Indigenous Public Art at CALU Park - Commerce City

The City of Commerce City and the Commerce City Cultural Council are seeking to purchase two-dimensional artwork from Colorado artists, or artists who reside in the Colorado Region (Colorado and neighboring states of Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona). Indigenous local and regional artists will be prioritized in the selection. The artwork will be installed in the education garden area of the new CALU Park in Commerce City, CO.

CALU Park is a new two-acre community park nestled between the Buffalo Highlands neighborhood and the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge, just south of E. 96th Avenue. The park's name honors the region's Indigenous heritage, representing the Cheyenne, Arapahoe, Lakota, and Ute tribes who originally inhabited the land. The dedicated public art space is circular and 10 feet in diameter (75.5 square feet). Artwork must be two-dimensional and flat to the ground, as it will be installed in a floodplain and cannot cause an obstruction or impediment to flood flows.

The art selection committee seeks artwork that honors and celebrates the tribes mentioned in the park's name. Artists should have historical knowledge about each tribe and their cultural arts to incorporate significant themes. The artwork should celebrate the natural history of the area, Commerce City community and unity, evoke joy and delight, and have a pleasing and uplifting effect on those who see it. It should be appropriate for all ages to enjoy. The total art budget is $19,000, inclusive of all costs including artist fees, artwork, and installation. Applicants must submit a maximum of five digital images of artwork and an artist statement through www.callforentry.org by April 17, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. MST. There is no application fee. For questions, contact Melissa Sumner at [email protected].