Downtown Denver 16th Street Mall Public Art Commission

The City of Denver is seeking artists to create public art for the 16th Street Mall, Denver's premier public space and one of the world's longest pedestrian and transit malls. The selection panel is looking to commission artwork that will serve as beacons or gateways to the City of Denver and draw visitors to the Mall. Artworks should enhance the experience and engage multiple senses, harnessing tactile, light, and/or sound components. Ground space on the Mall is limited and must remain open for public activity; therefore, works that utilize vertical, overhead, or other space-conserving strategies are encouraged. The selection panel is open to artwork in all media and materials suitable for outdoor display, but is not looking for two-dimensional artwork. Artists are asked to be mindful and respectful of the Mall's functionality, programs, and users.

The 16th Street Mall is currently undergoing extensive redevelopment with construction set to begin in 2022. The redesign will enhance the pedestrian and retail experience, grow the tree canopy, consolidate amenity zones, and create larger, more accessible areas for people of all ages and abilities. The Mall serves approximately 20,000 pedestrians per day and attracts more than 1.5 million visitors annually. More than 100,000 people work within two blocks of the Mall, and it is directly connected to seven light rail lines and three commuter rail lines.

This project is open to all artists internationally. Applicants may apply as a single artist or multi-person collaborative group. Applicants must submit six digital images, a résumé, and a statement of interest no longer than 2,000 characters via www.callforentry.org. The selection panel will choose three to five finalists who will create site-specific proposals and be interviewed in a virtual format. Selected finalists will receive an honorarium for this work. The final selected artist or artist team will work with the Public Art Program staff and the Downtown Denver 16th Street Mall design and executive teams when finalizing their designs for installation. All applicants must consider long-term conservation and maintenance of public art, with projects fabricated of highly durable, low-maintenance materials. The commission's budget is $700,000.00 USD, allocated to the selected artist/team and inclusive of all project costs including design fee, consultation fees, insurance, materials, fabrication, and transportation.