City of Fort Collins Public Art Project - Utility Administration Building

The City of Fort Collins, Colorado, Art in Public Places Program seeks to commission two Colorado artists or teams to work with the Utility Administration Building design team. Each artist will collaborate with the design team in developing site-specific art element(s) to be incorporated into a new building site. The project is open to Colorado artists and teams working in any media. The commission amount is approximately $180,000 USD for the exterior location and approximately $47,000 USD for the interior location.

The Utility Administration Building will be located at the northeast corner of Howes Street and LaPorte Avenue in Fort Collins. As the first building constructed within the recently master-planned Civic Center, it will be a significant addition to downtown Fort Collins. The building aspires to Net Zero energy and LEED Platinum Standards. The site was once the location of the Poudre Valley Creamery and its historic "Butterfly" building, which will be relocated on the site to be adjacent to the Downtown Civic Spine, a to-be-developed major north/south pedestrian route through downtown. The selected artist or team will work with the design team to develop art concepts that engage the community and communicate the educational message of Utilities. For the exterior location, options for art could include plaza design (seating, walkways, lighting, walls), both entryways into the building, or artwork attached to the building itself. For the interior location, art will be placed in the Main Lobby, possibly on a focal wall.

The call is open to artwork in all media and materials. All applicants must consider long-term conservation and maintenance of public art, along with timeline and budget. The work is intended to be a permanent addition to the City of Fort Collins and must be fabricated of highly durable, low-maintenance materials suitable for a public location subject to the elements and potential vandalism. Eligibility is limited to Colorado artists or artist teams who reside in Colorado and are legally authorized to work in the United States. The total contract amount is inclusive of all applicable costs, including consulting fees, design, insurance, engineering, travel, execution, transportation, site preparation, installation, and a project plaque. Finalists will be selected in February 2015. The selection committee may consist of APP Board members, representatives from the design team, and a City Purchasing Department representative. Final approval is required from the Fort Collins City Council. Applications must be submitted digitally via the CaFÉ online system and include an artist statement (1000 character maximum), current resume (maximum 2 pages), eight digital images of relevant work completed within the past ten years, and three references with contact information.