Western City Campus Plaza Public Art Project

Budget: Approximately $300,000 USD

Eligibility: International Call

DEADLINE: Friday, June 28, 2024; 11:59 p.m. MST

Introduction
The Boulder Public Art Program seeks to commission an artist or team of artists to create an original work of art for the Western City Campus Plaza. The future plaza will be located behind the pavilion building on Broadway and Alpine, in Boulder, Colorado. The selection panel has recommended either one site-specific artwork, or several site-specific artworks to be integrated into the plaza. The commission amount is approximately $300,000 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: https://bouldercolorado.gov/projects/alpine-balsam-implementation

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 live, work and visit the Western City Campus. The panel is looking for artwork(s) that are playful, welcoming, kid-friendly, and provide a cultural connection to the campus. The work could also be interactive and have a community engagement component. Works should be bright, colorful and imaginative and create a sense of belonging. The panel is open to commissioning one site-specific artwork or several site-specific artworks to be integrated into the plaza. Works that demonstrate the connection between human activity and the natural environment, and tell the story of the place - geologically, socially and ecologically, are encouraged. Artworks should be pedestrian-scaled and enhance the experience of those who will use and enjoy the plaza. The selection panel is open to artwork in materials that are suitable for outdoor display and is specifically seeking three-dimensional works of art. Artists are asked to be mindful and respectful of the plaza’s functionality, its users, and the neighborhood and surrounding areas.

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 weather and 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.

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 $2,000 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.

Budget
The budget for this commission is approximately $300,000.00 USD which will be allocated to the artist/team selected. These funds come from the City of Boulder’s 1% for Public Art Policy resulting from the construction of the Western City Campus. 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.

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

Friday, June 28, 2024; 11:59 P.M. MST                  Deadline for entry (via CaFÉ™ system)

July 2024                                                                     Finalist Selection

October 2024                                                              Artist Selection and Notification

Project Selection Panel
According to Boulder’s public art policy, the project selection panel plays an active role in the acquisition of public art for Boulder. The Western City Campus selection panel is comprised of five voting members and additional non-voting advisors. The selection panel is responsible for reviewing the site, establishing criteria, writing a request for qualifications, reviewing applications, and selecting and interviewing finalists and identifying an artist for the commission. 

Selection Process
Three artists/artist teams will be selected as finalists. Those selected will receive more specific information regarding the site and have the opportunity to meet with site representatives, the design team, selection panel, and public art program staff.  The finalists will receive an honorarium to prepare and present the proposal virtually. The selection panel will review the proposals, interview the finalists and recommend an artist for the commission. The final recommendation of the selection panel will be presented to the Boulder Arts Commission, and the City Manager for final approval. All decisions of the City of Boulder are final.

Please direct all questions about the project to public art program staff at publicart@bouldercolorado.gov.

For more information about the Western City Campus, please visit: https://bouldercolorado.gov/projects/alpine-balsam-implementation

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 four 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 and will have the opportunity to upload one video file.

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/.

Statement of Interest—Please submit a statement outlining your interest in the Western City Campus Plaza Public Art project and why it is of special interest to you. Please include information about your work with diverse communities and stakeholders (2,000 character maximum) via CaFÉ™. 

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 one to two pages per team member.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility
This project is open internationally to 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. Colorado artists, emerging artists, and artists working in media that is suitable for outdoor display 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.