Call Detail
Federal Boulevard Public Art Project
Entry Deadline: 12/4/15
Application Closed
Work Sample Requirements Images:6

Call Type: Public Art
Eligibility: National
State: Colorado
Event Dates: 10/29/15 - 12/4/15


History and Surrounding Area
Historically home to many long standing commercial and residential buildings, the boulevard is experiencing a mix of new development to compliment the remaining businesses. The area borders the culturally diverse neighborhoods of Barnum, Valverde, Villa Park, and Sun Valley, with immigrants from Asia, Mexico, and eastern Africa. The area is known and traveled to for its eclectic cuisine. This area of Denver has the highest number of children in the city, and is also one of the poorest in all of Colorado.
 
Public Art: Parameters & Goals
The selection panel members have set forth goals and parameters for this public art project with the hope of creating unique and inspiring works of art for those who live, work, and travel along Federal Boulevard. The selection panel recommends that the proposed artwork have a verticality to act as a “beacon” or “gateway” into this diverse area. The artwork should be colorful and attractive to the eye.
 
Location: The primary location for the artwork is along Federal Boulevard, in the public right-of-way. The panel is hoping to create a gateway project near the intersection of Federal Boulevard and US 6 (6th Ave).
 
Materials & Media: The selection panel is open to artwork in all media and materials. Lighting, whether integral to the design of the artwork, or merely to draw attention in the nighttime hours, is required, and should be included in the budget.
 
Appropriate & Unique: The selection panel seeks unique, one-of-a-kind art that is appropriate for Federal Boulevard and for the diverse community that utilizes it. The artwork should speak to the international nature of the area, and the diverse and creative communities located along the boulevard. The selection panel is looking for artists who can demonstrate experience with integrating artwork into the built environment.
 
Durability & Maintenance: All public art projects in Colorado are exposed to weather and physical stresses, and are subject to vandalism. The artwork should be fabricated of highly durable, low-maintenance materials.
 
Applying for these opportunities
In response to this RFQ, applicants will be asked to submit six digital images, a résumé, and a statement of interest no longer than 2,000 characters via www.callforentry.org (CaFÉ™). From these applications, the selection panel will choose up to five semifinalists who will be brought in for an interview with the panel.
Semi-finalists will receive more specific information regarding the site and have the opportunity to meet with project representatives, the design team and public art staff.  If a formal proposal is requested, the artist will be provided an honorarium to prepare and present the proposal in person. Artists/teams selected as semi-finalists will be required to submit a Diversity & Inclusiveness Form in order for their proposals to be considered, which will be provided upon notification. As directed by Executive Order 101, this form must be submitted for all city solicitations of proposals. Denver Arts & Venues Public Art Program staff can provide guidance on filling out this form. Semifinalists will be expected to pay for travel expenses from the honorarium. The selected artist or artist team for the commission will collaborate with the Public Art Program staff and the Federal Boulevard design team when finalizing their designs for installation.
 
Please visit: www:artsandvenuesdenver.com/public-art/denver-public-art-collection for examples of recent commissions.
 
Can a team apply?
Applicants may apply as a single artist or multi-person collaborative group. In the case of teams, please submit a single résumé for the whole team with 1-2 pages per team member.
 
Budget
The budget for this commission is approximately $250,000 USD. These funds come from the City of Denver’s One Percent for Art Ordinance which allocates 1% of Capital Improvement Project budgets be set aside for the commission of public artworks. This contract amount is inclusive of all costs associated with the project including, but not limited to: the artist’s design fee, other consultation fees such as structural engineering consultation, insurance (including Colorado Workers Compensation), tools, materials, fabrication, transportation, installation, any building or site modification required, travel to and from the site, per diem expenses, project documentation, contingency to cover unexpected expenses, and any other costs. For all work done on city property, prevailing wage requirements will be applied.
 
Tentative Timeline
(Except for online application deadline, timeline is subject to adjustments)
 
Friday, December 4, 11:59 MST                   Deadline for entry (via CaFÉ™ system)
January                                                            Semifinalist Selection
March                                                             Finalist Selection
April                                                                  Finalist Notification
 
Eligibility
This project is open to all artists residing in the United States, regardless of race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, gender variance, national origin, age, religion, marital status, political opinion or affiliation, or mental or physical handicap. Artists working in any media are eligible to apply. Emerging public artists are encouraged to apply for this commission.
 
Maintenance & Durability
All applicants are expected to consider the issues of long-term conservation and maintenance of public art, along with time and budget. These projects are located in the public realm and may therefore be exposed to weather and physical stresses, as well as be subject to vandalism. Public art projects should be fabricated of highly durable, low-maintenance materials. Semifinalists are encouraged to consult with a professional conservator prior to the submission of a final proposal. Artist proposals awarded contracts will be reviewed by the City of Denver’s Public Art Committee and the Department of Construction and Engineering to ensure conformity with city standards of maintenance and durability, as well as ADA standards. All finalists are expected to stay on budget and to complete work in an approved time frame.
 
Project Selection Panel
According to Denver’s Public Art policy, the project selection panel plays an active role in the acquisition of public art for Denver. The Federal Boulevard Art Selection Panel is comprised of voting members and additional non-voting advisors. The selection panel is responsible for reviewing the site, establishing criteria, writing a call for entry, reviewing applications, and selecting and interviewing semi-finalists and finalists.
 
Selection Process
Up to five artists/artist teams will be selected as semifinalists, depending on the number of responses to the RFQ. Those selected will receive more specific information regarding the site and have the opportunity to meet with project representatives, the design team and public art staff. The selection panel will interview and/or review proposals from the semifinalists and recommend finalists for the commission. The semifinalists will receive an honorarium to prepare and present the proposal in person. The final recommendation of the selection panel will be presented to the Public Art Committee, the Denver Commission on Cultural Affairs, and Mayor Michael B. Hancock for final approval. All decisions of the City and County of Denver are final.
 
Materials to be Submitted
Please read this section carefully. Incomplete applications will NOT be considered. The applicant’s name must appear on all materials submitted.
 
All materials must be submitted online, via the CaFÉ™ website (www.callforentry.org). There is no application fee to apply or to use the CaFÉ™ online application system.
 
Digital ImagesIn order to be considered for this project, the applicant must electronically submit six digital images of previously completed artworks through the CaFÉ™ system.
 
Instructions on how to format images to CaFÉ™ specifications can be found at  www.callforentry.org/imaging_tips.phtml. Assistance in using the CaFÉ™ system is available during regular business hours by calling 303-629-1166 or 888-562-7232, or via email at cafe@westaf.org. If an artist does not have access to a computer, s/he may call 720-865-4302 to make arrangements to use a computer at Denver Arts & Venues.
 
Statement of InterestPlease submit a statement briefly outlining your interest in the Federal Boulevard Public Art project and experience working on projects of this kind (2000 character maximum) via CaFÉ™.
 
RésuméSubmit a one-to-two page current résumé via CaFÉ™ that highlights your professional accomplishments as an artist. Please name your résumé file accordingly: Last name.First initial (i.e. Smith.J.pdf). Résumés that are more than two pages will not be downloaded. If applying as a team, please submit one résumé with 1-2 pages per team member.
 
Please direct all questions about the project to Brendan Picker at 720-865-4302 or brendan.picker@denvergov.org, or to Mary Valdez at 720-865-4313 or mary.valdez@denvergov.org.

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria