Public Art Project: City of Denver: Lena Archuleta Library 

Budget: Approximately $60,000 USD (2-10 artworks will be selected with this budget, so each submitted artwork must be under $30,000)

Eligibility: Open to artists or artist teams residing in the United States

Info Session Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/denver-public-art-pre-application-meeting-lena-archuleta-library-tickets-1964435284818

DEADLINE: Sunday, December 21, 11:59 pm MST

Goals: The selection panel members hope to directly purchase artworks from artists that speak to the spirit and intentions of the Lena Archuleta Library in Denver. The panel hopes to see artwork(s) that embody one or more of the following themes or descriptors:

Artwork that…

• Sparks curiosity
• Connects with the community, and is relevant to the people and the culture of Southwest Denver
• Feels like home
• Looks back to look forward; looks to the past to bring us to a better place in the future
• Speaks to the Immigrant experience
• Speaks to the American Indian experience
• Uses color! The building and the library are both very colorful, as is the community.
• Honors multiple generations – artwork that speaks to seniors, as well as youth
• “Weaves together” cultures present in the community
• Promotes hope and healing
• Speaks to children – integrates fun, joy, adventure!
• Honors Lena Archuleta’s legacy
  • intergenerational connectedness
  • empowerment through education
  • learning as a path to wellness
  • nurturing young minds
  • breaking barriers

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

Budget: Approximately $40,000.00 USD
Eligibility: Open to artists or artist teams residing in the United States
Info Session Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1860047324619?aff=oddtdtcreator
DEADLINE: Sunday, November 30, 2025, 11:59 pm MST

Goals: 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.

• 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.

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

Budget: Approximately $230,000.00 USD
Eligibility: Open to artists or artist teams residing in the United States
Info Session Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1860047324619?aff=oddtdtcreator
DEADLINE: Sunday, November 30, 2025, 11:59 pm MST

Goals: 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 will use the West Jewell Avenue Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge in Denver.

• The panel is interested in artworks that tie into themes of connectivity and movement and consider ways to unite the east and west sides of the bridge.
• The artwork should add color, celebration, and vibrancy to the area—transforming an industrial setting into a place that feels lively, welcoming, and inspiring.
• The panel is interested in artworks that incorporate elements of interactivity—through light, sound, movement, or other creative approaches that invite public engagement and create a dynamic experience.
• The panel encourages artists to learn about the Indigenous history of the area, as well as the more recent history of redlining and social and economic inequities. Artists are invited to consider how their work might thoughtfully, respectfully, and inclusively engage with these histories.
• The artwork should incorporate principles of accessibility and universal design, ensuring it can be experienced by people of all abilities, including individuals with visual impairments. The panel encourages multi-sensory cues and designs that exceed ADA minimum requirements.
• The panel encourages local and emerging artists to apply and welcomes a wide range of perspectives and creative voices and is interested in incorporating aspects of community engagement in the creation of the artwork.
• The panel invites proposals that respect the South Platte riparian ecosystem (bird-friendly lighting, dark-sky principles, limited glare for cyclists, and strategies that avoid disturbing bat/bird movement along the corridor).

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

Budget: Approximately $77,000.00 USD
Eligibility: Open to artists or artist teams residing in the United States
Info Session Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1860047324619?aff=oddtdtcreator
DEADLINE: Sunday, November 30, 2025, 11:59 pm MST

Goals: 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-Broadway Branch Library in Denver.

• The panel hopes to see artwork(s) that embody a sense of joy, safety and creativity.
• The artwork should consider ways to inspire people of all ages, abilities, and life experiences, including those facing homelessness or mental health challenges.
• Given the notable design of the original building, the panel is hoping for an artwork that can exist harmoniously with the historic architecture of the building, while still speaking to a contemporary audience.
• 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.

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

Budget: Approximately $90,000.00 USD
Eligibility: Artists or Artist Teams residing in the United States
Info Session Recording: https://youtu.be/yL8mk_1Ap2U
DEADLINE: Monday, December 1, 2025, 11:59 P.M. MST

Goals: The selection panel members have set forth goals and parameters for this public art project with the hope of creating unique and seamlessly integrated artwork(s) for those who visit the park. Artists who can demonstrate a connection to the neighborhood are encouraged to apply.

• The panel is interested in a series of pedestrian-scaled artworks that creatively tell the story of the site and surrounding neighborhood through the lenses of history, ecology and culture.
• The panel is interested in artwork that evokes joy and happiness and creates a sense of belonging. Different sensory experiences are encouraged.
• Plans for the park include creating spaces that emphasize health and wellness, and the panel sees an opportunity for the artwork to reflect these values.

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

Budget: $550,000 USD
Eligibility: Open to artists or artist teams residing in the United States
Info Session: Watch the recording here
DEADLINE: Monday, December 1, 2025, 11:59 P.M. MST

Goals:
The public artwork for the May Bonfils Stanton Theatre should be unique, inviting, and echo the cultural and architectural heritage of the Loretto Heights campus, while also addressing the needs and ambitions of the local community. The selection panel has outlined the following objectives:

• Honor the rich history of the Loretto Heights campus and the legacy of the May Bonfils Stanton Theatre as a hub for education, performance, and community engagement.
• Establish a visual link between the campus and the nearby Harvey Park South neighborhood, emphasizing the site’s role as a cultural landmark.
• Develop artworks that are bold and colorful, with a commanding presence both day and night, leveraging lighting creatively.
• Artwork should act as a welcoming symbol for all visitors, residents, and regional guests alike.
• Support cultural equity and accessibility, reflecting the racial and ethnic diversity of southwest Denver.
• Foster artistic methods that promote inclusion, connection, and a sense of belonging among the neighborhood’s multigenerational and multicultural populations.

Have you ever looked at the Big Blue Bear or the blue Mustang at the airport and wondered, “Who decided to put that there?” Answer: a selection panel made up of community members just like you!

The Public Art Program is seeking interested community members, artists, and arts professionals who live or work in Denver to be involved in this exciting process*.

Each Selection Panel is comprised of a minimum of eight voting members with additional members added depending on the scope of the project. It is the role of the voting panelists to make decisions as a group concerning the final selection of the artist or artist team.

Denver Arts & Venues is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in all our programs, initiatives, and processes. For this reason, we request demographic information as it is important that we ensure a diversity of voices are represented in our programs and decision-making committees. We value your time and offer an honorarium to our participants (excluding City employees and representatives from the Commission on Cultural Affairs). Thank you for sharing information about yourself.

*Participation in this survey does not guarantee you will be asked to serve on a selection panel.

• Sample Artist Contract
• Sample Art Budget
• Prevailing Wage Overview
• Helpful Websites for Artists
• Funding Sources for Individual Artists
• Public Art Program Guidelines for City Managers