Hellems Arts and Sciences Building Public Art Commission

The University of Colorado Boulder is seeking qualifications from artists interested in creating public artworks for the Hellems Arts and Sciences Building renovation project. The main building was constructed in 1921 and is part of the campus's Norlin Quadrangle Historic District. The renovation will address the 95,000-square-foot building with health and safety improvements, accessibility upgrades, and energy-efficiency enhancements targeting a LEED Gold rating. The project aims to create inclusive, welcoming spaces with new "sticky spaces" for lingering and collaboration, including an accessible entry on the quad-facing side and light wells on the west side.

The committee is seeking multiple artworks from multiple artists with a total budget of up to $255,000 to be split between commissions. Available opportunities include wall-mounted artworks and one ceiling-hung location. The building cannot accommodate three-dimensional sculptural artworks on floors. The committee is particularly interested in artworks reflecting the University's goals of inclusiveness and accessibility, addressing CU Boulder and the area's history including land acknowledgement, relating to the departments in the building, and language-based artworks. Five specific opportunities are available: Opportunity 1 is a wall in the first-floor entry space; Opportunities 2A-2C are multiple walls at the east wing entrance; Opportunities 3A-3B are hallway walls in the office wing; Opportunity 4 is a ceiling and two-floor volume space in the new entrance/student area; and Opportunity 5 includes stairs at each of the four quadrants of the building.

Submissions must include digital images of art (6-8 samples), a resume, and a brief statement of interest through the CaFÉ online platform. The selection committee will review submissions and invite semifinalists to prepare and present final proposals in person, with honorariums between $1,000-$1,500. Final selections will be made from semifinalists' proposals. The deadline for submission is September 26, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. MDT. For more information, contact Ruth Wilson, Public Art Program Manager, at 303-880-6671 or [email protected].