Call Description

LOVELAND ART IN PUBLIC PLACES, LOVELAND, COLORADO
Heart Improvement Plan (HIP Streets)

Loveland is located in an emerging and dynamic Northern Colorado region. With an estimated 2024 population of 84,521, it has enjoyed steady population growth over many years. It is located 46 miles north of downtown Denver on the I-25 corridor. Nestled in the foothills at the entrance to the Big Thompson Canyon with a short ride to the Rocky Mountain National Park, Loveland is known as the Gateway to the Rockies. Founded in 1877 and named after the president of the Colorado Central Railroad, it initially thrived as an agricultural town, particularly with sugar beets and cherries. The town later diversified its economy with manufacturing and technology industries and is now known for its vibrant arts scene with a public art collection of over 500 pieces.

The City of Loveland Visual Arts Commission seeks Artist(s) or Artist Teams to create public art for its downtown revitalization program. Known as the Heart Improvement Plan, HIP Streets encompasses nineteen blocks of the Downtown core. The city is currently focusing on the first major project, known as 4th Street Revitalization Project, which encompasses five blocks of Loveland’s historic downtown—from Garfield Avenue to Washington Avenue.

Additional project information: https://www.letstalkloveland.org/heart-improvement-plan

SCOPE AND PROJECT DESCRIPTION

A functional, aesthetically pleasing, eclectic Downtown environment that facilitates business vitality, fosters a sense of community, creates opportunities for engagement and accentuates the identity of the Downtown commercial district is desired.

The City of Loveland Water and Power Department is currently working on upgrades to the utility infrastructure beneath the road. The Public Works Department will lead the storm water, roadway, and sidewalk improvements. The project includes the removal of the current roadway and sidewalks, providing an opportunity to redesign downtown. There is strong interest from the community and downtown business owners to see public artwork incorporated throughout the 5 blocks of the project. At a recent downtown meeting, when asked what downtown business owners would like to see, they responded with the following:

• Railroad-themed art
• Large cherry/cherries
• Loveland History
• Lighted art
• Rooftop art
• Poems engraved into rock seating
• Contemporary subjects -- things that are happening now
• Temporary artwork
• Artwork that will attract young people to the town
• Interactive artwork
• Large-scale artwork
• Indigenous and Latinx representation

There is no expectation that all of these ideas will be incorporated, but they are guidelines for consideration. 

From this RFQ, multiple Artists/Artist Teams may be selected to present design concepts for this project. The Visual Arts Commission desires to incorporate art in multiple places---both at street level and aerial work.

1.      The central block between  Lincoln Avenue and Cleveland Avenue will feature a key, central sculptural element that will be available for a lighted artwork. The City’s contracted architectural firm has designed a support structure for this art element, and includes electrical conduit at the site. The artwork’s infrastructure includes an electrical junction box.

While the current design includes a metal ring structure supported by poles and caissons, there is flexibility in the weight limitations of the structure. Finalists will be encouraged to propose creative concepts that may reimagine or adapt the existing structural framework. If a proposed design requires modifications to the weight-bearing elements to achieve the artist’s vision, there is an opportunity to revisit and adjust those parameters in coordination with the project engineering team and the structural engineer. Collaborative problem-solving is welcomed to ensure both artistic intent and structural integrity are achieved

2.      Sculptural or lighted elements on a smaller scale are desired for all five blocks, especially interaction ground-level work. Also, landscaping on all five blocks will feature sandstone, quarried locally, as a dominant design element for seating, which could also provide opportunities for works of art.

 The City of Loveland will continue to display permanent and temporary sculptures on the corners of each City block. These sculptures will be lit with ambient lighting at the sites.

PROJECT TIMELINE 

HIP Streets construction began in early 2025 and is expected to be completed in Q1 2027. Construction on three City blocks (Washington to Jefferson, Jefferson to Cleveland, and Garfield to Railroad Avenue) is currently underway. Progress will be addressed block by block. An artwork installation by spring of 2027 is acceptable.

From this RFQ, finalists will be selected to present design concepts for this project. Finalists will be paid an honorarium for their design concepts.  It is possible that one Artist/Artist Team may be awarded the entire project, or that multiple design concepts will be awarded within the five-block area. Finalists for this project will be expected to provide a timeline of completion at the time of presentation and will be provided with additional images and videos of the site.

