Introduction
The Denver Arts & Venues Public Art Program seeks to commission an artist or team of artists to create an original work of art for the River North (RiNo) Promenade. The future promenade will be located along Arkins Blvd., between 35th and 38th streets. The selection panel has recommended either one site-specific artwork, or several site-specific artworks to be integrated along the promenade. The commission amount is approximately $80,000 USD.

River North Promenade
The River North (RiNo) Promenade project repurposes an existing local street within an aging industrial neighborhood which is rapidly transforming into a vital mixed-use art district at the edge of downtown Denver.  Wenk Associates has developed conceptual planning and design development documents, transforming the site into a mile-long pedestrian promenade along the river’s edge.

The promenade will be a linear park linking a series of outdoor “rooms” to accommodate flexible festival space, cafés, and an urban theater. The promenade will be connected to the future River North Park and linked to the South Platte River with cottonwood and native tree groves irrigated by stormwater runoff from adjacent streets. Innovative approaches to treat stormwater within the right-of-way are incorporated with curbless streets adjoining landscape-based (shallow vegetated swales) water quality areas. The possibility of custom elements, including a pavilion and gangway made of recycled/reused materials, will create a unique identity along the river for the RiNo community and for the city of Denver as a whole.

River North Art District
The RiNo Art District is a part of four historic neighborhoods, Five Points, Cole, Globeville and Elryia-Swansea, in Denver, CO. During the early 1900s, the area was home to foundries, pattern shops and industrial uses that helped drive the economic success of Denver. As industry moved out of the city's core in the late 1980s and 90s, the corridor was left with several vacant warehouses and a failing infrastructure. During this time artists began to populate the area as prices were very affordable and the area was fertile ground for arts, artists and creatives.

In 2004, local neighborhood leaders and the City of Denver began work on the River North Plan and ways to revitalize the area. In 2005, two local artists joined forces and created the River North Art District with the desire to create a creative community that would connect the artists who made the area their home. Now in its 10th year, the RiNo Art District has been instrumental in creating both a Business Improvement District (BID) and General Improvement District (GID) to support the neighborhood.

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 will soon visit and enjoy the RiNo Promenade. The panel is looking for artwork(s) that create a distinct connection to the natural world, while also recognizing the area’s unique industrial past. The panel is open to commissioning one site-specific artwork or several site-specific artworks to be integrated along the promenade. Works that demonstrate the connection between human activity and the natural environment, and tell the story of the place - geologically, socially and ecologically, are encouraged. Artworks should be pedestrian-scaled and enhance the experience of those who use and enjoy the RiNo Promenade. The selection panel is open to artwork in materials that are suitable for outdoor display and is specifically seeking three-dimensional works of art. Artists are asked to be mindful and respectful of the promenade’s functionality, its users, and the neighborhood and surrounding areas.

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. Finalists 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 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.

Eligibility
This project is open to artists who currently live and work in in the United States, 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. The selection panel is especially interested in artists who can demonstrate a deep understanding of the area’s history, landscape, and surrounding neighborhoods. Colorado artists, emerging artists, and artists working in media that is suitable for outdoor display are especially encouraged to apply.

Can a team apply?
Applicants may apply as a single artist or multi-person collaborative group.  If applying as a team, please submit one résumé for the team, with one page per team member.

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™). Applicants will also be required to fill out a short demographic survey that will be sent to the email on file via the Survey Monkey website.

From these applications, the selection panel will choose between three and five finalists who will create site-specific proposals and be brought in for an interview with the panel. Artists will be paid an honorarium for this work. Artists/teams selected as 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. Finalists will be expected to pay for travel expenses from the honorarium. From the interview and 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 design team when finalizing their designs for installation.

Diversity and Inclusiveness
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, 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. 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.

Budget
The budget for this commission is approximately $80,000.00 USD which will be allocated to the artist/team selected. These funds come from the City of Denver’s 1% for Public Art Ordinance resulting from the construction of the RiNo Promenade. 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.

Timeline
(Except for online application deadline, timeline is subject to adjustments)

Monday, May 27, 2019; 11:59 P.M. MST                 Deadline for entry (via CaFÉ™ system)
June, 2019                                                                     Finalist Selection
August, 2019                                                                 Artist Selection and Notification

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 RiNo Promenade selection panel is comprised of 13 voting members and additional non-voting advisors. The selection panel is responsible for reviewing the site, establishing criteria, writing a request for qualifications, reviewing applications, and selecting and interviewing finalists and identifying an artist for the commission. 

Selection Process
Between three and five artists/artist teams will be selected as finalists, depending on the number of qualified responses to the RFQ. Those selected will receive more specific information regarding the site and have the opportunity to meet with site representatives, the design team and public art staff.  The finalists will receive an honorarium to prepare and present the proposal in person. The selection panel will review the proposals, interview the finalists and recommend an artist for the commission. The final recommendation of the selection panel will be presented to the Public Art Committee, the Denver Commission on Cultural Affairs, and the Mayor of Denver 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—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 have the opportunity to upload up to two video files. Instructions on how to format images to CaFÉ™ specifications can be found at https://www.callforentry.org/uploading-images-audio-and-video-files/. Assistance in using the CaFÉ™ system is available here: https://www.callforentry.org/artist-help-cafe/. If an artist does not have access to a computer, s/he may call 720-865-5563 to make arrangements to use a computer at Denver Arts & Venues.

Statement of Interest—Please submit a statement outlining your interest in the RiNo Promenade Public Art project and why it is of special interest to you (2,000 character maximum) via CaFÉ™. 

Résumé—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 one to two pages per team member.

Survey--Applicants will also be required to fill out a short demographic survey that will be sent via the Survey Monkey website to the email on file from the CaFÉ™ application.
Please direct all questions about the project to Brendan Picker at brendan.picker@denvergov.org or 720-865-5563.

For more information on the RiNo Promenade, please visit: https://www.denvergov.org/content/dam/denvergov/Portals/747/documents/planning/River%20North/River-North-Promenade_publc-mtg2_2017-01-11_boards.pdf

And: https://www.wenkla.com/projects/river-north-promenade

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria