City of Loveland Fire Stations 7 and 10 Public Art Commission

The City of Loveland Art in Public Places is accepting Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) for an artist to create unique exterior works of public artwork for Fire Station 7 and Fire Station 10, located within the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority boundaries. Artists may be considered for one or both projects.

Fire Station 7 is located in the foothills along N. CO Road 27 near the Big Thompson Canyon. Following the station's destruction during the 2013 flood, a historic fire siren was recovered from the site. Fire staff would like to incorporate the siren into a public artwork display to tell the story of how the flood impacted the community, its response to the disaster, and how the community bounced back. The siren measures approximately 5 x 3 feet. The total budget for Fire Station 7 artwork is $36,800.

Fire Station 10 is located on Ronald Reagan Blvd in Johnstown and opened in October 2022. The community room and training center is dedicated to showcasing the history of the 140-year-old Bartholf Hose Company's antique hose cart. There is a desire to feature visuals of firefighters in period-correct uniforms and equipment from 1883-1910. Artwork will be displayed indoors in front of an 8-foot-high window and must be clearly visible from the outside at night. The total budget for Fire Station 10 artwork is $62,600.

The selected artist will be responsible for identifying sites for integrated artwork, interpreting the history and functions of Fire & Rescue services, and maximizing the Art in Public Places monies by capitalizing upon existing resources. Artwork may reflect the nature environment and elements, particularly wildlands and wildlife. The project timeline is flexible with a desired final completion date by summer 2025.

Applications must include: a preliminary statement of approach demonstrating experience with similar projects; a minimum of 5 and maximum of 10 images of fabricated and installed public artwork completed within the past five years (no more than 2 images per project); professional resumes highlighting similar outdoor commissions and sculpture installations; and three professional references. Up to three finalists will be selected to present design concepts and will each receive a $1,500 honorarium. The awarded artist must carry general liability insurance of $1 million and may not install a similar project within a 60-mile radius of the installation site. The project is open to professional artists residing within a 150-mile radius of Loveland, Colorado.