Call for Submission of Sculpture for Permanent Installation in Benson Sculpture Garden

Benson Sculpture Garden, located at 2908 Aspen Drive in Loveland, Colorado, is a 10-acre public park that has showcased sculpture since 1985. The garden currently displays 183 pieces of sculpture on permanent display by world-renowned artists worth over $5 million, and has been recognized as "one of the 200 most important modern and contemporary art sites around the world" and "one of the 20 must-see contemporary art sites across the USA." The garden is open to the public year-round at no admission fee (except during the annual Sculpture in the Park Show and Sale in August) and includes handicap-accessible sidewalks, gardens, ponds, wetland features, public restrooms, and picnic areas.

The Loveland High Plains Arts Council is seeking life-size or larger pieces (5 feet or more) in bronze, stone, metal, or other durable, permanent materials that can withstand Colorado's year-round weather conditions and unsupervised public interaction. Pieces produced by reputable US facilities with a three-year warranty on workmanship, durability, and materials are preferred. All sculptures are professionally inspected, cleaned, and maintained annually. Artists may submit up to 3 different pieces, with each submission requiring a 1-2 page resume and 3 images (front, back, and side views). Pieces previously submitted or duplicated in permanent public locations within 60 miles of Loveland are not eligible.

The call is open to sculptors 18 years of age or older working in permanent media. The entry deadline is October 31, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. MDT. Final selection occurs December 31, 2023, with final approval by the City of Loveland's Visual Arts Commission in February 2024 and estimated installation in July 2024. The budget is set at $150,000 for one or more sculptures.