Central 70 Cover Park - Plaza Sculpture Art Commission

The City and County of Denver's Public Art Program seeks to commission an artist or artist team to create original public artwork(s) for the Central 70 Cover Park, located between Columbine and Clayton streets over Interstate 70 in Denver, CO. The selection panel has identified the central outdoor plaza in the park for artwork(s) and will select one artist or artist team for an allocated total budget of approximately $200,000 USD.

The Central 70 Cover Park is a four-acre park constructed over I-70 that will serve as an active, vibrant community asset with opportunities for sporting events, outdoor movies, concerts, and farmers markets. The park includes an amphitheater, walking paths, garden areas, a soccer field, splash pad, tot lot and playground. The proposed sculptural work site is in the central plaza, between the soccer fields and the outdoor amphitheater.

The selection panel is invested in cultural diversity, local history and community resiliency, and aspires to create gathering spaces that are inclusive, accessible and welcoming to all. Artwork(s) should reflect the rich cultures of the area, both current and historical, demonstrate a connection to the community, and be inspiring, inter-generational, innovative, and have an educational focus. The work(s) could be playful and kid-friendly as well as potentially kinetic. Artists should consider accessibility for all and could incorporate a vertical element to promote visibility from within and outside the park. Electricity to the site is not available; any lighting or other electrical needs should be solar- or wind-generated. Artworks could be created using diverse media suitable for outdoor display. Durability and ease of maintenance are important at this location.

This project is open to artists internationally. Applicants may apply as a single artist or multi-person collaborative group. Applicants will 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 virtually. Artists selected as finalists will be paid an honorarium for this work. Based on the interview and proposal, an artist or artist team will be selected for this commission. Entry deadline: December 15, 2022, 11:59 p.m. MST.