RTD West Rail Line Commissioned Art Opportunities

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) of Denver, Colorado is seeking commissioned artwork for four stations on the FasTracks West Rail Line, a 12.1-mile light rail line between the Auraria Campus in downtown Denver and the Jefferson County Government Center in Golden. The line will serve Denver, Lakewood, the Federal Center, Golden and Jefferson County.

Four stations are available for commissioned art: Knox Station ($50,000 budget), Lakewood-Wadsworth Station ($100,000 budget), Garrison Station ($50,000 budget), and Jefferson County Government Center-Golden Station ($125,000 budget). Each station has specific preferred artwork locations detailed in the call, including concrete walls, stairwells, and plaza areas. Artwork must be structurally sound, durable, low-maintenance, and able to withstand Colorado's weather conditions. Artwork cannot interfere with pedestrian movement, safety, security, or train operations, and any use of electricity or water must be approved prior to contract award.

This is an open competition for professional artists residing in the United States. Teams of artists may apply. Artists may apply for multiple stations. The selection process has two phases: finalists will be selected by the West Rail Art Committee based on application materials, then finalists will prepare proposals and be interviewed. Selection criteria include professional qualifications, proven ability to undertake similar projects, artistic merit, impact on transit customers, connection to site and community, appropriateness for site, durability of materials, resistance to vandalism, and maintenance requirements. Applicants must submit eight digital images of previously completed artworks and a statement of interest (maximum 2000 characters) outlining interest in the project and relevant experience. Artists submitting kinetic, sound, or media works must also submit a DVD of no more than five minutes. There is no application fee.