Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo: Public Art Commission

Colorado Creative Industries' Art in Public Places program and the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo (CMHIP) seek to commission an artist or artist team for the creation of two-dimensional artworks for the new wing of the Robert Lee Hawkins Forensic Institute. This opportunity is open only to artists who are legal residents of Colorado. The total art budget is $25,000, inclusive of all costs including design fees, materials, fabrication, transportation, installation, and project documentation.

The new wing will add another patient housing unit with 22 beds, an additional day room, a quiet living area, and an outdoor courtyard. One section will be a high-security unit with 6 beds. Artwork should be soothing and therapeutic in nature, creating a nurturing environment. Realistic artwork at realistic scale is preferred over abstract styles. Artwork must reflect sensitivity to how colors, patterns, materials, and reflectivity impact patients and employees. The durability and safety of materials is critical, as artwork must be secure and cannot pose danger to staff or patients. Two-dimensional wall art is needed for day rooms with high ceilings and clerestory lighting, and for the quiet living space in the high-security unit.

The Selection Committee will consider artistic excellence, conceptual and thematic compatibility with the CMHIP community, safety of materials, and resistance to wear, vandalism, or theft with minimal maintenance requirements. Semi-finalist artists will receive $1,000 as an honorarium for design proposals. Applications must be submitted through CaFÉ by August 31, 2018 at 11:59 p.m. MDT and should include 6-8 digital images of previously completed artworks, a resume, and a statement of interest (750 words or less). Semi-finalists will be notified in October 2018 and invited to present proposals in November/December 2018. For more information, contact Ruth Bruno at 303-892-3813 or [email protected].