The City of Fort Collins, Colorado, Art in Public Places Program (APP) is seeking submissions to invite artist/artist team to develop art proposals for the Gardens on Spring Creek Temporary Art Installation Project. The intent of this project is to create a 6-8-month temporary art attraction at The Gardens on Spring Creek, the community botanic garden of Fort Collins, Colorado. The selected Artist/team will work with the project team to develop the timeline, final art concept for the site, and will collaborate with the team to ensure care of the natural environment that will host the art piece(s). Artists/teams are required to develop and submit a written concept for the temporary art installation. The art project budget is estimated at $17,000.

Project

The Art in Public Places Program of Fort Collins, Colorado, is requesting proposals in an open competition for artists or artist teams to create a temporary art attraction at The Gardens on Spring Creek, the community botanic garden of Fort Collins, Colorado. The artwork will be on display for 6 – 9 months and will be installed by June 2021. To learn more about The Gardens on Spring Creek, visit fcgov.com/gardens.

The goal of this project is to create a unique art experience at The Gardens on Spring Creek to further The Gardens vision of being a world class botanic garden that is community oriented, educational, experiential, and sustainable; and to support its mission of enriching the lives of people and fostering environmental stewardship through horticulture. The project is looking for artists who can create exciting exterior artwork that enhances the gardens natural beauty, promotes it as a place of healing and respite, and inspires guests and the community. The resulting installation can be a unique site-specific art installation or a unique display of existing art piece(s). The proposal can be for one large-scale work or a series of pieces that are located at multiple locations within the gardens.

This will be the first art exhibit on site since reopening the facility with 5 new acres of gardens in 2020. Eight concrete sculpture pads are scattered around The Gardens and may be utilized for this project. Please see the attached map depicting the garden layout and existing sculpture pads.   The selected Artist/Teams must be able to work effectively and collaboratively with the project’s team selected by the City of Fort Collins to further develop their initial proposal to a final design proposal, which will be subject to approval.

Safety & Durability—Design must consider that the work will be situated in a secure public location and subject to the elements and potential vandalism. Artist must work with the team to ensure respect of the natural environment that will host the art piece(s).

Eligibility

This project is open to artists/artist teams who are at least 18 years of age, and legally residing in and authorized to work in the United States. Artist/Teams must be able to work effectively and collaboratively with the project’s team selected by the City of Fort Collins to further develop their initial proposal to a final design. Artists can propose existing or new works.

Media

All media appropriate to the project will be considered. All applicants are expected to consider the issues of conservation and maintenance of public art, along with timeline and budget. The work is intended to be a temporary addition to the City of Fort Collins Gardens on Spring Creek. Design and installation must consider that the work will be situated in a secured public location, and subject to the elements and potential vandalism.

Budget

The total contract amount for all applicable expenses, which includes all fees for consulting with the project team, the design, execution, transportation, site preparation, and installation and deinstallation of all artworks selected as well as a project signage, shall be an approximate amount up to $17,000. This figure will also include any travel expenses.

Selection Process

A selection committee may consist of members of the APP Board, the project team, and a City Purchasing Department representative. The committee will review application materials and make a final recommendation. The selection committee reserves the right to reject any or all entries at any time in the review and selection process. The APP Board gives final approval.

Selection Criteria

1. Technical Competence of artist and suitability of the proposed concept to the project, as demonstrated in letter of intent and resume.

2. Artistic Excellence, as demonstrated in digital images and references.

Contract

Upon selection and final design approval, the artist must complete a contract with the City of Fort Collins. All finished work shall be faithful to the drawings, design, and concept as approved by the Project Team/APP Board.

Application Materials to be Submitted

Please submit one (1) copy of the following materials:

1. A 5,000 character letter of intent describing your interest in this project and a description of your proposed temporary art installation (include materials, scale, concept, etc.) Please also describe any past similar public art projects.

2. Current resume (max. 2 pages) outlining your professional accomplishments as an artist. Team resumes can either be 2 pages for the team or one page per team member. Please do not include images on resume.

3. Three (3) References: Names, professional titles, phone numbers, and email addresses of three references who can speak to your experience as an artist and past public art projects.

In addition to the above materials please also submit:

Four to eight (total) digital images:

a. Of proposed work, if you are proposing existing work

b. Or a rendering of the proposed project and images of relevant work completed within the past ten years.

Please be sure this information is included with image files: Artist names, title, date, media, dimensions, location, and cost of the artwork.

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria