City of Denver: Speer Boulevard Public Art Commission

The Denver Office of Cultural Affairs is seeking artists working in any medium, including sound, light, earthworks and interactive sculpture, for an original work of art in the area of the Speer Boulevard Bridge and surrounding environment. The selected artist will work with the design team to incorporate artwork into the park, with possibilities for functional integration, earthworks, and site-specific installation. Because of the high traffic and programming in the area, DOCA is looking for work that integrates into the landscape without being a stand-alone sculpture. Artists will be invited to find one or more locations that would suit their work best.

Approximately $88,000 is available for public art at this site, inclusive of all expenses related to the creation of the artwork, including design fees, consultation fees, insurance, materials, fabrication, transportation, installation, travel, per diem, and project documentation. A site visit and walk is scheduled for June 30 at 10:00 a.m. with the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs public art team. Please meet at the Downtown Children's Playground at Speer Boulevard and Wewatta Street.

Applications must be submitted online via www.callforentry.org by 5:00 p.m. MDT on July 10, 2009. Applicants must submit eight digital images of previously completed artworks, a statement of interest (500 words/2000 characters maximum), and a one- to two-page résumé. Artists working in kinetic, sound or media works must also submit a DVD of no more than five minutes. Up to five artists or artist teams will be short-listed as semi-finalists and asked to return for an interview or prepare a proposal. Semi-finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium to prepare and present proposals in person. The final artist(s) will be selected by a Project Selection Panel and require approval from the Public Art Subcommittee, Denver Commission on Cultural Affairs, and the Mayor. Artists are not required to have previous experience in public art; emerging artists are encouraged to apply.