REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (en español)

Public Art Project

Rocky Mountain Lake Park

Budget: Approximately $18,000.00 USD

Eligibility: Open to artists or artist teams residing in the state of Colorado

DEADLINE: Monday, August 14, 2023, 11:59 pm MST

Introduction

The City of Denver’s Public Art Program seeks to commission an artist or artist team to create original public artwork(s) for Rocky Mountain Lake Park in Denver, CO. An 11-member selection panel of community representatives, arts and design professionals, and civic leaders has been assembled to identify art opportunities, and to select and recommend an artist or artist team for this project. The selection panel has identified a site in Rocky Mountain Lake Park for a potential artwork for the allocated total budget of approximately $18,000.00 USD.

Land Acknowledgment

We acknowledge that the land Denver’s Public Art Collection occupies - - land where we stand, live, work and learn - - is the traditional territory of the Ute, Cheyenne, and Arapaho Peoples. We also recognize the 48 contemporary tribal nations that are historically tied to the lands that make up the state of Colorado. Our nation was founded upon and continues to enact exclusions and erasures of Indigenous Peoples. May this acknowledgement demonstrate a commitment to dismantling ongoing legacies of oppression and inequities, as we intentionally honor and celebrate the Indigenous communities in our city and express our gratitude for their ongoing and significant contributions. Let’s not forget that this land was theirs long before we made it ours.

Berkeley Neighborhood

The Berkeley neighborhood is located northwest of downtown Denver. Today's well-established neighborhood features residential and commercial areas and is bound by Federal Boulevard to the east, West 38th Avenue to the south, Sheridan Boulevard to the west, and Interstate 70 to the north. The population as of 2017 was estimated at 9,198.

Rocky Mountain Lake Park

The park's namesake is due to its central feature, Rocky Mountain Lake. The lake is partially artificial due to the Rocky Mountain Ditch or canal created by Hiram Wolff in 1862. A local engineering feat, the canal redirected water from Clear Creek in Golden Colorado to feed the multiple bodies of water in Denver. This effort supported decades of enterprise and leisure opportunities in the Berkeley neighborhood. The first was the Union Ice Company which harvested and stored natural ice from the lake for nearby gold rush activities. In the 1890s, a private resort opened to offer small steamboat rides, balloon ascensions, and a stage for vaudeville acts. The lake was also used for ice skating and car camping 

From the 1970s onward, fishing became a core activity for park visitors including newly arrived Vietnamese and Cambodian refugees. These family-friendly activities continue today, with the Colorado Division of Wildlife restocking the lake with fish each fall. The most common fish caught are largemouth bass, rainbow trout, and bluegill. The park is also home to other wildlife species, including water lilies, cattails, red-winged blackbirds, waterfowl like coots, pie-billed grebes, and Canadian geese. The park continues to be a hub of community activity while providing a space for respite and calm. 

In 2017, improvements to the park began as part of a bond-funded effort approved by Denver voters. These improvements are expected to be complete in 2023 and include enhanced picnic sites, replacement of existing walkways, and native plant restoration around the lake's edge.

Goals, Site, Media & Materials

The selection panel members have set forth specific goals and parameters for this public art project with the hope of creating unique and inspiring works of art for users of the park.

Goals:

The panel is invested in cultural diversity and local history and aspires to create a gathering space that is inclusive, accessible and welcoming. The artwork should enhance the natural beauty of the park and convey nature themes and whimsical motifs. Works that are engaging and help to tell the stories of the area are encouraged. The panel is interested in inviting artists to apply who are new to public artwork and the public art process, particularly those who hope to shift toward sculptural work.

Site:

The panel has identified a potential site for public art, near the recently improved picnic area that overlooks the lake and Front Range to the west. Selected finalists will have the opportunity to visit the site and the chance to meet with the art selection panel as well as Denver Public Art program staff to ask specific questions about the potential location.

Media & Materials:

Artworks could be created using diverse media including, but not limited to, sculpture, paint and mosaic applications. Any lighting or other electrical needs should be solar- or wind-generated. Durability and ease of maintenance are important at these locations. It is critical that the artwork is tactile in nature, so that the work’s message is received by those with various abilities. The selection panel is open to artwork in all media and materials that are suitable for outdoor display.

Maintenance & Durability

This artwork will become a permanent addition to the Denver Public Art collection. All applicants must consider the issues of long-term conservation and maintenance of public art, along with time and budget. These projects are in the public realm and will be exposed to physical stresses, as well as being subject to potential 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. Artist proposals awarded contracts will be reviewed by the City and County of Denver’s Public Art Committee to ensure conformity with city standards of maintenance and durability, as well as American Disability Act (ADA) standards. All finalists are expected to stay on budget and to complete work in an approved time frame.

Applying for these opportunities

In response to this RFQ, applicants will be asked to submit the following items via www.callforentry.org (CaFÉ™).

