Denver Zoo Guest Experience Hub Public Art Commission

The City of Denver's Public Art Program seeks to commission an artist or artist team to create original public artwork for the Denver Zoo's new "Guest Experience Hub." The artwork will be situated in a 1500 square-foot outdoor garden plaza inside the future Guest Experience Hub, which will include an event space, retail outlets, an experiential stage, and food outlets. The budget for this commission is $184,000.00 USD, which will cover all costs associated with the project including design fees, consultation fees, materials, fabrication, transportation, installation, and any building or site modification required.

The selection panel has set forth specific goals for this project: the artwork should be inclusive, accessible and welcoming to all visitors, with strong consideration for young children with disabilities; the panel is interested in artwork with an experiential or sensory element such as kinetic movement, sound, smell, or tactile elements; and artists are encouraged to consider Colorado's plants, topography, history, and uniqueness when submitting proposals. The selection panel is open to artwork in all media and materials suitable for outdoor display, with durability and ease of maintenance being important considerations. This artwork will become a permanent addition to the Denver Public Art collection and must be fabricated of highly durable, low-maintenance materials.

Applicants must submit six digital images of past work, a résumé, and a statement of interest (no longer than 2,000 characters) via www.callforentry.org. Three to five finalists will be selected to create site-specific proposals and participate in interviews. Finalists will receive an honorarium for this work. The deadline for entry is Friday, April 5, 2024 at 11:59 P.M. MST. Finalist selection is expected in May 2024, with artist selection and notification in July 2024. Eligibility is open to artists or artist teams residing in the United States.