Call Description

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)

For the Dobson Arena

Vail, CO

Issued by: Town of Vail, Vail Recreation District, and Black Cube Nomadic Art Museum

Deadline: November 9, 2025, 11:59pm MT

Please review this FAQ document prior to submitting to this RFQ.
For additional questions, please email hello@blackcube.art.

I. INTRODUCTION

The Town of Vail’s Art in Public Places and the Vail Recreation District––through the management of Black Cube Nomadic Art Museum––seek to commission large-scale public artworks for the Dobson Arena in Vail, Colorado, as part of the Dobson Arena Remodel Project. The artworks will be sited in up to 5 prominent locations throughout the highly trafficked building complex. The total budget for this project is approximately $273,000, which will be distributed across all commissions.

Built in 1979, the Dobson Arena is one of the largest multi-purpose ice facilities on Colorado’s Western Slope. The building is a hub of athletic and cultural activity, open year-round to the public for hockey, figure skating, and broomball, as well as many non-ice events, including concerts, conferences, and fundraisers.

Improvements at Dobson were identified as a significant part of the Town of Vail’s Civic Area Plan, which was adopted in 2019. In early 2024, the town contracted with Populous and Hyder/McHugh Construction to move the project forward. The remodel began in April 2025 and is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete, with an anticipated reopening at the end of September 2026. More information on the venue can be found here.

II. PROJECT SCOPE + BUDGET

The Town of Vail, the Vail Recreation District, and Black Cube Nomadic Art Museum are seeking up to 5 artists to produce artworks for key areas of the newly remodeled Dobson Arena. These artworks must be appropriately durable for an active indoor sporting facility and outdoor mountain environment.

The total budget for this project is approximately $273,000, which will be unequally distributed across all commissions. This budget includes artist fees, design, materials, installation, transportation, labor, and other associated costs.

Potential artwork locations and preferred mediums include:                       

• South Entry walls—2D low-relief and mural works
• West Entry vestibule—light-based suspended sculpture
• South Lounge stairwell—suspended sculpture work with possible integration of railing
• Exterior—outdoor sculpture, possible interactive element
• Additional site(s) to be determined

III. PROJECT GOALS

The Dobson Arena public art project seeks to commission visually impactful, durable, and meaningful artworks that enhance the remodeled facility and reflect the unique character of Vail. The following goals will guide artist selection and artwork development:

• Durability & Functionality
  • All artworks must be designed to withstand the wear and tear of a high-traffic, multi-use public space—both indoors and outdoors—and the environmental conditions of a high-altitude mountain climate.
• Visual Impact & Quality
  • Selected artworks should exhibit a high level of artistic quality, craft, and originality. Artists are encouraged to propose work that will be visually engaging and memorable for a wide range of guests.
• Integration with Architecture & Use
  • Works should respond to and enhance the architectural renovation by Populous and align with the functional needs of the facility.
  • Selected artists should consider flow, sightlines, egress, and the building's dynamic use by athletes, musicians, performers, guests, and residents.
• Diversity of Media & Experience
  • We are seeking a range of media and approaches across multiple distinct locations within the facility. If invited to submit a proposal, Artists may propose for one or more of the following:
    • Outdoor sculpture, possibly interactive
    • Light-based sculpture
    • Suspended sculpture
    • 2D low-relief wall-based works (tile, mosaic, and other materials encouraged)
    • Murals
    • or other site-integrated art may be considered

IV. SELECTION CRITERIA + REVIEW PROCESS

All RFQ submissions will be evaluated by an Art Selection Committee, composed of the Town’s Art in Public Places Board and staff, a member from the Vail Recreation District Board and staff, a representative of Black Cube Nomadic Art Museum, and a member from the architect Populous. This group ensures a balance of aesthetic, architectural, civic, and community perspectives.

From the pool of RFQs, the Committee will invite select finalists to submit RFPs for specific locations in the Dobson Arena (potential sites outlined above). Finalists will receive a $500 fee for their proposal as well as more in-depth and specific details about the location, including dimensions, materials, and budget to tailor their proposals accordingly. Finalists will be expected to present their proposal to the Committee. Evaluation criteria may include quality of an artist/artist team’s overall practice, quality of the proposal and alignment with the project, and feasibility of the proposal.

V. TIMELINE

• November 9, 2025, 11:59pm MT: Deadline for RFQ submissions
• By November 21, 2025: Finalists invited to submit RFP
• January 12, 2026, 11:59pm MT: Deadline for RFP submissions
• January 20—23, 2026: Artist interviews and proposal presentations (either virtual or in-person)
• Week of January 26, 2025: Selected artists notified
• February 2026—March 31, 2026: Contracting; design development + refinement
• April 1, 2026—August 31, 2026: Fabrication + installation coordination
• September 1—15, 2026: Installation

*Please note that this timeline is subject to change.

Application Requirements

Artists interested in this project should prepare and submit the following:

• Letter of Interest. The letter should be no more than one page in length and should explain the artist/artist team’s interest in the project.
• Resume. If submitting as a collective/team, a resume should be submitted for each member.
• Portfolio. 8-10 images or videos of recent work, with descriptive captions.
• References. At least three professional references, including contact information (phone and email), number of years known, and a description of the relationship to the artist.
• Artist Contact Details: Artist full name(s), email address(es), website(s) if any, physical address(es), and phone number(s).

Ineligible or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Eligibility Criteria

This opportunity is open to professional artists and artist collectives/teams with experience creating site-specific works in the public realm.

To be considered, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• 18+ years in age
• Based in the United States, Canada, or Mexico
• Experience creating site-specific works in public space
• Ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders and project managers
• Strong knowledge of materials and techniques appropriate for art in highly trafficked public spaces
• Proven experience in managing a project from design to installation
• Capacity to meet project deadlines and budgetary constraints