Call Description

The Town of Basalt, through the Basalt Public Arts Commission (BPAC), is pleased to announce this Call to Artists. The Town is accepting proposals through May 31, 2025, for a two-year Art Consignment Agreement. There is no fee to enter a submission. 

Location: Basalt is a small town within the Roaring Fork Valley with a population just under 4,000 residents. Basalt is located approximately 20 miles northwest of Aspen and 21 miles southeast of Glenwood Springs. The Town is situated at the confluence of the Frying Pan and Roaring Fork Rivers, and is a destination for fly fishing, rafting, cycling, and other outdoor activities year round. The designated sculpture locations will be along Midland Avenue within downtown Basalt’s business district. 

Scope of Work • The Artwork will remain in place for a two-year term unless an extension is agreed upon between the Town of Basalt and the Artist. After the term expiration the artist will coordinate the removal of the sculpture with the Town. • If the artwork is purchased while on display with the Town, the Artwork shall remain on site for the duration of the Art Consignment Agreement. • Town Staff and artist will coordinate to install the artwork onto marble blocks affixed with iron plates and/or bolts. • The artwork must be able to withstand Basalt’s climate and weather. • All artwork must be appropriate for all ages. • The installation should require no maintenance during its time on display with the Town of Basalt. • Artwork that is fragile, dangerous, or otherwise incompatible with the display site will not be considered for the Art Consignment program.

 Artist Responsibilities: • Executed Contract with the Town for Art Consignment Agreement. • Transportation of the artwork to and from the site. • Insurance for the Art – provide an insurance certificate to the Town prior to installation. • Assistance with installation. • Must have sole ownership and rights to the artwork. • The artist shall pay sales tax on purchase price.

Town of Basalt Responsibilities: • If necessary and within the Town’s ability, the Town will provide the equipment needed for the installation and removal of the art piece. • Brass plaque with Title, Artist Name, Date, BPAC logo, QR code to website providing information about the artist and the piece. • Liability insurance for the exhibition site. 

Timeline: The following table outlines critical dates for the project. Any updates will be shared with the applicants and notice will be provided on the Town’s website. Call to Artists April 1, 2025 – May 1, 2025 Receive Questions from Artists April 1, 2025 – May 1, 2025 Submissions Due May 31, 2025 Basalt Public Arts Commission (BPAC) meet to select shortlist of potential artists/sculptures June 1, 2025 Council Selection May 13, 2025. Installation Date June 1 – November 15, 2025 

About the Sculpture: 

1. The size and scale of the proposed art piece shall be appropriate in relation to the site. The Town of Basalt has 10 available sites with sizes varying from 1’ to 15 ft for height, with a width of 1’ to 6 ft.
2. Base size also varies depending on the marble block. Ideally the base will attach to a 12- 15” flat section of a marble block.  We have 15 different sized marble blocks that we can match or customize to.
3. Materials. The art piece shall be crafted of materials that are appropriate to withstand Basalt’s weather and Colorado’s mountain climate. Materials must be touchable, free of sharp surfaces or angles, and not highly reflective.
4. Maintenance. The art piece shall be maintenance free or require minimal maintenance during the 2-year consignment.

Proposal Requirements: The artist shall provide a detailed representation of the art piece as a rendering or photographic image including detailed dimension measurements of the piece. The successful submission will be reviewed by BPAC, Town Staff, and updates to Town Council. The artist shall describe the materials used and the dimension of the proposed sculpture. The artist shall provide a full outline of the budget with the cost of delivery and installation broken out. The artist should include any available references, as well as website or social media accounts where examples of work can be viewed. While not required, it is strongly recommended that the artist visits the site and the downtown Basalt area. 

Questions/Answers: Artists shall submit any questions to Brent Compton, the Public Art and Community Events Manager for the Town of Basalt. A list of questions and responses will be made available to all artists that indicate a desire to apply and will be posted on the Town’s website at www.basalt.net on April 1, 2025.  

Submission of Proposed Sculpture Proposals will be received until 5:00 pm on August 1, 2025. Materials may be submitted in the following ways: 

1. Email : Brent.compton@basalt.net 

2. Google Form Application https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfjhYZj-GGYvS0uULmNaCKu1edaW8OUrJI5Dyzes5EYz4cEag/viewform

3. USPS, FedEx or UPS: Brent Compton c/o Town of Basalt, 101 Midland Avenue, Basalt CO 81621

 4. Hand delivery to Brent Compton, Town of Basalt, 99 Midland Avenue, Basalt CO 81621 

Application Requirements

Proposal Requirements:

 The artist shall provide a detailed representation of the art piece as a rendering or photographic image including detailed dimension measurements of the piece. The successful submission will be reviewed by BPAC, Town Staff, and updates to Town Council. The artist shall describe the materials used and the dimension of the proposed sculpture. The artist shall provide a full outline of the budget with the cost of delivery and installation broken out. The artist should include any available references, as well as website or social media accounts where examples of work can be viewed. While not required, it is strongly recommended that the artist visits the site and the downtown Basalt area. 

Eligibility Criteria

 Artists must be at least 18 years of age to enter. Ideally the artist will have experience with working with the materials proposed for the sculpture and can provide examples of work. Local, regional, or artists located within the state of Colorado will be given priority.

 Art Consignment Agreement: The Art Consignment Agreement is a two-year contract to locate artwork on a designated Town owned location. The artwork will be promoted by the Basalt Public Arts Commission website and on the Town’s social media. Any artist entering into the Art Consignment Agreement recognizes the mutual benefits of having art work displayed in public areas, the promotion of public art, and the related opportunities to sell pieces on public display. Pieces that sell while on display shall pay a $500 fee to help the Town recover costs associated with installation of the art piece.