The Urban Farm Public Art Commission

The City of Denver's Public Art Program seeks to commission an artist or artist team to create original public artwork(s) for The Urban Farm located at 10200 Smith Rd. in the Central Park neighborhood of Denver, CO. The selection panel has identified two outdoor locations within the farm property for potential artworks and will select one artist or artist team for the allocated total budget of approximately $100,000.00 USD.

The Urban Farm strives to provide opportunities for urban youth to engage in local food and agricultural systems. The farm operates on a 23-acre property and serves more than 22,500 individuals annually. The property is adjacent to the Sand Creek Greenway and near Denver's Central Park, on land historically inhabited by the Arapahoe, Cheyenne and Ute tribes. The selection panel is invested in cultural diversity, local history and sustainability, and seeks artwork(s) that reflect the rich cultures of the area, both current and historical. Artwork should be welcoming and interactive with an educational or agricultural focus, and may be playful and kid-friendly as well as functional. Artists should consider accessibility for visitors and staff, and consider incorporating a vertical element to promote visibility from within and outside the farm property. Any lighting or electrical needs should be solar- or wind-generated.

Artworks could be created using diverse media including paint, sculpture, and mosaic applications. Durability and ease of maintenance are important. All applicants must consider long-term conservation and maintenance, as these are permanent artworks in the public realm. Finalists are encouraged to consult with a professional conservator. The budget of $100,000.00 USD is inclusive of all costs including design fee, consultation fees, insurance, materials, fabrication, transportation, installation, and any other project costs. Prevailing wage requirements will apply for all work done on city property. Eligibility is open to artists or artist teams residing in the state of Colorado. Deadline for entry is Monday, August 29, 2022, 11:59 pm MST. Three finalists will be selected to create site-specific proposals and be interviewed in person or virtually, and will receive an honorarium for this work.