National Western Center Main Campus Plaza Public Art Commission

The City of Denver's Public Art Program seeks to commission an artist or artist team to work with the National Western Center (NWC) Campus Plaza design team to explore public art opportunities in the Main Campus Plaza. The selected artist or artist team will help finalize designs for the plaza and create public artwork(s) for the site, collaborating with the National Western Center design team and Denver Public Art Program staff. The commission amount is $750,000 USD.

The Main Campus Plaza extends from Bettie Cram Drive north through the site and is bordered by the Western Stock Show Association's Legacy Building on the east and Colorado State University's Animal Health building on the west. The plaza is considered a "flexible space" where both service access and activity programming will vary throughout the year. The location provides opportunities for a variety of artworks including three-dimensional, ground and pavement-based works, sound, light, projection, text-based, and technology-based works. Surrounding building and infrastructure façades may also offer art opportunities. Large scale sculptural installations must account for the plaza's flexible functionality.

Works that demonstrate an authentic connection between human activity and the land, and tell the story of the place—historically, agriculturally, socially and ecologically—are encouraged, as are projects that include direct community involvement. The art selection panel is searching for artists who can work well within a team environment and can research and reflect a deep understanding of the site and the vision for its future. All applicants must consider long-term conservation and maintenance of public art. Artworks should be fabricated of highly durable, low-maintenance materials suitable for outdoor display. This project is open internationally to artists regardless of race, color, creed, gender, gender variance, sexual orientation, national origin, age, religion, marital status, political opinion or affiliation, or mental or physical disability. Submission requires 8 images and up to 2 videos. Event dates: 2/11/19 - 3/9/20.