McCandless State Veterans Nursing Home Public Art Commission

The Colorado Council on the Arts, Art in Public Places Program and the McCandless State Veterans Nursing Home seek to commission site-specific public artwork for the facility located in Florence, Colorado. The artwork will be located on the grounds outside the facility, with several opportunities for both two and three dimensional pieces at the entryway. The art should recognize the dedication of heroes of our country and evoke the spirit of caring.

The McCandless State Veterans Nursing Home is situated on 67 acres with views of the Sangre de Cristo and Wet Mountain ranges and Pikes Peak. The 110-bed facility includes four wheelchair-accessible courtyards, a large covered patio, and a recreation area with a gazebo, picnic area and playground. The welcoming entryway includes a concrete plaza, three flags, grass, pine trees and plantings. The public art could be a free-standing piece, enhance the entry lattice support, or be embedded in the walkway. The artwork needs to have a presence, help with wayfinding, and be durable and enduring.

This project is open to Colorado artists only who work on projects similar in size and scope to this commission. Artists with a current project with the State are not eligible. A total art budget of $14,500 is available for all related expenses including artist fees, fabrication, insurance, shipping, travel, installation, documentation, etc. Up to three artists will be chosen as semi-finalists and will receive a small honorarium to develop the concept for the artwork. Semi-finalists will be notified August 15, 2010, with interviews in October 2010 and installation in early 2011. Applicants must submit 6 digital images of previously completed work, a resume, and an artist statement of no more than 2,000 characters through the CaFÉ application system. There is no application fee.