REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

Public Art Project: Ross-University Hills Branch Library
Budget: Approximately $40,000.00 USD
Eligibility: Open to artists or artist teams residing in the United States
DEADLINE: Sunday, November 30, 2025, 11:59 pm MST

Introduction

Denver Public Art seeks to commission an artist or artist team to create original public artwork(s) for the Ross-University Hills Library, in the University Hills neighborhood of Denver. The goal of the project is to commission artwork that brings the library to life and fosters a welcoming, engaging environment where all generations can learn, connect and explore together.

The commission amount for an artist or artist team is approximately $40,000.00 USD.

A selection panel of community representatives, arts and culture professionals and civic leaders has been assembled to identify art opportunities and to select and recommend an artist or artist team for this project. The panel is seeking artists who work in mediums suitable for indoor display for this project.

Denver Public Art is hosting a virtual pre-application meeting for interested applicants on Thursday, November 20th, at 5 p.m. (MST) via Zoom. The meeting will cover project background and goals, and the application process for this Request for Qualifications (RFQ). Attendees will also receive information via CallForEntry.org, through which artists may apply.  Interested applicants are asked to register to receive information on how to join prior to the event. If you cannot attend, a recording will be available on the Denver Arts & Venues Vimeo channel.

Land Acknowledgement 

We acknowledge that the land on which Denver’s Public Art Collection works stand; land where we stand, live, and learn is the traditional territory of the Ute, Cheyenne, and Arapaho Peoples. We also recognize the 48 contemporary tribal nations that are historically tied to the lands that make up the state of Colorado. Our nation was founded upon and continues to enact exclusions and erasures of Indigenous Peoples. May this acknowledgement demonstrate a commitment to dismantling ongoing legacies of oppression and inequities, as we intentionally honor and celebrate the Indigenous communities in our City and express our gratitude for their ongoing and significant contributions. Let’s not forget that this land was theirs long before we made it ours.

About the Ross-University Hills Library 

One of four “Ross” library branches in Denver, dedicated to real estate investor and library commissioner Frederick Ross, the Ross-University Hills Library was built in 1962, serving the University Hills neighborhood of Southeast Denver. As the neighborhood grew in the post-war years, the Ross-University Branch Library underwent a renovation and expansion in 1995. The new building was designed by Architect Michael Brendle, who also led the 1993 remodel of the Ross-Cherry Creek Library. The architecture is characterized by a Postmodern aesthetic and open, light-filled interiors. Today the Ross-University Hills Branch Library is a busy hub of the University Hills neighborhood, hosting a range of public programming, offering a wide selection of books and digital media and complete with a beloved children’s area where kids can read, play and connect. Community members say that the library is a welcoming and inclusive environment, where one can meet and engage with neighbors, while learning something new. Families appreciate hands-on play areas and programming such as Toddler story time, Lego Club, Teen Space and treasure hunts, while older generations can hold community meetings, learn tech skills and more. As one library user reflected “We come to the library not just to learn, but to connect, discover, relax and belong. It’s a safe, welcoming haven for my curious kids and me – a place to spark wonder, share stories, and feel at home in the world outside our usual bubble.”  

Goals, Site, Media & Materials 

The selection panel members have set forth specific goals and parameters for this public art project with the hope of creating unique and inspiring works of art for the communities that use the Ross-University Hills Branch Library in University Hills, Denver.

Goals: 

• The panel hopes to see artwork(s) that enhance the inviting, comfortable and cozy interiors appreciated by library patrons.
• Artists are encouraged to consider ways to encourage a sense of wonder and play among library patrons.
• The panel welcomes applicants who exemplify the collaborative spirit of the public art process and are open to working with library patrons and community members.

Artwork Site 

The panel has identified a couple interior spaces suitable for artwork, including a large wall visible from both floors, but are open to exploring other interior options with selected finalists.  Finalists will have the opportunity for a site visit as well as meetings with community members, library staff and technical experts to ask specific questions about potential sites prior to finalizing proposal presentations.

Media & Materials 

The panel is looking for artists who work in mediums suitable for indoor display. Durability and ease of maintenance are also important at these locations.  Some mediums of particular interest to the panel are mosaic, fiber art, sculpture, printmaking, photography, painting and mixed-media works.

Maintenance, Durability & Accessibility

This artwork will become a permanent addition to the Denver Public Art collection. All applicants must consider the issues of long-term conservation and maintenance of public art, along with time and budget. These projects are in the public realm and will be exposed to physical stresses, as well as be subject to potential vandalism. Public art projects should be fabricated of highly durable, low-maintenance materials. Finalists are encouraged to consult with a professional conservator prior to the submission of a final proposal. Artist proposals awarded contracts will be reviewed by the City of Denver’s Public Art Committee to ensure conformity with city standards of maintenance and durability, as well as Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. All finalists are expected to stay on budget and to complete their work in an approved timeframe.

Budget 

The budget for this commission is approximately $40,000.00 USD which will be allocated to the artist/team selected. These funds come from the City of Denver’s 1% for Public Art Ordinance resulting from the renovation of the library. This contract amount is inclusive of all costs associated with the project including, but not limited to: the artist’s design fee, other consultation fees such as structural engineering, insurance (including Colorado Workers Compensation), tools, materials, fabrication, transportation, installation, any building or site modification required, travel to and from the site, per diem expenses, project documentation, contingency to cover unexpected expenses, and any other costs. For all work performed on city property, prevailing wage requirements will be applied.

