Peoria Crossing Public Art Commission

Arts & Venues Denver is seeking an artist or artist team for a site-specific public art commission for the Peoria Crossing project, a bridge to be constructed at Peoria Street and E. 37th Avenue in Denver, CO. The selection panel has recommended a free-standing or integrated artwork for the site. This commission is open to all artists and artist teams working in all media. The commissioned artist or team will be invited to collect personal stories from the community to shape their final proposal, with a strong desire from the selection committee that the project invites community involvement and participation. The estimated budget for artwork is $113,000 USD, inclusive of all expenses related to creation, including lighting if proposed.

Peoria Crossing is a new six-lane bridge that will be constructed to bypass railway traffic from Union Pacific and the future East Rail Commuter Line (opening 2016). The bridge will link Denver and Aurora, providing access from Denver's Montbello neighborhood to the future RTD Peoria Station and connections to I-70. The bridge includes a 14-foot wide pedestrian pathway and a new frontage road on the east side. Freestanding artwork opportunities lie within Denver's jurisdictional boundaries near the bridge's approach at the southeast end of E. 39th Avenue and Peoria Street or within the plaza area on the northeast end of E. 37th Avenue and Peoria Street. Additional opportunities lie within the structure of the bridge, including abutments and approach walls.

Applicants must submit eight digital images, a résumé, and a statement of interest of no longer than 2000 characters via www.callforentry.org. The selection panel will choose one to three semi-finalists for interviews. If a formal proposal is requested, the artist will receive a $1000 honorarium to prepare and present the proposal in person. Semi-finalists are expected to pay travel expenses from the honorarium. The selection panel is open to three-dimensional artwork in all media and materials, including kinetic or light-based media. All materials should be highly durable and low-maintenance. Artists are not required to have previous experience in public art. Single artists and multi-person collaborations are eligible to apply.