Call Description

Background 

The City of Grand Junction is known as the gateway and regional center of Western Colorado because of its location between the Rocky Mountains and the desert. Grand Junction boasts a strong cultural community and is the home of Colorado Mesa University, Museums of Western Colorado, the Art Center of Western Colorado, the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens, the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra, and Downtown Grand Junction’s nationally-known Art on the Corner exhibit with over 100 sculptures.

The region is widely recognized for its many vineyards and orchards, its abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities, the majestic Grand Mesa, the desert vistas and rock formations of the Colorado National Monument and Colorado Canyons National Conservation Area, and the confluence of the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers. 

Through the City’s 1% for the Arts Public Art Program, the City continues to create aesthetic urban environments by facilitating the display and acquisition of high-quality works of art in public spaces. 
The City’s Cultural Strategic Plan calls to build the Grand Junction area as an arts destination for public art, enhancing Grand Junction’s cultural identity and sense of community pride. (Learn more about the area.) 

Learn more about the Community Recreation Center 

Project Description
The City of Grand Junction and the Grand Junction Commission on Arts and Culture are seeking a photographer to create an original photograph for an acoustic panel that will be hung above the fireplace in the lounge of the new Community Recreation Center. The photograph should be of the Grand Junction valley, preferably from the perspective of the Colorado National Monument or include abstract depictions of it. Artwork should not focus on Mt Garfield, Grand Mesa, or the Bookcliffs. The final submission will be a digital photo file that will be printed and installed by another vendor.

Composition
The design must be original and the context must be socially acceptable. The artwork’s appearance and visual relationships with the surrounding environment shall also be considered. Artwork which conflicts with local values or is determined to not be in the public interest will not be approved. The design should adhere to the highest standards of quality, timelessness, permanence, and general appeal, and should have relevance aesthetically to the community in the present and in future years.

The artwork(s) should: 

• Provide excitement and interest for visitors and residents of the community
• Be a photograph of the Grand Junction valley, preferably from the perspective of the Colorado National Monument or include abstract depictions of it. Artwork should not focus on Mt Garfield, Grand Mesa, or the Bookcliffs
• The artwork must be at least 150-300ppi at the size of 6'w x 3'4"h.
• Be an original creation by the artist(s) or graphic designer(s)

Specific dimensions of the acoustic panel can be found in the site details on page 2.

Location
The Community Recreation Center will be located at Matchett Park, 2836 Recreation Way.

Eligibility
The project is open to all artists residing in Colorado, age 21 and over, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, military status, sexual orientation, marital status, or physical or mental disability. 
Artists must be able to show images of original creations similar in size and theme to this project. Selection will be based on past artwork experience, building experience, style, concept, ability to comply with the timeline, and references.

Budget
The budget for this project cannot exceed $1,000. If selected, the artists(s) are responsible for all costs involved in the digital design and delivery of digital photo, at least 150 to 300 DPI at its final size.  

Deadline
Submission deadline is February 8, 2026

Timeline

• February 8, 2026 – Deadline for applications
• February 9 – 23, 2026 – Artist Selection Panel will review applications
• February 24, 2026 – Artists notified
• February 27, 2026 – Digital files delivered to City

The installation timeline is tentative, and adjustable based on construction and artists timeline.

Selection Process
The selection panel will consist of representatives from the City of Grand Junction and the Grand Junction Commission on Arts & Culture.
The committee will review all artist submissions and make their selection from the initial submissions.
Upon selection, the artist(s) will be responsible for delivering the digital file with the following specifications to the City:

• A photo at least 150 to 300 DPI at its final size. 
   

Application Requirements

Artists interested in this project must prepare and submit the following. Incomplete applications missing any of the following may be excluded from consideration: 

Letter of Interest - not to exceed one (1) page. A letter explaining interest in the project and including pertinent information about the artist’s/team’s approach and projects of a similar nature.  

Resume - not to exceed two (2) pages listing professional artistic accomplishments, contact information, education or other relevant information, and current contact information for at least two references.  

Proposal – Include a one (1) page description explaining your photograph. 

Proposed Digital Files  

Images of Original Representative Work - not to exceed five (5) images. All images must be in .JPG format and must meet the size requirements from CaFE. **updated 1/30/26  

Unless otherwise noted, all other files must be in .PDF format (e.g. name.letter.pdf, name.resume.pdf, name.proposal.pdf, name.imagelist.pdf, etc.). 

Eligibility Criteria

The project is open to all artists residing in Colorado, age 21 and over, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, military status, sexual orientation, marital status, or physical or mental disability.

Artists must be able to show images of original creations similar in size and theme to this project. Selection will be based on past artwork experience, building experience, style, concept, ability to comply with the timeline, and references.