Timeline 

November 30, 2025: Deadline for entry (via CaFÉ™ system)
January 2026: Finalist Selection
March 2026: Finalist Presentations
April 2026: Selected Artist or Artist Team Notification

Note: This artwork must be installed and finalized by Dec 31, 2027.  Please ensure you can meet this deadline before applying.

Project Selection Panel 

According to Denver’s Public Art policy, the project selection panel plays an active role in the acquisition of public art for the City and County of Denver.  The Ross-University Hills Branch Library art selection panel is composed of 10 voting members and additional non-voting advisors. The selection panel is responsible for reviewing the site, establishing criteria for a request for qualifications, reviewing applications, selecting and interviewing finalists, and selecting an artist or artist team for the commission.

Selection Process 

1. Three to five artists/artist teams will be selected as finalists. Those selected will receive more specific information regarding the sites and have the opportunity to meet with community members from the art selection panel, Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, and Denver Public Art Program staff. The finalists will receive an honorarium to prepare the proposal and present it in person or virtually.
2. The selection panel will review the proposals, interview the finalists, and recommend an artist/artist team for the commission.
3. The final recommendation of the selection panel will be presented to the Public Art Committee, the Denver Commission on Cultural Affairs, and the mayor of Denver for final approval.

*All decisions of the City and County of Denver are final.

Please direct all questions about the project to:
Lauren Hegge, Public Art Program Administrator, lauren.hegge@denvergov.org, 720-505-0494.

Application Requirements

Applying for these opportunities 

In response to this RFQ, applicants will be asked to submit the following items via www.callforentry.org (CaFÉ™).

1. Six digital images of past work
2. Résumé
3. Statement of interest (no longer than 2,000 characters)

From these applications, the selection panel will choose three to five finalists who will create site-specific proposals and be interviewed in person or virtually. Artists will be paid an honorarium for this work. Artists/teams selected as finalists will be required to submit a Diversity & Inclusiveness Form for their proposals to be considered, which will be provided upon notification. As directed by Executive Order 101, this form must be submitted for all city solicitations of proposals. Denver Arts & Venues Public Art Program staff can provide guidance on filling out this form.

Based on the interview and proposal, an artist or artist team will be selected for this commission. The selected artist or artist team will coordinate with Denver Public Art Program staff, Denver Parks & Recreation (DPR), and the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) when finalizing their designs for installation.

Materials to be Submitted 

Please read this section carefully. Incomplete applications will NOT be considered. The applicant’s name must appear on all materials submitted.

All materials must be submitted online, via the CaFÉ™ website (www.callforentry.org). There is no application fee to apply or to use the CaFÉ™ online application system.

Digital Images

To be considered for this project, the applicant must electronically submit six digital images of previously completed artworks through the online CaFÉ™ system. Artists who wish to submit kinetic, sound, or media works must submit a complete CaFÉ™ application and will have the opportunity to upload one video file.

IMPORTANT: If submitting audio or video files, do not use them as your very first image. They must be submitted last in your image sequence.
Instructions on how to format images to CaFÉ™ specifications can be found at https://www.callforentry.org/uploading-images-audio-and-video-files/ . Assistance in using the CaFÉ™ system is available here: https://www.callforentry.org/artist-help-cafe/ .

If an artist does not have access to a computer, s/he/they may call 720-865-5576 to arrange to use a computer at Denver Arts & Venues.  

To request this RFQ in an alternate format (such as Braille, large print, or accessible electronic format) please contact DisabilityAccess@denvergov.org

Statement of Interest

Please submit a statement (2,000-character maximum) outlining the following:

• Why the Ross-University Hills Branch Library project is of interest to you.
• How does your artistic practice align with the project goals listed in this call?
• Your general design philosophy and experience working on public art projects.

Résumé

Submit a one to two-page current résumé via CaFÉ™ that highlights your professional accomplishments as an artist. Please name your résumé file accordingly: Last name.First initial (i.e. Smith.J.pdf). Résumés that are more than two pages will not be downloaded. If applying as a team, please submit one résumé with no more than one page per team member. 

Survey

Applicants will also be required to fill out a short demographic survey that will be part of the CaFÉ™ application.

References

Applicants who are selected to be finalists will be required to provide three professional references.

Eligibility Criteria

Who May Apply

This project is open to artists residing in the United States. Denver Arts & Venues is committed to building a public art collection that represents a broad diversity of artists and encourages applicants from historically marginalized and underrepresented communities, including artists who identify as Black, Indigenous, Latino/x, People of Color (BILPOC), people with disabilities, and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersexual, asexual, Two-Spirit+ (LGBTQIA2S+) communities. Denver Arts & Venues also encourages applicants at various stages in their careers and applicants that practice a variety of artistic disciplines.

Can a team apply?

Applicants may apply as a single artist or multi-person collaborative group. If applying as a team, please submit one résumé for the team with no more than one page per team member.