Aurora Animal Shelter – Exterior Project

The City of Aurora, CO is seeking exterior artwork(s) for the new Aurora Animal Shelter that will establish it as a welcoming and recognizable community landmark. The artwork may include murals, sculptures, or a combination of both, designed to enhance the building's visibility and presence within the neighborhood. Possible locations include the Entry Plaza, Adoptable Cats Wing, Adoptable Dogs Wing, Southeast Corner of Visitor Parking Lot, North of Visitor Parking Lot, and West of Main Entrance. The exterior artwork(s) will serve as a point of pride for the community, reflecting the shelter's role as a place of compassion, hope, and connection, and have the potential to serve as a backdrop for adoption-day photos and "selfie spots."

The public art project budget is $150,000.00, which includes design, project management, overhead, fabrication, transportation, installation, insurance, and any other costs associated with the project. Materials must be durable and appropriate for exterior applications within the Front Range climate of Colorado, with temperatures ranging from sub-zero to over 100 degrees and exposure to snow, hail, wind, and extreme sun. This is one of three RFQs for the Animal Shelter; artists may apply to one or more opportunities.

Applications must include 8-10 images/videos of relevant work (no conceptual proposals, renderings, or AI images), a professional resume not to exceed two pages, a statement of interest, and a brief bio. Open only to artists who reside in the United States and its territories. Three finalists will be selected and each will receive a $1,500 honorarium to participate in an optional site visit, develop a formal proposal, and participate in a virtual interview. Finalists' virtual presentations are scheduled for January 27, 2026, with multi-level approval process completion targeted for February 2026.