RFQ: Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Fort Logan, G Wing Renovation

Qualifications are requested from artists interested in creating an artwork for the Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Fort Logan in Denver, Colorado. The total funding available is $78,000. The deadline for submission is May 5, 2025.

Project Description - About the Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Fort Logan

The Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Fort Logan (CMHHIFL) is one of two state psychiatric hospitals serving Colorado residents with acute mental illnesses and/or court-ordered inpatient restoration treatment. CMHHIFL supports hope, health and recovery through innovative, evidence-based and individualized patient care. 

CMHHIFL provides inpatient treatment to adult clients generally between the ages of 18 and 59. The hospital has 94 civil adult inpatient beds and 44 forensic beds. Medical, rehabilitation services (physical, occupational and speech therapy) and clinical programming are available to clients based on their treatment needs. This project will renovate the existing G Wing building to add an additional 16 beds. The facility will house forensic patients in a home-like environment while they undergo competency restoration as they move through an adjudication process. The building interior will have semiprivate and private rooms, a comfort room, a day room, dining area and a group room, and quiet activity room. A residential courtyard will have natural grass and hardscape for seating and the security fence for this area is mesh to allow for breeze and light to come through. Adjacent to the residential courtyard will be a fenced-in courtyard that patients will not be able to access, but will be able to view. Located between the residential courtyard and the building’s main entrance, this decorative courtyard has additional landscaping intended to provide visual privacy and also a connection to nature.

Budget: Up to $78,000

All costs associated with the commissioned public artworks, including, but not limited to, artist fee, insurance, materials, fabrication, transportation, installation, building or site modifications, including lighting, travel to and from the site, per diem expenses, project documentation, contingency to cover unexpected expenses and any other costs related to the project are covered by the budget. Budgets for the specific locations will be provided to the semifinalists.

Opportunities for Public Art

This facility of the Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Fort Logan is intended to provide a humanistic approach, rehabilitative and welcoming environment, and incorporating artwork into the building’s design is a key part of this. The committee is looking to commission an artwork or artworks for the decorative courtyard of the G Wing building. The goal is for this artwork or artworks to create an environment in this courtyard that is visually interactive, while also being peaceful. Artwork should be soothing and therapeutic in nature and create a nurturing environment where patients feel grounded. While this courtyard is not accessible to patients, the artist should still consider the durability and safety of the proposed materials. Water features or artworks with water components will not be considered. Please see the  images and plans in the Full RFQ document for reference.

 The Selection Committee will also consider the following:

• Artistic excellence 
• Scale, material, form and content
• Safety of materials
• Appropriate relationship to the function of the site
• Resistance to general wear, vandalism, or theft
• Ease of maintenance, minimal and low-cost maintenance

Selection Process and Schedule

The Art Selection Committee will review all complete and eligible submittals. A short list of semifinalists will be invited to prepare and present a final proposal in person and be paid an honorarium between $1,000 - 1,500. Final selection(s) will be made from the semifinalists’ proposals. The schedule is as follows:

• Monday, May 5, 2025 11:59 pm MST – Deadline for receipt of submission via CaFÉ™ system
• June 2025  – Selection committee meets to select semifinalists; all applicants notified of application status
• July 2025 – Artist presentations (in person) to the Art Selection Committee

Questions

If you require more information or clarification, please contact Ruth Wilson at 303-880-6671 or ruth.wilson@state.co.us.
 

Additional Information

About the Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Fort Logan
 

All applications for this project are being accepted through the online platform, CaFÉ™ (www.callforentry.org). No hard copy or emailed submissions will be accepted. The applicant will be asked to submit digital images of art, a resume, and a brief statement of interest. There is no application fee to apply or to use the CaFÉ™ online application system. If you need assistance in using the CaFÉ™ system, please refer to this Help for Artists webpage. You can also reach out to them via this Contract CaFÉ™ Support form or email cafehelp@wearecreativewest.org.

• Digital Images: In order to be considered for this project, the applicant must electronically submit, via the CaFÉ™ system, no less than six (6) and no more than eight (8) digital images of previously completed artworks. 
•  Resume: Submit a current résumé, via CaFÉ™, that outlines professional accomplishments as an artist.
•  Statement of Interest: A statement of interest of 250 words or less must be submitted via CaFÉ™. It should briefly outline the interest in the specific opportunity. 

All applicants must be residents of the United States. Artists from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities are welcome to apply.