Public Artist-In-Residence Program

The City of Fort Collins Art in Public Places Program and the City of Fort Collins Utilities Department are seeking proposals from Colorado artists or artist teams residing within 75 miles of Fort Collins for a 12-month Public Artist-in-Residence program. The residency aims to create collaboration between artists and the Utilities Department to communicate the department's mission and essential services (Light & Power, Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater) serving more than 75,000 customers.

The residency includes an initial six-month immersion and development period during which the artist will meet regularly with Utilities staff and project managers to understand departmental needs and formulate outcomes. This period culminates in a formal project proposal requiring approval through the APP process. The residency allows up to six additional months for project implementation, artwork installation, or performance. Artists should expect approximately 10 hours of weekly work during the development stage, with additional time in Fort Collins depending on the project nature. All media will be considered, including sculpture, performance, installation, and publication. The total contract amount is approximately $50,000, covering artist design fees, community engagement, execution, transportation, site preparation, installation, deinstallation, signage, and documentation.

Eligibility is limited to Colorado artists or artist teams at least 18 years old and legally authorized to work in the United States, residing within 75 miles of Fort Collins. Applicants must demonstrate strong community engagement and collaboration in their practice and be able to work effectively with the Utilities Department team. Application materials include a 5,000-character letter of intent, current resume (maximum 2 pages), three professional references, and six to eight digital images or up to two videos of relevant work completed within the past ten years.