Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library Public Art Project

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 the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library located at 2401 Welton St. in the Five Points neighborhood of Denver, CO. A 12-member selection panel will select one artist or artist team for the allocated total budget of approximately $20,000 USD. The panel has identified several interior locations on Level One of the library for potential art opportunities.

This project is open to artists or artist teams residing in the state of Colorado. The selection panel is especially interested in artists who can demonstrate a deep understanding of the library's mission, the neighborhood, and the area's history and urban landscape, as well as creating work(s) in context with current social and cultural events. Artworks could be created using diverse media including, but not limited to, paint, sculpture, and mosaic applications. Works that are engaging and help to tell the story of the library, neighborhood and surrounding communities are encouraged. All applicants must consider long-term conservation and maintenance, and public art projects should be fabricated of highly durable, low-maintenance materials.

Applicants must submit six digital images of past work, a résumé, and a statement of interest (no longer than 2,000 characters) via www.callforentry.org. The selection panel will choose three finalists who will create site-specific proposals and be interviewed in-person. Artists will be paid an honorarium for this work. Based on the interview and proposal, an artist or artist team will be selected for the commission. The deadline is Monday, August 30, 2021, 11:59 pm MST.