Background

This project represents a powerful partnership between Aurora Water (https://www.auroragov.org/residents/water) and Aurora’s Art in Public Places Program (https://www.auroragov.org/publicart) to raise public awareness about contemporary water issues and solutions. Working with Aurora Water and their extensive education programs, the intent is to impact public perceptions about water and willingness to consider how we use water today and the in the future. We are seeking a dynamic public art experience that will inspire thought, provoke discussion, and elicit a call for action.

Aurora Water’s Education team reaches thousands of students each year through in-classroom presentations, field trips, teacher workshops, and our youth water festival. The hope for this art installation is to serve as a point of reference that we can incorporate into our educational programs regarding local water issues while also serving as an accessible and informative piece with One Water messaging for the public. One Water is the concept that combines different aspects of water such as raw surface and groundwater, drinking water, wastewater, stormwater and reuse water into a single framework for a more holistic viewpoint. As a leader in innovation in the water industry, Aurora Water hopes to create a more sustainable future for our community. To accomplish this, Aurora Water’s areas of focus include:

• Water reuse (e.g. Sand Creek Reclaimed System, Prairie Waters System, Future DPR)
• Enhanced water conservation (e.g. non-active turf ordinance, large water user guide, rebate programs)
• Nationally recognized water purification facilities
• Source water quality through best management practices (i.e. mountain watershed management to local stormwater sites)
• Local, regional and national partnerships

Location: Sand Creek Park, Aurora, CO

“Sand Creek park is a place where man and nature come together to preserve the creek as an oasis on the plains. The park will be a comfortable, family-oriented place that celebrates water, and that will make it a landmark in the community because of the unique experience it provides.  The park will serve adjacent neighborhoods as well as becoming a part of a regional trail and open space system.”  Sand Creek Park Master Plan, March 5, 1996

Worth noting:

• Over 100 acres in size
• At the confluence of the Sand and Toll Gate Creeks
• Just north of the Fitzsimons Light Rail Station and the Fitzsimons Redevelopment including the Anschutz Medical Campus
• Water oriented park experience
• Extensive riparian areas along Sand Creek. Plan includes preservation of mature cottonwood trees, preservation and expansion of wetland and riparian areas, restoration of the original stream meander.
• Creates bridges to local neighborhoods
• Large picnic shelter

The sculpture site is located near the large picnic shelter which can serve as excellent site for education programs for school groups and the public.  The site is part of an extensive and well used trail system.  It is accessible by foot, bicycle, bus, light rail, and car (see images at end of narrative).

About Aurora, CO

Aurora is the third largest city in Colorado, spanning three counties in the eastern Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Area. Aurora embraces a highly diverse population of approximately 400,000 residents who enjoy access to quality education, Colorado's natural beauty and active lifestyle, and an array of cultural amenities within the context of a vibrant and growing community. Aurora is home to top national employers in aerospace and defense, bioscience, healthcare, and alternative energy.

Situated on prairie grasslands, rolling hills and the northern tip of the Black Forest, Aurora offers a unique quality of life that blends a traditional sense of community with a range of outdoor and leisure activities. Residents enjoy a wealth of opportunities and are proud to call Aurora home.

Application Requirements

Application Materials

• 10 images/videos of relevant work. Do not submit conceptual proposals.  They will not be reviewed.
• Professional Resume not to exceed two pages
• Statement of Interest (Why this project is of interest to you)
• Brief Bio
• Open ONLY to Artists who reside in the USA.

Questions

Questions should be directed to publicart@auroragov.org.

Eligibility Criteria

Materials

Materials must be durable and appropriate for exterior applications within the Front Range climate of Colorado. Annually, temperatures range from sub-zero to over 100 degrees, and temperatures can span more than 40 degrees within a day, or even a few hours. Snow, hail, wind, and extreme sun are all environmental issues to contend with when proposing exterior art projects at this elevation and climate.

Selection Criteria

The ideal artist is:

• comfortable working in the public sphere.
• enjoys working with people.
• has demonstrated experience creating exterior three-dimensional permanent works of art.
• has demonstrated experience working on projects with budgets of $100,000 or greater.
• has an expressed affinity for and understanding of the complex issues related to contemporary water usage.
• enthusiastic about working with Aurora’s Water educators to explore challenges, content and perspective.
• living and working in the United States.

Tentative Timeline

• Deadline for completed applications to be received: September 15 11:59 pm Mountain Time.
• Finalists notified: October 1, 2024
• Finalists Virtual Presentations: November 13, 2024
• Multi-level approval process completed: Early February 2025
• It is desirable that the artwork be completed and installed by Spring, 2026.