Emergency Homeless Shelter Public Art Commission

The City of Denver's Public Art program seeks to commission a Colorado artist or artist team to create a site-specific public artwork at the newly-renovated Emergency Homeless Shelter located at 4330 E. 48th Ave. in Denver. The successful artist or artist team will be asked to consider the challenges of shelter guests experiencing homelessness and approach this project with empathy for them. Artists applying must be comfortable interacting in the space with or alongside guests. Engagement with guests through workshops or other means of participation is welcomed during artwork development.

The Emergency Homeless Shelter is a 40,000 square foot facility that provides emergency overnight shelter for 500 people experiencing homelessness. The facility operates from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. with supervised security. The selection panel welcomes artists who can create artwork that provides an "oasis" of comfort for guests, softening the space and providing peace, relaxation and hope. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional artwork in all media, materials and formats are eligible, including paintings, murals, kinetic art, and suspended artwork. Possible locations include the Administrative Area, Great Room, and Sleeping Area.

Eligibility: Artists residing in Colorado, regardless of background. Emerging artists are encouraged to apply. Budget: $40,000 USD, inclusive of all project costs including design fee, materials, fabrication, transportation, installation, and travel. Applicants must submit six digital images of previous work, a résumé, and a statement of interest (no longer than 2,000 characters) via www.callforentry.org. Between three and five finalists will be selected to create site-specific proposals. Finalists will be required to submit a Diversity & Inclusiveness Form. Selected finalists will receive an honorarium and are expected to pay travel expenses from it. Entry Deadline: April 22, 2019 at 11:59 p.m. MST.