The Denver Zoo Public Art Project - The Edge

Denver Arts & Venues Public Art Program seeks to commission an artist or team of artists to create an original work of art for the redeveloped tiger exhibit known as The Edge at the Denver Zoo, located at 2300 Steele St, Denver, CO 80205. The selection panel has recommended a site-specific artwork to be designed, fabricated, and installed inside the new tiger exhibit. The panel is particularly interested in artworks that can be experienced in non-traditional ways by tigers. This commission is open to Colorado artists and artist teams working in most media, with a commission amount of $15,000 USD.

The Edge is located on almost a full acre on the southeastern edge of the Zoo and will bring guests closer than ever to the Zoo's Amur tigers. The exhibit features tiger yards at ground level, rounded connecting bridges allowing tigers to stride 12 feet over visitors' heads, and a perforated wall with small holes forming an artistic design that leads directly into the yards, six exposed inches from the 450-pound cats. The exhibit will increase the tigers' outdoor space by almost 50 percent and is tentatively scheduled to open to the public in late June 2016.

The selection panel is open to artworks made from a variety of materials including metal, wood, and rope. Artworks should be free-standing, somewhat durable, and can consist of permanent and temporary components. Interactive and kinetic projects are encouraged. The panel would like to see an artwork installed inside the tiger enclosure, as well as the possibility of another artwork that relates to this piece on the outside of the enclosure in the plaza leading up to The Edge. All applicants must consider maintenance and durability issues, as the project will be located inside a tiger exhibit exposed to outside stresses and possible modification by the tigers themselves. Zoo staff will have final approval for all materials being used within the tiger exhibit.

Applicants must submit six digital images, a résumé, and a statement of interest no longer than 2,000 characters via www.callforentry.org. From these applications, the selection panel will choose up to three semifinalists who will be brought in for an interview with the panel. If a formal proposal is requested, the artist will be provided an honorarium of $500 to prepare and present the proposal in person. Semifinalists will be required to submit a Diversity & Inclusiveness Form. Applicants may apply as a single artist or multi-person collaborative group. This project is open to artists who currently live and work in the state of Colorado. Emerging artists, student artists (over the age of 18), and those that have not received a public art commission before are encouraged to apply.