City of Denver: Columbus / La Raza Park Public Art Commission

The Denver Arts & Venues Public Art Program seeks to commission an artist or team of artists to create an original work of art for Columbus (La Raza) Park, located along West 38th Avenue between Osage and Navajo streets in Denver. The selection panel has recommended a mural be commissioned for the interior ceiling of the large pyramid-shaped gazebo at the center of the park. This commission is open to Colorado artists and artist teams working in all media, with a commission amount of $30,000 USD.

The park is roughly one square block in northwest Denver on the boundary of the historic Sunnyside and Highland neighborhoods. It features a playground, basketball courts, and the Aztec pyramid-shaped gazebo used for celebrations and community events. The park has a rich history dating to 1912 as North Side Playground and became known as Columbus Park in 1935, later called "La Raza" Park beginning in the 1970s. The neighborhood was the first home for multiple waves of immigrants to Denver and became a focal point for the Chicano Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s-80s.

The selection panel seeks a unique, one-of-a-kind artwork appropriate for the diverse community that utilizes the park. The mural should incorporate the spirit of the community and its distinctive history. Materials should highlight the serenity of the area and be highly durable and low-maintenance, as public art is exposed to weather, physical stresses, and potential vandalism. Lighting and an educational aspect are encouraged. This project is open to Colorado artists currently living and working in the state. Applicants must submit eight digital images, a résumé, and a statement of interest (no longer than 2,000 characters) via www.callforentry.org. The selection panel will choose one to three semifinalists for interviews. If a formal proposal is requested, the artist will receive an honorarium to prepare and present the proposal in person. The $30,000 budget is inclusive of all costs including design fees, consultation, insurance, materials, fabrication, transportation, installation, travel, and contingency. Prevailing wage requirements apply for all work on city property.