel is looking for a two-dimensional indoor artwork that serves as an inclusive gateway to the campus via the parking garage. Works that offer a cultural connection, are welcoming, and create a sense of belonging while telling the story of the place are encouraged. The artwork could also include a community engagement component. Artworks will be visible from the street and should also enhance the experience for those who will work or live at the campus. The selection panel is open to artwork made from materials that are easy to clean and maintain, and suitable for indoor 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. Emerging artists and mural 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. Artists will be paid an honorarium of $1,500 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 team when finalizing their designs for installation.
Please direct all questions about the project to public art program staff at publicart@bouldercolorado.gov.