ABOUT US

Art on the Streets (AOTS) celebrates the power of art in public places, turning the streets of Downtown Colorado Springs into a yearlong outdoor gallery of sculptures, murals, and installations. More than 300 works have been exhibited Downtown since AOTS began in 1998 and the creative district is home to more than 50 permanent works, over 40 of which have been purchased through AOTS.

AOTS is managed as a program of Downtown Ventures, a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization. The program is funded entirely by corporate and individual donors—no public funds are used. Annual exhibitions are heavily promoted through regional and national press outreach, a GPS-based smartphone tour of the exhibition, and a full-color exhibition brochure distributed throughout Downtown. Learn more about the program at downtowncs.com/aots.

EXHIBITION DATES

• February 22, 2023: Submission deadline
• March 18, 2023: Selection notification to artists
• May 15-26, 2023: Artwork installation
• June 1, 2023: Exhibition Opening Reception and presentation of Juror Awards
• May 2024: Exhibition ends; work reclaimed by artists

COMPENSATION

Honorarium: $2,000 per artist

In Kind: Complimentary lodging during installation of work (up to seven nights for muralists) and on evening of exhibition opening reception

Prizes: All selected artists are eligible for the following awards.

• $10,000 Juror Award
• $2,500 Juror Award: Second Place
• $1,000 Juror Award: Third Place
• $500 Jurors’ Honorable Mention
• $1,000 People’s Choice Award

Opportunity Grants: Additional funds are available for opportunity grants for artists who belong to demographics underrepresented in the public art realm including, but not exclusive to, women, nonbinary individuals, artists who are Black, Indigenous and/or people of color; and artists with disabilities.

A total amount of $2,000 is available; funds will be allocated to artists based on selection committee recommendation. Funds are intended to defray fabrication and transportation costs.

SITE CONSIDERATIONS

Art on the Streets is exhibited outdoors throughout the 40-square-block urban environment of Downtown Colorado Springs. Works should be suitable for placement in a setting that is accessible to the public 24/7 and subject to extreme sun, strong winds, freezing/moisture, and rapid fluctuations between hot and cold.

Special Sculpture Sites/Potential Mural Sites

A few special sculpture sites offer the opportunity to display artworks that fit a more specific set of criteria. View site information and potential mural sites on the Downtown Colorado Springs website: https://downtowncs.com/arts-and-culture/aots/art-on-the-streets-exhibition-sites/

Application Requirements

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

• 1-3 Images
• $25 Entry Fee
  Discount code available for multiple applications.
• Artist’s Statement
  If you are requesting opportunity grant funds, use this space to comment on your eligibility and how funds will be used.
• Narrative Description of Proposed Work
  Include title, physical description, medium, dimensions (H x W x D in inches), weight (in pounds), and price for permanent acquisition (in USD).
  • For interactive, temporary or multimedia work, address how the piece will remain accessible for the duration of the exhibit.
  • If work is being proposed for a specific site (see https://downtowncs.com/arts-and-culture/aots/art-on-the-streets-exhibition-sites/), please mention it here.
• Installation Plan.
  Include engineering specifications, all required equipment and supplies, unique considerations for medium of the work, and other significant factors affecting exhibition for an extended period of time. 
  IMPORTANT: Since installation logistics form part of the selection criteria (see ‘Selection Process’ under ‘Eligibility’), failure to provide adequate detail in this section may count against eligibility.
• Resume/CV

Eligibility Criteria

ELIGIBILITY

Art on the Streets is open to artists worldwide. While sculpture tends to dominate the entry pool, other types of art suitable for outdoor display are encouraged, including murals as well as interactive and multimedia works. Art on the Streets also has the ability to work with artists on larger and/or site-specific installations.

SELECTION PROCESS

For the 25th annual exhibit, 12 artists will be selected by a three-member jury panel. The primary criterion for selection is artistic merit. Secondary criteria include installation logistics; maintenance and safety concerns including structural integrity, damageability, and theft; and inclusion of a diverse range of media and perspectives. All works will be evaluated for stability by a structural engineer contracted by Downtown Ventures.