Call Detail
City of Denver: South Broadway, Arizona Ave to Yale Ave
Entry Deadline: 12/28/12
Application Closed
Work Sample Requirements Images:8

Call Type: Unspecified
Eligibility: Unspecified
State: Unspecified

Introduction:
Arts & Venues Denver is seeking an artist, or artist team, for a site-specific public art commission that compliments the street improvements made along South Broadway between Arizona and Yale Avenues.

The selection panel has identified a variety of possible opportunities, and invites the artist to think creatively in proposing for this opportunity. This commission is open to artists/artist teams working in all media. Estimated budget for artwork is $250,000.
Deadline is Friday, December 28, 5:00 PM MST.

About South Broadway:
Historically, Broadway is a commercial "main street" serving the residents, commuters, and tourists of Denver. In December 1889, the first electrified trolley line was introduced in Denver along South Broadway, and the corridor continued to develop as a hub of commercial activity. Today, the area is recognized as one of the largest growth centers in the city of Denver.

Like many cities, Broadway is the unifier of east and west within Denver city limits. It displays a visual gateway of the City for north-bound traffic and provides an elegant vista of the west at Broadway and Evans. More than a hundred thousand people a week use this corridor for transportation: RTD buses, a Light Rail station just a few blocks west at Evans, automobile and pedestrian traffic, and bicycle riders. Broadway has many distinct districts within its stretch, one of which is Antique Row, running from Mississippi to Colorado. The Arizona to Yale stretch of Broadway features historical Art Deco architecture and is rooted in a musical history.

Because of its continued rejuvenation, South Broadway has been subject to recent infrastructure and streetscape improvements. These improvements include new sidewalks with rows of trees and pedestrian lighting, a widened roadway by five to six feet on each side, enhanced safety and function of intersections, installation of underground utilities, raised planting areas with seat walls, and tree plantings in medians, to name a few. Evidence of private investment such as new storefronts is also apparent along the corridor. These improvements are the first steps in restoring the historical “Main Street” character of the corridor.

Additional information about Broadway’s history and improvements can be found here:
http://www.denvergov.org/broadwaynepa/SouthBroadwayThenandNow/tabid/437511/Default.aspx

Public Art: Parameters & Goals
The Selection Panel members identified specific goals for this public art with the hope of creating a unique work of art to be incorporated into this two mile stretch of the South Broadway corridor:

Location: Due to limited open space along South Broadway, the selection panel has identified a variety of artwork opportunities, but also encourages the artist(s) applying to be creative in their proposals. Artworks of appropriate scale and relevant materials will be considered, including a potential signature/gateway piece, place-making artwork, or interactive components. Please consider that all modes of transportation in this area, including pedestrian, automobiles and mass transit riders will have access to the artwork. Please also consider visiting the site physically or digitally to help visualize the parameters of the location.

Materials & Media: The selection panel is open to artwork in all media and materials, including kinetic or light-based media. However, the panel notes the artwork should weave into the existing fabric of South Broadway.

Appropriate & Unique: The selection panel seeks a unique, one-of-a-kind artwork for this commission that “embraces the funk” of South Broadway –referencing its eclectic makeup and historical diversity.

Durability & Maintenance: All public art projects in Colorado are exposed to weather, physical stresses and subject to vandalism and should be fabricated of highly durable, low-maintenance materials. Semi-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 of Denver’s Public Art Subcommittee and the Department of Construction and Engineering to ensure conformity with City standards of maintenance and durability and ADA standards. All finalists are expected to stay on budget and to complete work in an approved time frame.

By ordinance, one percent of the construction budget for the new construction of the South Broadway: Arizona - Yale improvements are dedicated to public art. For this commission, approximately $250,000 USD is available (this is inclusive of all expenses related to the creation of the artwork, including lighting (if proposed). Artists in all mediums and experience, including emerging artists, are encouraged to apply for this public art opportunity.

Applying for these opportunities:
In response to this RFQ, applicants will be asked to submit eight digital images, a résumé, and a statement of interest of no longer than 2000 characters via www.callforentry.org (CaFÉ™). From these applications, the selection panel will choose three to five semi-finalists who will be brought in for an interview with the panel. If a formal proposal is requested, the artist will be provided a $1000 honorarium to prepare and present the proposal in person. Semi-finalists are strongly encouraged to conduct a site visit, and will be expected to pay for travel expenses from the honorarium. From the interview or proposal, artists will be selected for this commission.

Please visit:
www.artsandvenuesdenver.com/publicart for examples of recent commissions.

Eligibility:
This project is open to artists, regardless of race, color, creed, gender, gender variance, national origin, age, religion, marital status, political opinion or affiliation or mental or physical handicap. Artists working in any media are eligible to apply. Artists are not required to have previous experience in public art, and emerging artists are invited to apply for this commission.

Can a team apply?
Applicant(s) may apply as a single artist or multi-person collaboration. In the case of teams, please submit a single résumé for the whole team (see details below).

Selected artists for the commission will collaborate with the Public Art Program staff and the design team for South Broadway when finalizing their designs for installation.

Budget:
The budget for this commission is approximately $250,000 USD which will be allocated to the artists/team selected by the selection panel. 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, insurance, including Colorado Workers Compensation, small tools, materials, fabrication, transportation and installation, including 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 of any kind. For all work done on City property, prevailing wage requirements will be applied.

Tentative Time Line:
(Except for online application deadline, timeline is subject to adjustments):
Friday, December 28, 5:00 p.m. MDT Deadline for entry (via CaFÉ™ system)
January, 2013 Semi-Finalist Selection
February, 2013 Finalist Selection
March, 2013 Finalist Notification

Project Selection Panel:
According to Denver’s Public Art Policies, the Project Selection Panel plays an active role in the acquisition of public art for Denver. The South Broadway: Arizona - Yale Selection Panel is comprised of eighteen voting members and additional non-voting advisors.

Selection Process:
Between three to five artists/artist teams will be selected as semi-finalists, depending on the number of responses to the RFQ. Those selected will receive more specific information regarding the site and have the opportunity to meet with the design team and public art staff members. The Selection Panel will interview and/or review proposals from the semi-finalists and recommend finalists for the commission. The final recommendation of the Selection Panel will be presented to the Public Art Subcommittee, the Denver Commission on Cultural Affairs and Mayor Michael B. Hancock for final approval. All decisions of the City and County of Denver are final.



Materials to be Submitted:
Please read this section carefully. Incomplete applications will NOT be considered without exception. 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 eight digital images of previously completed artworks through the CaFÉ™ system. Artists who wish to submit kinetic, sound or media works must submit a complete CaFÉ™ application including eight still images and written materials and then send an additional DVD of no more than five minutes to:

Arts and Venues Denver
Public Art Program: S. Broadway: Arizona - Yale
Attn: Michael Chavez
1245 Champa Street
Denver, CO 80204

Instructions on how to format images to CaFÉ™ specifications can be found at http://www.callforentry.org/imaging_tips.phtml. Assistance in using the CaFÉ™ system is available during regular business hours by calling 303-629-1166 or 1-888-562-7232, or e-mail cafe@westaf.org. If an artist does not have access to a computer, s/he may call 720-865-4302 to make arrangements to use a computer at Arts and Venues Denver.

Statement of Interest: Please submit a statement of interest that briefly outlines your interest in the S. Broadway: Arizona - Yale project and experience working on projects of this kind (2000 character maximum) via CaFÉ™.

Résume: 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.doc). Résumés over two pages will not be downloaded. If applying as a team, please submit one résumé with one to two pages per team member.

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria