Behavioral Health Solutions Center Public Art Commission

The City of Denver's Public Art Program seeks to commission an artist or artist team to create original public artwork(s) for the Behavioral Health Solutions Center in Denver, CO. The project has an allocated budget of approximately $60,000 USD and is open to artists or artist teams residing in the state of Colorado. A nine-member selection panel of community representatives, arts and design professionals, and civic leaders will select the artist or team.

The newly renovated Behavioral Health Solutions Center, administered by WellPower, is situated in the Sun Valley neighborhood and provides specialized support and brief respite to Denver residents experiencing mental health crises, including extreme psychosis, manic episodes, suicidality, and housing instability. The selection panel has identified a preferred site for public art on the exterior of the building in the courtyard, particularly areas that support rest. Artwork should invite reflections of tranquility, peace, joy, and comfort. Artists are encouraged to consider biophilic and trauma-informed design strategies that support mental health through color, pattern, and subject matter. The panel is especially interested in artists who have relationships or lived experience with mental and behavioral health topics.

Artworks could be created using media such as paint and sculptural applications. Durability and ease of maintenance are important at this location. Artists must comply with specific design guidelines: avoid activating colors (blue or red), figurative works depicting human or animal eyes, highly textured or sharp surfaces, climbable structures, and portable or removable elements. Selected finalists will have the opportunity for site visits and to meet with the selection panel, WellPower staff, Denver Public Art staff, and Department of Transportation & Infrastructure members. Selected artists or artist teams will have the opportunity to receive resiliency training before on-site work and after project completion. Work sample requirements: 6-7 images and 0-1 video (6-8 total samples).