Request for Qualifications - Dobson Arena Public Art Commission

The Town of Vail, Vail Recreation District, and Black Cube Nomadic Art Museum seek to commission large-scale public artworks for the Dobson Arena in Vail, Colorado, as part of the Dobson Arena Remodel Project. The artworks will be sited in up to 5 prominent locations throughout the highly trafficked building complex. The total budget for this project is approximately $273,000, distributed across all commissions. Built in 1979, the Dobson Arena is one of the largest multi-purpose ice facilities on Colorado's Western Slope and serves as a hub of athletic and cultural activity, open year-round to the public for hockey, figure skating, broomball, concerts, conferences, and fundraisers. The remodel began in April 2025 and is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete, with an anticipated reopening at the end of September 2026.

Potential artwork locations and preferred mediums include: South Entry walls (2D low-relief and mural works), West Entry vestibule (light-based suspended sculpture), South Lounge stairwell (suspended sculpture work with possible integration of railing), Exterior (outdoor sculpture, possible interactive element), and additional site(s) to be determined. All artworks must be appropriately durable for an active indoor sporting facility and outdoor mountain environment. Selected artworks should exhibit a high level of artistic quality, craft, and originality, respond to and enhance the architectural renovation, and consider flow, sightlines, egress, and the building's dynamic use by athletes, musicians, performers, guests, and residents.

Applicants must submit a letter of interest (one page maximum), resume, portfolio of 8-10 images or videos of recent work with descriptive captions, and at least three professional references with contact information. Eligibility requirements: 18+ years of age, based in the United States, Canada, or Mexico, experience creating site-specific works in public space, ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders and project managers, strong knowledge of materials and techniques appropriate for highly trafficked public spaces, and proven experience managing projects from design to installation. The RFQ deadline is November 9, 2025, 11:59pm MT. Finalists will be invited to submit RFPs by November 21, 2025, and will receive a $500 fee for their proposal. For questions, contact [email protected].