Art Encounters is a year-long outdoor sculpture exhibit that showcases a number of sculptures, in various media and styles, displayed in highly visible areas in Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, the Lone Tree Library, Parker and Roxborough. The program is designed to promote public interest in art, develop community pride and draw visitors to the retail or civic areas where they are displayed.

• Artists have the opportunity to spread their name and work throughout Douglas County and beyond.
• Artists who submit more than one application have the opportunity for more than one piece to be selected. This could result in one piece in one jurisdiction and one piece in another for greater publicity.
• Selected artists receive a $1,000 stipend, payable after completion of the installation process.
• Artists have the opportunity to win two $1,000 awards.  One for the People’s Choice Award and another for the Kid’s Choice Award.
• Artists have the chance for their artwork to be purchased.
• Twenty-two sculptures have been purchased since the program was initiated in 2007.

Application Requirements

Please familiarize yourself with the Art Encounters program by visiting https://artencounters.douglas.co.us/. 

Please submit 1-5 outdoor sculptural works that are currently available for display (up to 3 unique views of each work) for this year-long exhibition. 

Artists may submit up to 5 existing, fully completed works. Regardless of the number of works submitted, only one application is needed.

All work must be for sale.

Eligibility Criteria

• Art Encounters is open to artists and/or artist teams over 18 years of age.
• All work submitted must be complete, already in existence, and available, if selected.
• Work must be available for the program year with a date selected by the Jurisdiction for both install and uninstallation, but the expected timeframe of installation is no later than May 24, 2024, and uninstall no later than May 31, 2025.
• All work must be the result of an independent and/or team effort that is original in concept and not the product of instructional guidance.
• Any work that is a replica must include the edition and/or conventional description, as well as the serial number for that entry.
• Any work submitted that is a replica or duplicate must include the other locations where this piece is available. Duplicate works within a 60-mile radius of Douglas County will not be accepted.
• Work that is accepted into the Art Encounters program that has a duplicate piece may not be submitted to another program within a 60-mile radius of Douglas County within the same program year.
• Any variety of materials may be incorporated, but the work in its entirety must require minimal to no maintenance.
• Work submitted must be able to withstand the intense sun, snow, wind, temperature extremes and weather fluctuations common in Colorado.
• All works must be safe for public interaction of all ages as this is an outdoor public art program.
• Submitted work may be selected for exhibition in any of the participating jurisdictions: Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Parker, and Roxborough.