SELECTION CRITERIA

• Aesthetics: Does the artwork meet the aesthetic preferences as stated within the RFQ?
• Assigned Personnel: Does the Artist/Artist Team working on the project have the necessary skills to execute the project? Are there sufficient people with the requisite skills assigned to the project?
• Has the Artist/Artist Team completed projects of a similar scope on time and on budget?
• Scope of Proposal: Does the Artist/Artist Team demonstrate an understanding of the project objective, appropriate scale, and desired results?
• Materials: Are the materials safe and durable enough to be suspended above an indoor public area with heavy foot traffic?
• Constructability: Will the artistic element meet the necessary height, width, and weight specifications? What hardware and equipment will be required for installation?
• Availability: Can the installation be completed within an acceptable timeframe?

OVERALL PROJECT BUDGET

 $450,000: It is anticipated that HIP Streets will include multiple projects through the 5-block area. The project budget includes design, engineered drawings, fabrication, insurance, equipment, installation, travel, contingency, and all incidental costs. 

Application Requirements

All applications must be submitted through the CAFÉ website at www.callforentry.org. The Artist/Artist Team should not submit proposals to this RFQ, as those proposals will be removed from the jury process.  Each application must be completed in its entirety to be considered. Incomplete applications will not be juried by the artwork selection committee. All applications must include:

• a one-page statement of approach for the project, which communicates experience with projects of similar scope and scale
• a minimum of 5 images of fabricated and installed public artwork completed within the past five years that highlight your previous accomplishment(s) with installations of similar appropriate scale and at least one suspended art element. Solo Artists must submit five images of past work. (No more than 5, please.) For Artist Teams, three images per team member or a maximum of 15 are requested. Please do not submit images of past proposals that have not been executed as your application will be removed from the jury process.
• professional resumes for each artist(s) applying to this project, specifically highlighting commissions and/or sculpture installations
• 3 professional references for the Artist/Artist Team member applying to this project.

JURY OVERVIEW/FINALISTS SELECTION PROCESS

• AIPP staff will oversee operations and administer the decisions of the jury panel.
• All finalists will be provided with images of the site.
• Each finalist shall present detailed drawings for their concept(s) and a detailed narrative of their concept. Additional presentation materials that the artist feels appropriate for the jury panel’s review are highly encouraged.
• A detailed budget is required of the finalists. This budget must include all expenses in connection with the execution of the project. Before submitting a proposal, artists must ensure the project can be executed as presented.
• Artwork Selection Panel: Members of the City of Loveland Visual Arts Commission (9), Public Works staff (2), Loveland Downtown Partnership (LDP) members (3), downtown representatives/Loveland residents (4) will serve as jurors for the project.
• An honorarium will be paid to each Artist/Artist Teams selected to present their design concept(s) at a regularly scheduled Visual Arts Commission meeting. Payment will be based upon the scope of the work and/or the number of blocks for which the Artist/Artist Team is being considered.
• The design presentation date for all finalists is likely to be January 8, 2026.

FINAL COMMISSIONED ARTIST

The awarded Artists/Artist Teams must enter into a contract and provide all required certificates of general liability and automobile insurance, at the requested limits, to the City of Loveland within 30 days of receipt of the City contract. The City of Loveland may withdraw the contract if these conditions are not met.

Stamped, engineered drawings are required before fabrication, delivery and acceptance, and installation of the commissioned artwork(s).

All finished work shall be true to the approved maquette or drawings, design, concept, and budget, as approved by the Loveland Visual Arts Commission and City Engineering staff. The artists’ progress reports must be made as contracted. 

Because this artwork is considered site-specific, the awarded artist may not install a similar project or edition of this artwork within a 100-mile radius of the installation site. 

Project completion date will be determined jointly by the artist and city staff, with input from the Visual Arts Commission.

The awarded Artist/Artist Team will work closely with Cultural Services, Facilities, and Public Works staff throughout the project timeline to ensure project requirements are met.

Eligibility Criteria

The project is open to any professional Artist/Artist Team with experience creating engaging sculptural artwork that encourages engagement with this public space.