The Art of Sustainable Water

This is a public art opportunity through a partnership between Aurora Water and Aurora's Art in Public Places Program to raise public awareness about contemporary water issues and solutions. The project seeks a dynamic public art experience that will inspire thought, provoke discussion, and elicit a call for action. The art installation will serve as a point of reference for Aurora Water's extensive education programs, which reach thousands of students annually through in-classroom presentations, field trips, teacher workshops, and youth water festivals. The installation should incorporate One Water messaging—the concept that combines different aspects of water such as raw surface and groundwater, drinking water, wastewater, stormwater and reuse water into a single framework for a more holistic viewpoint.

The sculpture site is located at Sand Creek Park near a large picnic shelter, which can serve as an excellent venue for education programs. The park spans over 100 acres at the confluence of the Sand and Toll Gate Creeks, just north of the Fitzsimons Light Rail Station. The site is part of an extensive and well-used trail system accessible by foot, bicycle, bus, light rail, and car. Materials must be durable and appropriate for exterior applications within the Front Range climate of Colorado, with temperatures ranging from sub-zero to over 100 degrees and exposure to snow, hail, wind, and extreme sun.

The public art project budget is $200,000, which includes design, project management, overhead, fabrication, transportation, installation, insurance, and any other associated costs. Applicants must submit 8-10 images or videos of relevant work (no conceptual proposals), a professional resume not to exceed two pages, a statement of interest, and a brief bio. Applicants must be U.S. residents and should have demonstrated experience creating exterior three-dimensional permanent works, working on projects with budgets of $100,000 or greater, and understanding of contemporary water usage issues. Finalists will be notified October 1, 2024, with virtual presentations on November 13, 2024. The artwork is desirably to be completed and installed by Spring 2026.