Call Detail
Entry Deadline: 10/8/18
Application Closed
Application Closed
Work Sample Requirements
Images | Minimum:Min. 6, Maximum:Max. 6
Total Samples | Minimum:Min. 6, Maximum:Max. 6
Images | Minimum:Min. 6, Maximum:Max. 6
Total Samples | Minimum:Min. 6, Maximum:Max. 6
Call Type: Public Art
Eligibility: Local
State: Colorado
Event Dates: 8/21/18 - 9/24/18
Eligibility: Local
State: Colorado
Event Dates: 8/21/18 - 9/24/18
Westwood Park Public Art Project
Budget: approximately $55,000 USD
(Colorado artists only)
DEADLINE: Monday, October 8, 2018 11:59 p.m. MST
Introduction:
The Denver Arts & Venues Public Art Program, now in its 30th year, seeks to commission an artist or team of artists to create an original work of art for Westwood Park. The park is located at 4951 W. Kentucky Ave in Denver’s Westwood neighborhood. The Westwood Park art selection panel has recommended a site-specific, unique work of art to be designed, fabricated and installed for the park. A requirement of this project is engaging the community in the creative process through hands-on workshops for youth and residents. The goal of the artwork is to celebrate the community of Westwood and help instill a sense of pride and ownership in the park through the creation of a timeless and permanent art installation of high artistic merit and quality. Artist(s) should consider how the artwork will: enhance neighborhood culture; celebrate public space and promote unity and diversity. The specific locations for proposed artworks are to be determined once a short list of semifinalists are selected. This commission is open to artists or artist teams residing in the state of Colorado. The budget is approximately $55,000 USD, with a generous portion of the budget granted by The Trust for Public Land. All community engagement meetings and workshops will be held in the Westwood neighborhood.
The Westwood neighborhood is one of the most culturally vibrant neighborhoods in the Denver Metro Area. The neighborhood, located in southwest Denver, is bound by Sheridan Boulevard on the west, Federal Boulevard on the east, Alameda Avenue on the north and Mississippi Avenue on the south with Morrison Road diagonally bisecting the neighborhood. Westwood is home to a multi-generational community with a population of approximately 80% Hispanic and 20% multi-cultural (Vietnamese, African American, Native American, Caucasian) residents. Nearly half of Westwood’s population is under the age of 18 making it the neighborhood with the largest number of youth in the city. Westwood has the highest population density in Denver with the least amount of open space per resident. With few grocery stores or healthy food options, Westwood has the highest rates of obesity and highest health disparity. Westwood residents share a strong sense of community and take pride in their neighborhood and the public spaces they have worked tirelessly to improve, including Westwood Park.
In June 2017, the Colorado Creative Industries, a division of the state Office of Economic Development, certified the Westwood Creative District along Morrison Road between Alameda Avenue and Perry Street. “Creative Districts are hubs of economic activity, enhancing the area as an appealing place to live, visit and conduct business, as well as generate new economic activity.” The Westwood Creative District celebrates the culture and people of the neighborhood through Urban Arts Fund murals, art galleries, and public art installations created by local artists. The spirit of the creative district reaches beyond Morrison Road. Artwork can be found throughout the neighborhood on garages and fences, in alleys, and at schools.
Westwood Park is the largest park in the Westwood neighborhood; however, the park is difficult to find between residential houses with their backyards creating the outer edge of the park. Consequently, the park is under-utilized by residents. In 2014, community members saw the potential for making this park a hub for families and residents of all ages. Through a robust engagement process led by The Trust for Public Land in partnership with Denver Parks and Recreation and Westwood Unidos, residents participated in the park design process to identify ways to re-imagine the park as a place where kids and families can recreate, socialize, and connect to nature. Among the many park features and programs identified for the park by the community, the incorporation of art that expresses the cultural diversity and community of Westwood was identified as a high priority.
