City of Loveland LFRA Fire Station 3 Public Art Commission

The City of Loveland Art in Public Places is accepting Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) for an artist or artist team to create unique exterior public artwork for the new Loveland Fire Rescue Authority's Station 3 in southwest Loveland. LFRA's Station 3 will be a 15,000 square foot, one-story, 24/7/365 career firefighter station serving 187 square miles and over 109,000 people. Construction is anticipated to start in mid to late 2024 with completion estimated in late 2025 or early 2026.

The selected artist/artist team will be responsible for identifying sites for integrated artwork, interpreting the history and functions of Fire & Rescue services, and incorporating feedback from user groups. Exterior artwork only may be placed on the building, driveway, courtyard, plaza, or around the exterior entryway. Preferred themes include the natural environment and wildlife (potentially drawing from the 2020 Cameron Peak wildfire), unique characteristics of fire-related duties, the lives of fire personnel, and memorials honoring firefighters or showing healing from burn scars.

Eligibility is open to professional artists residing within a 150-mile radius of Loveland, Colorado. The project budget is $85,500, which must cover design, fabrication, insurance, installation, travel, contingency, and all incidental costs. Applications must include a preliminary statement of approach, a minimum of 5 and maximum of 10 images of fabricated and installed public artwork completed within the past five years, professional resumes highlighting similar outdoor commissions and sculpture installations, and 3 professional references. Up to three finalists will be selected to present design concepts and will each receive a $1,500 honorarium. The finalist presentation is scheduled for Thursday, August 1, 2024. The awarded artist/artist team will enter into a contract with the City and must carry $1 million general liability insurance.