Call Detail
Public Artist-In-Residence Program
Visit Organization Website
Contact Email: lgood@fcgov.com

Entry Deadline: 2/23/22
Application Closed
Work Sample Requirements
Images | Minimum:Min. 1, Maximum:Max. 8
Video | Minimum:Min. 0, Maximum:Max. 2
Total Samples | Minimum:Min. 1, Maximum:Max. 10
Call Type: Residencies
Eligibility: Regional
State: Colorado
Budget: 50,000

The City of Fort Collins, Colorado, Art in Public Places Program (APP) along with the City of Fort Collins Utilities Department are seeking proposals from artists/artist teams for the City's inaugural Public Artist-in-Residence program. We believe that artists offer unique, innovative, and powerful perspectives on telling the story of our Utilities Department. The intent of this program is to create a 12-month residency in which an artist/artist team collaborates with the City of Fort Collins Utilities Department to help communicate the departmental mission and the vital yet often overlooked essential services the Utilities Department performs 24/7, 365 days a year. Artist/artist teams are required to submit a written, general proposal for their approach to the residency and the selected artist/artist team will work with the project team to fully develop the final residency plan with more specific outcomes.

Project Description

City of Fort Collins Utilities are community-owned utilities that manages four essential services for the City of Fort Collins—Light & Power, Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater—serving more than 75,000 customers. While utility services are often considered basic needs, there is nothing basic about providing high-quality, reliable services year-round. In addition to focusing on safety in all processes and the well-being of our employees, our values include teamwork, resiliency, positive attitude, and reliability. Outstanding customer service is reflected in our operations: 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and always to the highest standard. Our innovation and sustainable practices ensure the best outcomes for the City organization and our community. 

To learn more about the Utilities Department, please visit: www.fcgov.com/utilities

The artist/artist team will have the opportunity to develop concepts with the Utilities Project Team and propose new temporary or permanent artworks, performances, publications, etc. The residency is open to Colorado artists/artist teams residing within 75 miles of the City of Fort Collins. Artists can work in any media, but their practice should involve strong community engagement and collaboration. Any outcomes, whether they be artworks, performances, publications, etc., will align with the ideas and practices, mission, and messaging of City’s Utilities Department. The program outcomes will reflect the artist’s unique talents to promote greater connectivity and understanding between the Utilities Department, its services, and the greater Fort Collins community.

The residency will last up to one year. It will include an initial six-month immersion/development period when the artist will meet regularly with key Utilities Staff and APP Project Managers to better understand the needs of the department and help formulate residency outcomes. The immersion or project development period will culminate with a formal project proposal, required to be approved through the APP process. The residency will allow up to six additional months to implement the project, install or perform artwork, etc. The residency will close at the end of one year or at the completion of the installation or performance, etc., whichever comes first. While they establish their relationship with the Utilities Department and develop project outcomes, artists/artist teams must be available to spend time in Fort Collins and in virtual meetings. We estimate an average 10 hours of weekly work throughout the six-month development stage of the residency. From there, time spent in Fort Collins will depend on the nature of the project. The artist/artist team will have a design contract with the City of Fort Collins during this phase.

The artist will work collaboratively with APP and Utilities Project Team throughout the process and should have an interest in exploring utilities-related topics, sustainable practices, and working with the communities of Fort Collins. The selected artist/artist team will be required to submit monthly progress reports to the APP Project Manager and Utilities Project Team.

Media

All media will be considered (sculpture, musical concert, performance, installation, publication, etc.). 

Budget

The total contract amount for all applicable expenses, which includes all fees, but not limited to artist design fee, community engagement, execution, transportation/travel expenses, site preparation, and installation, and deinstallation of all temporary artworks/performances, as well as a project signage and documentation, shall be an approximate amount up to $50,000.

Selection Process

A selection committee may consist of members of the APP Board, the City’s Utilities Department, and a City Purchasing Department representative. The committee will review application materials and select finalists. Finalists will be interviewed. 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/artist team 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.

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 through the APP process.

Application Materials to be Submitted

Application Requirements

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

 1. A 5,000 character letter of intent describing your interest and your proposed approach to the residency and Utilities Department’s goals described in this request. Please describe the medium(a) you would use. Please also describe your art and any past residencies or projects that lend insight into your fit for this residency.

2. Current resume (max. 2 pages) outlining your professional accomplishments as an artist/artist team. 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 and/or residencies.

In addition to the above materials please choose the following Work Samples:
Six to eight (6-8) digital images and/or up to two (2) videos of relevant performance work. Must be completed within the past ten years.

Please be sure this information is included with your Work Samples: Artist names, title, date, media, dimensions, location, cost, and description of the artwork of the artwork.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility

This project is open to Colorado artists/artist teams residing within 75 miles of the City of Fort Collins, who are at least 18 years of age and legally authorized to work in the United States. Artist/artist teams must be able to work effectively and collaboratively with the Utilities Department Project Team to further develop their initial proposal into a final proposal.