The 2025 Art on Loan Program administered by the South Suburban Public Art Committee (SSPAC), a committee appointed by the South Suburban Park and Recreation District (SSPRD) Board of Directors, is accepting proposals to exhibit the sculptural artwork of artists that have at any time resided in the State of Colorado for a 2-year period. The program is a year-long outdoor exhibit designed to promote public interest in art, develop community pride, and enhance the visitor experience around at the Goodson Recreation Center (Centennial) and The Hudson Gardens & Events Center (Littleton). Additional information about SSPRD and SSPAC can be accessed at ssprd.org and about The Hudson Gardens at hudsongardens.org. 

SUBMITTAL DEADLINE:    Monday, March 17, 2025, at 11:59 pm Mountain Time

Selected art will be awarded $1,000 Exhibitor’s Honorarium to each artist after the artwork is installed in June 2025.  To receive the honorarium, the artists must provide SSPAC with the signed Art on Loan Agreement and their current W9.

2 EXHIBITION AREAS: Goodson Recreation Center:  6315 South University Blvd., Centennial, CO 80121 OR The Hudson Gardens and Event Center: 6115 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, CO 80120

APPLICATIONS:  Each artist’s application represents ONE artwork and should include three different images of the same work (but may include up to 5). Artists can submit up to 5 different pieces of art for consideration, one per application. To present different works of art to the committee, please re-submit the first application, then return to "Apply to Calls" and choose APPLY AGAIN to this call – up to five times.

To avoid having to enter application questions five separate times (if submitting different works of art), we suggest copying the application form into a Word Document and saving your answers. You can copy and paste your answers for each new application without losing information.

ELIGIBILITY

The call is open to all artists that have at any time resided in the state of Colorado for a two-year period and have the background, experience, and skill to complete a quality piece of sculpture appropriate to withstand a yearlong outdoor exhibition. Only sculptural works will be considered.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
SSPAC seeks applications for up to three (3) sculptures to be placed outdoors at Goodson Recreation Center and up to two (2) at The Hudson Gardens & Event Center.

Goodson is visited annually by over 400,000 people of all ages. It offers fitness facilities, a swimming pool, dance classes, a licensed preschool, gymnasium, gymnastics arena, racquetball courts, cultural arts classrooms, and meeting rooms. The site is located adjacent to the High Line Canal Trail, a popular regional trail, and deKoevend Park. Many trail users utilize Goodson Recreation Center as a trailhead or rest stop.

At Goodson, the sculptures will be displayed on the three existing concrete pads available (36” in diameter and approximately 18” in height), which are located near the main entrance to the center. Each pad has an embedded steel plate (24” x 24” x 1/2”) for the artwork to be welded in place. Sculptures must be of a size to fit on the concrete pads provided and cannot exceed 4,000 pounds in overall weight.

Hudson Gardens is a year-round destination that attracts around 130,000 visitors annually. It offers a variety of activities and events, including popular outdoor concerts, scenic walking areas, garden tours, weddings, a holiday light show, and more. The site is located adjacent to the Mary Carter Greenway Trail and South Platte River. At Hudson Gardens, two outdoor display pedestals will be constructed before the exhibit period. There is no size restriction for sculptures at Hudson Gardens, but the overall weight cannot exceed 4,000 pounds. 

Proposed sculptures must be appropriate for outdoor public display at a public facility and of high artistic quality. Sculptures must be an original work of the selected artist, durable, safe for public interaction and relatively maintenance-free.  Proposed works must meet or exceed standards for public safety and structural integrity and composed of parts not easily damaged by weather or vandalism.

Sculptures will be loaned to SSPRD for a one-year exhibition period. The piece of artwork may be available for sale, but if sold, it must remain on display for the duration of the exhibition period.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ARTIST
The artist will transport the artwork to and from Goodson or Hudson Gardens on a date and time designated for installation.  If required for proper display, the artist will supply an appropriate pedestal for the artwork.  If necessary, the artist will make modifications to the artwork and pedestal so that it can be mounted by welding to a steel plate embedded in a concrete pad or other stable foundation. The artist will be responsible for all sales transactions, payment of applicable taxes, and payment of a 20% commission to SSPRD should the artwork be sold. Artists are responsible for ensuring their own work.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF SSPRD
SSPRD will assist the artist in offloading of the artwork at Goodson or Hudson Gardens on a date and time agreed upon by the artist. SSPRD may provide and operate a piece of equipment to lift and move the artwork from the artist’s vehicle or trailer to the SSPRD provided pad. Under the artist’s direction, SSPRD will provide equipment and an operator to weld the artwork to the SSPRD provided pad. SSPRD will similarly assist the artist at the time of de-installation. SSPRD will supply a durable plaque adhered to the concrete pad identifying the title, artist, date of creation and contact information for purchase inquiry.

SELECTION PROCESS
The SSPAC, with the support of SSPRD staff, will select the artwork to recommend to the South Suburban Park and Recreation District Board of Directors for final approval.

SCHEDULE
Deadline for submittal: Monday, March 17, 2025 at 11:59 pm Mountain Time
Artwork juried: Tuesday, March 25, 2025 through March 28, 2025
Recommendations for approval to
SSPR Board of Directors: April 9, 2025
Finalists notified: April 11, 2025
Art installation: Tentatively set for the second week of June 2025.
Art dedication: August 2025
Art de-installation: Tentatively set for the second week of June 2026.

Application Requirements

At Goodson, the sculptures will be displayed on the three existing concrete pads available (36” in diameter and approximately 18” in height), which are located near the main entrance to the center. Each pad has an embedded steel plate (24” x 24” x 1/2”) for the artwork to be welded in place. Sculptures must be of a size to fit on the provided concrete pads, and cannot exceed 4,000 pounds in overall weight.

At Hudson Gardens, outdoor display pedestals will be constructed before the install date. There is no size restriction for sculptures at Hudson Gardens, but the overall weight cannot exceed 4,000 pounds.

Eligibility Criteria

The call is open to all artists that have at any time resided in the State of Colorado for a two-year period and have the background, experience, and skill to complete a quality piece of sculpture appropriate to withstand a year-long outdoor exhibition. Only sculptural works will be considered.