23rd Annual Art on the Streets (Public Art Exhibit)

Art on the Streets celebrates the power of art in public places, turning the streets of Downtown Colorado Springs into a yearlong outdoor gallery of sculpture, mural, performance and installation works. More than 300 works have been exhibited Downtown since AOTS began in 1998, and the district is home to more than 50 permanent works, over 30 of which have been purchased through AOTS.

For the 23rd annual exhibit, 12 artists will be selected by a three-member jury panel. The primary criterion for selection is artistic merit. Secondary criteria include installation logistics, maintenance and safety concerns, and inclusion of a diverse range of media and perspectives. All works will be evaluated for stability by a structural engineer. While sculpture tends to dominate the entry pool, other types of art suitable for outdoor display are encouraged, including murals as well as interactive and multimedia works. Art on the Streets also has the ability to work with artists on larger and/or site-specific installations.

Works should be suitable for placement in a setting that is accessible to the public 24/7 and subject to extreme sun, strong winds, freezing/moisture, and rapid fluctuations between hot and cold. Special opportunities include mural sites throughout the Downtown area and the Transit Gallery at the Downtown Transit Center, which will feature two pieces selected through a partnership with Mountain Metro Transit. Mural proposals may reference specific priority sites or be submitted for consideration for any available site. For the Transit Gallery, jurors will give special consideration to works that reference mobility or include an interactive component.

Selected artists receive a $2,000 honorarium, two nights of complimentary lodging (one for installation and one to attend the exhibit opening reception), and are eligible for awards including a $10,000 Juror Award, $2,500 Second Place, $1,000 Third Place, $500 Honorable Mention, $1,000 People's Choice Award, and $1,000 Social Impact Prize. Up to $1,500 in opportunity grants are available for artists who belong to underrepresented demographics including women, nonbinary individuals, artists who are Black, Indigenous or people of color, and artists with disabilities. Reasonable installation expenses are covered by Art on the Streets, including additional labor and equipment needs as specified in the installation plan.

Entry fee is $25.00. Submission deadline is February 10, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. MST. Selection notification will be sent March 12, 2021. Installation occurs May 17-28, 2021, with the exhibit opening reception and presentation of Juror Awards on June 3, 2021. The exhibit ends in May 2022. International artists are eligible. Each artist may submit up to 10 applications with 1-3 images per application.