Denver Arts & Venues Requests Qualifications for Two New Denver Public Art projects: Denver Zoo and Green Valley Ranch Recreation Center

Denver Arts & Venues is now accepting qualifications for two new Denver Public Art projects: Denver Zoo – Guest Experience Hub, and Green Valley Ranch Recreation Center – exterior artwork.

“Both the Denver Zoo and the Green Valley Ranch Recreation Center are so beloved to the communities they serve,” said Hannah Leathers, Denver Public Art program administrator. “These new Public Art projects are great opportunities for artists to create new works that will become icons for their respective locations, and celebrate the uniqueness of two very different hubs of recreation and joy.”

Denver Zoo – Guest Experience Hub. Budget: Approximately $184,000. Open to artists or artist teams residing in the United States.
The Denver Zoo has been in operation for 127 years and serves nearly 2 million people per year. This new Denver Public Art piece will be located at a new “experience hub” mid-way through the zoo, which will include retail, kitchen and dining, and an experiential stage. Proposed artworks for this commission should be inclusive, accessible and welcoming to people of all abilities, with special consideration for young children and zoo visitors with disabilities. Artworks might have an experiential or sensory element such as kinetic movement, sound, smell or tactile elements. Artists should consider the plants, topography and history of Colorado. Interested artists may submit qualifications at https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=12985 through Friday, April 5, 11:59 p.m. MST.

Green Valley Ranch Recreation Center – exterior artwork. Budget: Approximately $118,000. Open to artists or artist teams residing in the United States. 
The Green Valley Ranch Recreation Center serves all generations of residents, and acts as a community hub for members of the local community. This new Denver Public Art commission will serve as a landmark or icon for the neighborhood. When submitting proposals, artists should consider the diversity and intergenerational nature of the people who use the recreation center and live nearby, as well as exploring themes of diversity and belonging. Artists who have relationships with the Green Valley Ranch area are encouraged to apply. Interested artists may submit qualifications at https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=12986 through Friday, April 5, 11:59 p.m. MST.

Denver Public Art is also hosting a virtual pre-application meeting on Tuesday, March 12, 5:30 p.m. MST for interested applicants. The meeting will cover project backgrounds and goals, and the application process for this Request for Qualifications. Attendees will also get information on CallForEntry.org through which artists may apply. This event will be hosted on Zoom. Interested applicants are asked to register on Eventbrite to get information on how to join prior to the event.

More information on these and other Denver Public Art calls is available at www.DenverPublicArt.org/For-Artists/#opportunities.