21st Annual Art on the Streets

Art on the Streets celebrates the power of art in public places, turning the streets of Downtown Colorado Springs into a yearlong outdoor sculpture gallery. More than 300 artworks have been exhibited Downtown since the program began in 1998, and the district is home to more than 50 permanent works, over 30 of which have been purchased through Art on the Streets. Up to 12 artists will be selected to exhibit.

Selected artists each receive a $2,000 honorarium plus two nights of complimentary lodging in Colorado Springs—one night during installation and one during the exhibition's Launch Party event. Additional awards include a $10,000 Juror Award, $2,500 Second Place Juror Award, $1,000 Third Place Juror Award, and $1,000 People's Choice Award. Artists are chosen through a jury process in which artistic quality serves as the primary criterion. Secondary criteria include installation, maintenance and safety concerns, and diversity of works. All works will be evaluated for stability by a structural engineer. While sculpture tends to dominate entries, other types of public art suitable for outdoor experience are encouraged, including murals, interactive, and multimedia works.

Downtown Colorado Springs is an urban environment with works accessible to the public 24/7. Artists should consider Colorado weather, which can include extreme sun, strong winds, freezing/moisture, and temperature fluctuations. Art on the Streets welcomes proposals for larger and site-specific installations, including interactive, temporary, or multimedia work. Selected artwork will be exhibited throughout the 40-square-block Downtown district, with the majority clustered in the busiest 10- to 15-block core. Special sites are available for murals, the Transit Gallery at the Downtown Transit Center, The Art of Accessibility at the Independence Center, and the Alleyway Activation with suspended wire grid. Installation occurs May 20-31, 2019. The exhibit opens June 6, 2019, and closes May 2020.