Bear Valley Park Public Art Commission

The City of Denver's Public Art Program seeks to commission an artist or team of artists to create an original public artwork or series of artworks for Bear Valley Park, located at 6802 E. Yale Avenue, Denver, CO 80224. An 11-member selection panel of community representatives, arts and culture professionals, and civic leaders will select one artist or artist team for this project. The budget for this commission is approximately $17,000.00 USD, which comes from the City of Denver's 1% Percent for Public Art Ordinance resulting from improvements made to the Bear Valley Park tennis courts.

Bear Valley Park is a linear park that runs east to west from Wadsworth Boulevard to Sheridan Boulevard, encompassing natural areas, soccer and ballfields, tennis courts, pickleball courts, exercise stations, a playground, and biking and walking trails. The selection panel has identified an area just south of the park entrance off West Dartmouth Avenue and East Reed Street as the preferred location for public art. The panel is interested in artwork that appeals to all ages, particularly younger audiences, engages multiple senses, and provides a tactile component. Artworks could be created using diverse media including paint, sculpture, and mosaic applications. Works that tell the story of the park, neighborhood, and surrounding communities are encouraged.

Eligibility is open to artists or artist teams residing in the state of Colorado. Applicants must submit six digital images of previously completed artworks, a résumé, and a statement of interest (no longer than 2,000 characters) via the CaFÉ online application system. There is no application fee. Three to five finalists will be selected and will receive an honorarium to prepare site-specific proposals and present them in-person or virtually. The final recommendation will be presented to the Public Art Committee, the Denver Commission on Cultural Affairs, and the mayor of Denver for final approval. All artwork must be fabricated of highly durable, low-maintenance materials suitable for outdoor display and permanent installation. The budget of $17,000.00 is inclusive of all costs including design fees, consultation fees, insurance, materials, fabrication, transportation, installation, and any other project-related expenses. Prevailing wage requirements will apply for all work done on city property.