1. Six digital images of past work
2. Résumé
3. Statement of interest no longer than 2,000 characters

From these applications, the selection panel will choose three to five finalists who will create site-specific proposals and be interviewed in person or virtually. Artists will be paid an honorarium for this work. Artists/teams selected as finalists will be required to submit a Diversity & Inclusiveness Form for their proposals to be considered, which will be provided upon notification. As directed by Executive Order 101, this form must be submitted for all city solicitations of proposals. Denver Arts & Venues Public Art program staff can provide guidance on filling out this form.

Based on the interview and proposal, an artist or artist team will be selected for this commission. The selected artist or artist team will work with Denver Public Art program staff, Denver Parks and Recreation (DPR), and the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) when finalizing their designs for installation.

Budget

The budget for this commission is approximately $18,000.00 USD which will be allocated to the artist/team selected. These funds come from the City of Denver’s 1% Percent for Public Art Ordinance resulting from improvements made to the Rocky Mountain Lake Park project. 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. For all work done on city property, prevailing wage requirements will be applied.

Timeline

(Except for online application deadline, timeline is subject to adjustments)

Monday, August 14, 11:59 p.m. MST                                              Deadline for entry (via CaFÉ™ system)

August 2023                                                                                    Finalist Selection

September                                                                                      Selected Artist or Artist Team Notification

Project Selection Panel

According to Denver’s Public Art policy, the project selection panel plays an active role in the commission and acquisition of public art for Denver. The Rocky Mountain Lake Park selection panel is comprised of 11 voting members and additional non-voting advisors. The selection panel is responsible for reviewing the site, establishing criteria for a request for qualifications, reviewing applications, selecting and interviewing finalists, and finally for selecting an artist or artist team for the commission. 

Selection Process

1. Three to five artists/artist teams will be selected as finalists. Those selected will receive more specific information regarding the sites and have the opportunity to meet with community members from the art selection panel, Denver Public Art Program staff, and Denver Parks & Recreation (DPR). The finalists will receive an honorarium to prepare a proposal and present it in person or virtually.
2. The selection panel will review the proposals, interview the finalists and recommend an artist/artist team for the commission.
3. The final recommendation of the selection panel will be presented to the Public Art Committee, the Denver Commission on Cultural Affairs, and the mayor of Denver for final approval.

*All decisions of the City and County of Denver are final.

Meeting Format

All meetings are held virtually via the Microsoft Teams platform. Selected artists and artist teams will be expected to download the free Microsoft Teams app and schedule platform testing prior to any presentations and interviews.  

Language Preference

Denver Arts & Venues complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, gender or language. It is your right to request oral or written language assistance services in your primary language, if needed. Please contact Denver Arts & Venues at DAVLanguageAccess@denvergov.org and these services will be provided to you free of charge.

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Application Requirements

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 six digital images of previously completed artworks through the online CaFÉ™ system. Artists who wish to submit kinetic, sound or media works must submit a complete CaFÉ™ application and will have the opportunity to upload one video file.

IMPORTANT: if submitting audio or video files, do not use them as your very first image. They must be submitted last in your image sequence.

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/.

If an artist does not have access to a computer, s/he/they may call 720-865-5576 to make arrangements to use a computer at Denver Arts & Venues. 

To request this RFQ in an alternate format (such as Braille, large print, or accessible electronic format) please contact DisabilityAccess@denvergov.org. 

Statement of Interest

Please submit a brief statement (2,000-character maximum) outlining the following:

• Your interest in the Rocky Mountain Lake Park project
• Your design approach and experience working on public art projects
• Please also include information on your experience working with diverse communities and stakeholders

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 no more than one page per team member.

Survey 

Applicants will also be required to fill out a short demographic survey located within this CaFÉ™ application.

References 

Applicants who are selected to be finalists will be required to provide three professional references.

Meg Pursell, Public Art Program Administrator, meg.pursell@denvergov.org, 720-865-5576

Denver Public Art is also hosting a virtual pre-application meeting on Wednesday, July 17th, 5:30-6:30 p.m. for interested applicants. The meeting will cover project backgrounds and goals, and the application process for this Requests for Qualification. Attendees will also get information on CallForEntry.org through which artists may apply. This event will be hosted on Zoom. Interested applicants are asked to register to get information on how to join prior to the event. If you cannot attend, a recording will be available on the Denver Arts & Venues Vimeo channel.

Eligibility Criteria

Who May Apply

This project is open to artists that reside in the state of Colorado. Denver Arts & Venues is committed to building a public art collection that represents a broad diversity of artists and encourages applicants from historically marginalized and underrepresented communities including artists who identify as Black, Indigenous, Latino/x, People of Color (BILPOC), people with disabilities, and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersexual, asexual, Two-Spirit+ (LGBTQIA2S+) communities. Denver Arts & Venues also encourages applicants at various stages in their career and applicants practicing a variety of artistic disciplines.