Through the community engagement process, the theme of the park’s design became the hummingbird, which reflects the amazing diversity of the Westwood neighborhood. Like the hummingbird that migrates from Mexico to Colorado residents of Westwood have come from many different places including Mexico, Central and South America, and Vietnam- creating a vibrant and diverse community. The Westwood Park renovation project is a part of the Great Outdoors Colorado Inspire Initiative, a five-year strategy aimed at inspiring Coloradans, particularly kids, to appreciate, enjoy and take care of our great outdoors. Through this vision, Westwood Park now has nature play areas with logs and boulders, and pollinator gardens for learning and exploration.
The Site for the Artwork
The community has identified three potential locations for the artwork in Westwood Park: The 3 entrances into the park; the “kiosko” (shelter/gazebo) and the park plaza. The specific locations for proposed artworks are to be determined at future semifinalists’ site visit.
Appropriate & Unique
The selection panel seeks a unique, one-of-a-kind artwork(s) appropriate for Westwood Park and the visitors who utilize the park. The artwork should reflect the park’s design theme and integrate into the vision of Westwood Park being a place where kids and families can connect to nature. The artist should have an understanding of, and respect for, the cultural diversity and history of the Westwood neighborhood. Eighty percent of residents are Latino or Hispanic and many are monolingual, speaking only Spanish. The artist will be required to take this into account as they plan their community engagement and provide Spanish interpretation, if necessary.
Materials & Media
The selection panel members have set forth specific goals and parameters for this public art project with the hope of creating a unique and inspiring work of art for the diverse communities that visit and enjoy Westwood Park. The selection panel is open to two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional artwork in all media, materials and formats including interactive art, environmental art, eco-art, sound art and landscape art.
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 exist in the public realm and are exposed to weather and physical stresses, as well as vulnerable 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. Selected artist proposals will be reviewed by the City of Denver’s Public Art Committee and other appropriate city agencies to ensure conformity with city standards of maintenance and durability, as well as ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards. All finalists are expected to stay on budget and to complete work in an approved timeframe.
Eligibility
This 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, Latino artists, and artists representing under-resourced communities based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age and disabilityare encouraged to apply for this commission. Contact the Denver Public Art office with any questions regarding this designation. The art selection panel would like to encourage that in addition to commissioning an artwork from a Colorado resident, that the artwork itself is also fabricated in Colorado.
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™). If applying as a multi-person collaborative team, please submit a single résumé with no more than one page per team member. From these applications, the selection panel will choose up to five semifinalists who will be brought in for an interview with the panel. If a formal proposal is requested, the artists will be provided an honorarium of $500 to prepare and present the proposal in person. Semifinalists will receive more specific information regarding the site, meet with project representatives, the design team and Denver Public Art staff. 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 will collaborate with the Public Art Program staff, The Trust For Public Land and the Westwood Park design team when finalizing their designs for installation.
Please visit: www.denverpublicart.org for examples of other public artworks in the city’s collection.
Diversity and Inclusiveness
As directed by Denver Executive Order 101, artists/teams selected as semifinalists will be required to submit a Diversity & Inclusiveness form which will be provided upon notification. Denver Executive Order No. 101 establishes strategies between the City and private industry to use diversity and inclusiveness to 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 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. Diversity 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.
Denver Arts & Venues is committed to diversity, equity and inclusiveness in all our programs, initiatives and decision-making processes.
Budget
The budget for this commission is approximately $55,000 USD. These funds come from the City of Denver’s One Percent for Public Art Ordinance which allocates 1% of capital Improvement project budgets of more than $1m to be set aside for the commission of new public artworks, and from a grant from The Trust For Public Land. The final 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, permits, 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)
Monday, October 8, 2018 11:59 p.m. MST Deadline for entry (via CaFÉ™ system)
October Semifinalist Selection
November Finalist Selection
January 2019 Finalist Notification
Art Selection Panel
According to Denver Public Art policy, the art selection panel plays an active and crucial role in the acquisition of public art for Denver. The Westwood Park art selection panel is comprised of voting members and additional non-voting advisors. The art selection panel is responsible for reviewing the site, establishing criteria, writing a call for entry, reviewing applications, selecting and interviewing semifinalists, and recommend a finalist.
