Introduction
nThe City of Denver's Public Art Program and the Levitt Pavilion Art Selection Panel has released a Request for Qualifications for artists who wish to work on a public art project for the Levitt Pavilion at Ruby Hill Park. The ultimate vision establishes Levitt Pavilion and Ruby Hill Park as a family friendly event destination. The public art component will be located near the pavilion itself in order to enhance the experience of those who visit the site.
nHistory and Surrounding Area
nRuby Hill Park is located in southwest Denver, adjacent to the Platte River, and is one of the city's oldest parks. With an existing covered picnic area, playground, urban snowboard park and community garden, the park is about to undergo another transformation that includes the installation of a mountain bike course, a new loop trail for biking and running, and the Levitt Pavilion. The surrounding neighborhoods include Athmar Park, Ruby Hill-Goodsman, Overland, Baker, Garfield, and College View. The area is mostly residential to the south and west, and industrial in nature to the north and east. Levitt Pavilion will hold dozens of free concerts throughout the year, with the aim of highlighting Colorado’s musical talent. The venue will also hold admission-based concerts, as well as being available to rent for private events.
nPublic Art: Parameters & Goals
nThe selection panel members have set forth goals and parameters for this public art project with the hope of creating a unique and inspiring destination those who visit the park and pavilion.
nLocation: The primary location for the artwork is in close exterior proximity to the pavilion, or integrated into the architecture of the pavilion itself.
nMaterials & Media: The selection panel is open to artwork in all media and materials, including light and sound, with the exception of 2-D artworks and murals.
nAppropriate & Unique: The selection panel seeks a unique, one-of-a-kind artwork that is appropriate for Ruby Hill Park and for the diverse community that utilizes it. The artwork should speak to community-based connections, music, the sky and other celestial themes. The selection panel is looking for artists that can demonstrate experience with integrating artwork into the built environment, either on the pavilion itself, or into the surrounding landscape. The art selection panel would like to ensure that in addition to commissioning an artwork from a Colorado resident, that the artwork itself is fabricated in Colorado as well.
nDurability & 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.
nApplying for this opportunity
nIn 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.
nSemi-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. From the interview or proposal, an artist or artist team will be selected for this commission. The selected artist or artist team for the commission will collaborate with the Public Art Program staff and the Levitt Pavilion design team when finalizing their designs for installation.
nPlease visit: www:artsandvenuesdenver.com/public-art/denver-public-art-collection for examples of recent commissions.
nCan a team apply?
nApplicants 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.
nBudget
nThe budget for this commission is up to $40,000 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.
nTentative Timeline
n(Except for online application deadline, timeline is subject to adjustments)
n 
nFriday, December 11, 11:59 MST          Deadline for entry (via CaFÉ™ system)
nDecember                                           Semifinalist Selection
nJanuary                                               Finalist Selection
nFebruary                                              Finalist Notification
n 
nEligibility
nThis project is open to artists residing in Colorado, regardless of race, color, creed, gender, gender variance, sexual orientation, national origin, age, religion, marital status, political opinion or affiliation, or mental or physical disability. Artists working in any media are eligible to apply. Artists are not required to have previous experience in public art. Emerging artists are encouraged to apply for this commission. The art selection panel would like to ensure that in addition to commissioning an artwork from a Colorado resident, that the artwork itself is fabricated in Colorado as well.
nMaintenance & Durability
nAll 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.
nDiversity and Inclusiveness
nDenver Executive Order No. 101 establishes strategies between the City and private industry to use diversity and inclusiveness promote economic development in the City and County of Denver and to encourage more businesses to compete for City contracts and procurements. The Executive Order requires, among other things, the collection of certain information regarding the practices of the City’s contractors and consultants toward diversity and inclusiveness and encourages/requires City agencies to include diversity and inclusiveness policies in selection criteria where legally permitted in solicitations for City services or goods.
nDiversity and Inclusiveness means inviting values, perspectives and contributions of people from diverse backgrounds, and integrates diversity into its hiring and retention policies, training opportunities, and business development methods to provide an equal opportunity for each person to participate, contribute, and succeed within the organization’s workplace. “Diversity” encompasses a wide variety of human differences, including differences such as race, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, physical disabilities, appearance, historically underutilized and disadvantaged persons, as well as social identities such as religion, marital status, socio-economic status, lifestyle, education, parental status, geographic background, language ability, and veteran status.
nProject Selection Panel
nAccording to Denver’s Public Art policies, the project selection panel plays an active role in the acquisition of public art for Denver. The Levitt Pavilion 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.
nSelection Process
nUp 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 of up to $500 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.
nMaterials to be Submitted
nPlease read this section carefully. Incomplete applications will NOT be considered. The applicant’s name must appear on all materials submitted.
n 
nAll 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.
n 
nDigital Images—In order to be considered for this project, the applicant must electronically submit six digital images of previously completed artworks through the CaFÉ™ system. Artists who wish to submit kinetic, sound or media works must submit a complete CaFÉ™ application and will be able to upload up to two video files and two audio files.
n 
nInstructions 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 720-865-4307 to make arrangements to use a computer at Denver Arts & Venues.
n 
nStatement of Interest—Please submit a statement briefly outlining your interest in the Levitt Pavilion Public Art project and experience working on projects of this kind (2000 character maximum) via CaFÉ™.
n 
nRésumé—Submit 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.
n 
nPlease direct all questions about the project to Brendan Picker at 720-865-4302 or brendan.picker@denvergov.org
n

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria

Print this Page    View Rules & Terms to Apply