Background

The Triple Creek Trailhead was opened by the City of Aurora in 2019, providing access to the regional trail system at the juncture of the High Line Canal and Sand Creek Regional Greenway. Named for the convergence of three creeks – Coal Creek, Senac Creek and Sand Creek – the Triple Creek Corridor Project added 14 miles of interconnected open space and trails along with a link to the 71-mile High Line Canal. While the trailhead was opened in 2019 with parking and a vault toilet, the City of Aurora has been working with the High Line Canal Conservancy to advance the design of amenities, circulation paths, gathering spaces, planting and a bike skills course to activate the trailhead and natural open space. These amenities will be installed in 2026 along with interpretive and wayfinding signage. 

There are two potential areas for art, Preferred Site One and Preferred Site Two. Preferred Site One is located at the top of a hill which has approximately a 12’ diameter circle. That measurement is only the crusher fines area, excluding a seating arrangement made of boulders. Preferred Site Two is located between the trails and parking access road and is approximately 60’ x 60.’

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

• 8-10 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? What does ‘access to nature’ mean in an urban or suburban environment like Aurora, and how can art help highlight or improve that access?)
• Brief bio
• Open ONLY to artists who reside in United States

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 Process

Aurora’s Public Art Staff manages the selection process. All applications must be submitted through the CaFE System of Creative West. This application process is free. No hard copies will be accepted, and no applications should be submitted directly to public art staff. This is a regional call for artists residing in the following states: Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, Kansas, and Nebraska.

Phase One: The Selection Panel will identify the most qualified applicants based on the selection criteria listed below. From this pool of submissions, three finalists will be selected.

Phase Two: Three finalists will each receive a $800 honorarium to participate in an optional site visit, develop a formal proposal, and participate in a virtual interview. Finalists will receive a list of key stakeholders that can be contacted during the design research process. During the formal interviews (virtual), finalists will make their presentations and engage in a Q & A period.

Phase Three: The Selection Panel will recommend the selected applicant to the Art in Public Places Commission for approval. Then the project will move through a multi-level approval process, culminating with City Council.

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 $45,000 or greater.
• Living and working in the United States.

Tentative Timeline

• Deadline for completed applications to be received: May 26, 2025, 11:59 pm Mountain Time.
• Finalists notified: week of June 2, 2025
• Finalists’ virtual presentations: August 4, 2025
• Multi-level approval process completed: October 2025
• It is desirable that the work be completed and installed by Fall, 2026