Selection Process
Up to five artists/artist teams will be selected as semifinalists. Those selected will receive more specific information regarding the project. The selection panel will interview semifinalists and/or review proposals from the semifinalists and recommend a finalist for the commission. The semifinalists will receive an honorarium of $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.
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 Images - 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 include links to the work uploaded online, such as YouTube or Vimeo.
Budget: approximately $55,000 USD
(Colorado artists only)
DEADLINE: Monday, October 8, 2018 11:59 p.m. MST
Introduction:
The Denver Arts & Venues Public Art Program, now in its 30th year, seeks to commission an artist or team of artists to create an original work of art for Westwood Park. The park is located at 4951 W. Kentucky Ave in Denver’s Westwood neighborhood. The Westwood Park art selection panel has recommended a site-specific, unique work of art to be designed, fabricated and installed for the park. A requirement of this project is engaging the community in the creative process through hands-on workshops for youth and residents. The goal of the artwork is to celebrate the community of Westwood and help instill a sense of pride and ownership in the park through the creation of a timeless and permanent art installation of high artistic merit and quality. Artist(s) should consider how the artwork will: enhance neighborhood culture; celebrate public space and promote unity and diversity. The specific locations for proposed artworks are to be determined once a short list of semifinalists are selected. This commission is open to artists or artist teams residing in the state of Colorado. The budget is approximately $55,000 USD, with a generous portion of the budget granted by The Trust for Public Land. All community engagement meetings and workshops will be held in the Westwood neighborhood.
The Westwood neighborhood is one of the most culturally vibrant neighborhoods in the Denver Metro Area. The neighborhood, located in southwest Denver, is bound by Sheridan Boulevard on the west, Federal Boulevard on the east, Alameda Avenue on the north and Mississippi Avenue on the south with Morrison Road diagonally bisecting the neighborhood. Westwood is home to a multi-generational community with a population of approximately 80% Hispanic and 20% multi-cultural (Vietnamese, African American, Native American, Caucasian) residents. Nearly half of Westwood’s population is under the age of 18 making it the neighborhood with the largest number of youth in the city. Westwood has the highest population density in Denver with the least amount of open space per resident. With few grocery stores or healthy food options, Westwood has the highest rates of obesity and highest health disparity. Westwood residents share a strong sense of community and take pride in their neighborhood and the public spaces they have worked tirelessly to improve, including Westwood Park.
In June 2017, the Colorado Creative Industries, a division of the state Office of Economic Development, certified the Westwood Creative District along Morrison Road between Alameda Avenue and Perry Street. “Creative Districts are hubs of economic activity, enhancing the area as an appealing place to live, visit and conduct business, as well as generate new economic activity.” The Westwood Creative District celebrates the culture and people of the neighborhood through Urban Arts Fund murals, art galleries, and public art installations created by local artists. The spirit of the creative district reaches beyond Morrison Road. Artwork can be found throughout the neighborhood on garages and fences, in alleys, and at schools.
Westwood Park is the largest park in the Westwood neighborhood; however, the park is difficult to find between residential houses with their backyards creating the outer edge of the park. Consequently, the park is under-utilized by residents. In 2014, community members saw the potential for making this park a hub for families and residents of all ages. Through a robust engagement process led by The Trust for Public Land in partnership with Denver Parks and Recreation and Westwood Unidos, residents participated in the park design process to identify ways to re-imagine the park as a place where kids and families can recreate, socialize, and connect to nature. Among the many park features and programs identified for the park by the community, the incorporation of art that expresses the cultural diversity and community of Westwood was identified as a high priority.
Through the community engagement process, the theme of the park’s design became the hummingbird, which reflects the amazing diversity of the Westwood neighborhood. Like the hummingbird that migrates from Mexico to Colorado residents of Westwood have come from many different places including Mexico, Central and South America, and Vietnam- creating a vibrant and diverse community. The Westwood Park renovation project is a part of the Great Outdoors Colorado Inspire Initiative, a five-year strategy aimed at inspiring Coloradans, particularly kids, to appreciate, enjoy and take care of our great outdoors. Through this vision, Westwood Park now has nature play areas with logs and boulders, and pollinator gardens for learning and exploration.
