Triple Creek Trailhead Public Art Commission

The City of Aurora is seeking artists for a public art project at the Triple Creek Trailhead, which opened in 2019 providing access to the regional trail system at the convergence of Coal Creek, Senac Creek, and Sand Creek. The trailhead connects to the 71-mile High Line Canal and the Triple Creek Corridor Project's 14 miles of interconnected open space and trails. Two potential sites are available for art installation: Preferred Site One, located at the top of a hill with approximately a 12-foot diameter circle (excluding a boulder seating arrangement), and Preferred Site Two, located between trails and the parking access road, approximately 60 feet by 60 feet. Amenities including interpretive and wayfinding signage will be installed in 2026, with the completed artwork ideally installed by Fall 2026.

This is a regional call open only to artists residing in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, Kansas, and Nebraska. The public art project budget is $80,000, which includes design, project management, overhead, fabrication, transportation, installation, insurance, and other associated costs. Materials must be durable and appropriate for exterior applications in the Front Range climate, with temperatures ranging from sub-zero to over 100 degrees and exposure to snow, hail, wind, and extreme sun. Applicants must submit 8-10 images or videos of relevant work (no conceptual proposals), a professional resume not exceeding two pages, a statement of interest addressing why the project appeals to them and what access to nature means in an urban or suburban environment like Aurora, and a brief bio. Selection criteria prioritize artists comfortable working in the public sphere, with demonstrated experience creating exterior three-dimensional permanent works and working on projects with budgets of $45,000 or greater.

The selection process occurs in three phases. Phase One identifies the most qualified applicants, from which three finalists are selected. Phase Two provides each finalist with an $800 honorarium to participate in an optional site visit, develop a formal proposal, and participate in a virtual interview on August 4, 2025. Phase Three involves the Selection Panel recommending the selected applicant to the Art in Public Places Commission for approval, followed by a multi-level approval process culminating with City Council. Finalists will be notified the week of June 2, 2025, with the multi-level approval process completed by October 2025. Applications must be submitted through the CaFE System of Creative West by May 26, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time. Questions should be directed to [email protected].