COAHEC and Mesa County Clifton Library

Colorado Area Health Education Centers (COAHEC) and Mesa County Libraries – Clifton Branch are partnering to seek qualified public artists who wish to be considered to create an outdoor wall mural at the Mesa County Libraries – Clifton Branch, located at 3270 D ½ Road, Clifton, Colorado, 81520.

Background & Project Mission

The Area Health Education Center (AHEC) program was developed by Congress in 1971 to recruit, train, and retain a health professions workforce committed to rural and underserved populations in the US. The Colorado AHEC (COAHEC) system was established in 1977 by Dean Dr. Richard Krugman. All AHECs are funded by HRSA AHEC Model grants which are renewed in 5-year grant cycles to support the overall mission of AHECs in the United States.

COAHEC envisions every person in Colorado having the opportunity to attain their full health potential. In a program called COAHEC Medicina y Urban/Rural Art Lessons en Salud (MURALS) COAHEC funds a series of health themed MURALS murals created by local artists. MURALS art works communicate health messages in culturally resonant ways to Colorado communities. By commissioning local artists to create informative and beautiful large-scale artworks, and by incorporating communities in informing the art or even participating in the art, COAHEC believes that we enhance community health efforts through authentic engagement and collaboration. Arts and Medicine have always been partners.

The Clifton Library champions the health of patrons by inviting connections between librarians, friends, families, and community members through access to stories, art, programs, activities, information, and entertainment to improve the lives of all Clifton residents. The library’s location is in close proximity to outdoor life where residents spend time enjoying the Grand Mesa, Mt. Garfield, and the Colorado River for their wellbeing. Artist applicants are encouraged to visit the Clifton Library to better understand the site and environment.

In 2022, the library conducted stakeholder research to prepare its strategic roadmap and focus areas. It was clear through these discussions that the Clifton peoples value safe space, connections to themselves and their neighbors, and how the natural environment and outdoor beauty contribute to recreation and the overall impact on their health and wellbeing.

COAHEC and the Clifton Library welcome and respect artist's ideas and concepts to creatively address these community values in health.

Sub-themes for artistic consideration may include: 
Aspirations for stronger connections to the community; 
Appreciation for the natural environment, its beauty, open spaces, and endless opportunities for outdoor recreation; and
How connection to the natural environment impact overall health and wellbeing.

Description of Walls 
Artists considering this project are encouraged to visit the Clifton Library to assess the flow of the 3 stucco walls which lead into the main entrance on the north side of the building. There is sometimes confusion by visitors in identifying which doors around the building are the main entrance due to a variety of factors. The artist is encouraged to create a directional flow towards the main entrance as part of their design concept. In addition, there are windows, fixtures, and benches which will remain in place and are not movable. This creates another challenge in designing around or incorporating these elements into the artistic vision. This mural will be either directly painted on the wall by the artist, or this could be a mural installation using panels painted off-site. Community involvement is also highly encouraged and we understand that could be accomplished in a variety of ways. A protective anti-graffiti and UVLS coating are required and the artwork must be beautifully maintained for a period of at least 5 years.
The mural will include the COAHEC logo creatively placed in the artwork.
Selected artist will maintain copyright for the artwork and COAHEC and Mesa County Libraries will have unrestricted usage.

Budget & Scope of Work
The budget for the mural is not to exceed $25,000 which includes, but is not limited to design, materials, fabrication, installation, travel, documentation, insurance, etc.
The selected artist will paint a mural on 3 exterior stucco walls leading to the main entrance of the library measuring:  9’H x 12’ W, 9’H x 43’W, and 9’H x 15’W. 
COAHEC will produce, with the artist’s input, a web page dedicated to the mural with information about the artist, a curatorial statement, and the opportunity to provide viewer feedback about the mural and its impact(s).  A QR code to the webpage and title panel will be installed adjacent to the mural.

Selection Process
A Mural Review Panel (MRP), consisting of the COAHEC Director and MURALS Program Manager, employees of Mesa County Libraries, and Clifton community partners as well as individual community members, will review artist submissions and may select up to three semifinalists. The MRP will consider the semifinalist’s design and previous body of work in selecting the final artist, using the Café system. The semifinalists will be interviewed by the MRP (in a virtual format) before the finalist is selected. If needed, semi-finalists may be asked to provide a more detailed concept sketch for review, and COAHEC will pay a fee of $500 to the artist should the MRP request a more detailed concept rendering.
The finalist will participate in either an in-person or Zoom or hybrid meeting with the MRP to discuss vision and clarify expectations and inform the mural content. COAHEC will conduct more ad hoc meetings with the artist throughout the creation process. If the selected artist works through a company with an EIN, COAHEC procurement services will review, revise, and sign a contract. If the selected artist works as an independent contractor using their SSN, the selected artist will create a vendor profile per COAHEC guidelines and follow a Scope of Work document. Upon completion and approval of appropriate COAHEC procurement forms, the selected artist may submit for 30% compensation for creation and design in process, another payment for 30% after half the mural is completed, and a final invoice for 40% will be accepted once the mural has been successfully installed.

Tentative Schedule

Call for Proposals release      July 01  2024            
Call for Proposals deadline    July 22  2024             

Applicant Review                        July  2024

Up to 3 Finalist Chosen              July 2024          
Artist(s) Presentations                Aug  2024    
Artist Selected                            Aug  2024                    
Installation                           Aug-Oct  2024

Contact Information

Please direct all proposal and project related questions to:
Frank Garza
Project Manager, Colorado Area Health Education Center
770-218-9567
DenverArtist@Gmail.com

Josina Romero O’Connell, 

MD
Director, Colorado Area Health Education center


O: 303-724-0540
E: 

josina.oconnell@cuanschutz.edu

Application Requirements

Submission Requirements

Artists are to submit an application online via Café. Submissions must include:
Artist CV/Resume, 
Letter of Intent that includes vision, conveying design ideas, and is not to exceed 300 words,
3 – 6 images of prior work, and
3 professional references, including contact name, title, organization, address, telephone and email for each reference.

Eligibility Criteria

All applicants must live in Colorado and reside in the Western Slope. Any applications submitted with addresses outside of this region of Colorado will be disqualified and not reviewed. This call is open to all artists above age 18 regardless of race, color, creed, gender, gender variance, national origin, or religion.