The Site for the Artwork
The community has identified three potential locations for the artwork in Westwood Park: The 3 entrances into the park; the “kiosko” (shelter/gazebo) and the park plaza. The specific locations for proposed artworks are to be determined at future semifinalists’ site visit.
Appropriate & Unique
The selection panel seeks a unique, one-of-a-kind artwork(s) appropriate for Westwood Park and the visitors who utilize the park. The artwork should reflect the park’s design theme and integrate into the vision of Westwood Park being a place where kids and families can connect to nature. The artist should have an understanding of, and respect for, the cultural diversity and history of the Westwood neighborhood. Eighty percent of residents are Latino or Hispanic and many are monolingual, speaking only Spanish. The artist will be required to take this into account as they plan their community engagement and provide Spanish interpretation, if necessary.
Materials & Media
The selection panel members have set forth specific goals and parameters for this public art project with the hope of creating a unique and inspiring work of art for the diverse communities that visit and enjoy Westwood Park. The selection panel is open to two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional artwork in all media, materials and formats including interactive art, environmental art, eco-art, sound art and landscape art.
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 exist in the public realm and are exposed to weather and physical stresses, as well as vulnerable 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. Selected artist proposals will be reviewed by the City of Denver’s Public Art Committee and other appropriate city agencies to ensure conformity with city standards of maintenance and durability, as well as ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards. All finalists are expected to stay on budget and to complete work in an approved timeframe.
Eligibility
This 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, Latino artists, and artists representing under-resourced communities based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age and disabilityare encouraged to apply for this commission. Contact the Denver Public Art office with any questions regarding this designation. The art selection panel would like to encourage that in addition to commissioning an artwork from a Colorado resident, that the artwork itself is also fabricated in Colorado.
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™). If applying as a multi-person collaborative team, please submit a single résumé with no more than one page per team member. From these applications, the selection panel will choose up to five semifinalists who will be brought in for an interview with the panel. If a formal proposal is requested, the artists will be provided an honorarium of $500 to prepare and present the proposal in person. Semifinalists will receive more specific information regarding the site, meet with project representatives, the design team and Denver Public Art staff. 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 will collaborate with the Public Art Program staff, The Trust For Public Land and the Westwood Park design team when finalizing their designs for installation.
Please visit: www.denverpublicart.org for examples of other public artworks in the city’s collection.
Diversity and Inclusiveness
As directed by Denver Executive Order 101, artists/teams selected as semifinalists will be required to submit a Diversity & Inclusiveness form which will be provided upon notification. Denver Executive Order No. 101 establishes strategies between the City and private industry to use diversity and inclusiveness to 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 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. Diversity 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.
Denver Arts & Venues is committed to diversity, equity and inclusiveness in all our programs, initiatives and decision-making processes.
Budget
The budget for this commission is approximately $55,000 USD. These funds come from the City of Denver’s One Percent for Public Art Ordinance which allocates 1% of capital Improvement project budgets of more than $1m to be set aside for the commission of new public artworks, and from a grant from The Trust For Public Land. The final 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, permits, 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)
Monday, October 8, 2018 11:59 p.m. MST Deadline for entry (via CaFÉ™ system)
October Semifinalist Selection
November Finalist Selection
January 2019 Finalist Notification
Art Selection Panel
According to Denver Public Art policy, the art selection panel plays an active and crucial role in the acquisition of public art for Denver. The Westwood Park art selection panel is comprised of voting members and additional non-voting advisors. The art selection panel is responsible for reviewing the site, establishing criteria, writing a call for entry, reviewing applications, selecting and interviewing semifinalists, and recommend a finalist.
Selection Process
Up to five artists/artist teams will be selected as semifinalists. Those selected will receive more specific information regarding the project. The selection panel will interview semifinalists and/or review proposals from the semifinalists and recommend a finalist for the commission. The semifinalists will receive an honorarium of $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.
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 Images - 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 include links to the work uploaded online, such as YouTube or Vimeo.