Colorado 150 Pedestrian Walkway: Request for Qualifications

Qualifications are requested from artists interested in creating an artwork for the Colorado 150 Pedestrian Walkway. This project, led by the Office of Governor Polis, is a visionary project connecting the Capitol Complex to Lincoln Veterans Park in Denver, CO. The project is dedicating up to $2 million for the commission of multiple artworks. The deadline to apply is April 1, 2025.

Qualifications are requested from artists interested in creating an artwork for the Colorado 150 Pedestrian Walkway. The project is dedicating up to $2 million for the commission of multiple artworks. The deadline to apply is April 1, 2025.

About the Colorado 150 Pedestrian Walkway 

The Colorado 150 Pedestrian Walkway, led by the Office of Governor Polis, is a visionary project connecting the Capitol Complex to Lincoln Veterans Park in Denver, CO. Celebrating and commemorating Colorado's 150th anniversary, this pedestrian walkway will be a highly functional structure of public art that serves as a unique narrative canvas, weaving the state's rich heritage into a safe and vibrant pathway landing into Lincoln Veterans Park. 

The project will be a private-public partnership, with History Colorado acting as the fiscal agent, and the Department of Personnel and Administration’s Public-Private Partnership (P3) office office contracting with the design and construction team. The walkway aims to be as inclusive as possible, engaging artists from across the state to tell Colorado’s cultural, civic, and industrial history. It showcases Colorado’s past while looking toward the future.

Funding & Storytelling

The Colorado 150 Pedestrian Walkway is a true Public-Private Partnership (P3) project, funded partially by the state and through a private capital campaign. The P3 office has invested the first $1.5 million for concept, design, and community engagement. The walkway will tell the civic, cultural, and iconic stories of Colorado, but will also focus on the industries that make Colorado Colorado. From manufacturing to agriculture, aerospace to biotech, Colorado’s industries fuel our economy, employ our citizens, and give back to the community in so many ways. At this time, there are about 20 industry, cultural, and civic narratives collected to highlight portions of Colorado’s bright history. 

Over the next three months, the Governor’s Office, in partnership with History Colorado, will convene industry leaders, associations, chambers, and businesses in all sectors to tell their stories and contribute to this iconic walkway. These industry dollars will also help tell the cultural and civil rights stories of Colorado through art pieces throughout the walkway in addition to a percentage going to support the 150/250 Commission’s statewide community grant fund. 

Audience

The audience for artist projects will be broad and include Colorado students, visitors and tourists, patrons of the Capitol building, and all Coloradans.

Opportunity for Art

Up to 20 artists or artist teams will be selected to create projects depicting or celebrating one of Colorado's historical narratives. All historical narratives and narrative categories will be pre-determined by the Governor’s Office and History Colorado. Up to $2 million is dedicated to the public arts spending for this project, including design stipends and the final budgets for each artwork. Budgets for artist projects will be allocated on a case-by-case basis, prioritizing the specific needs of the artists.

The selection committee, made up of seven voting community members and four non-voting members who will act as an advisory resource for the group, will select artists to create public artwork for this pedestrian walkway. The selection committee will base their decision on the following submitted application materials including a resume or CV, artist statement and work samples, outlined below.

Creatives of all mediums are encouraged to apply, including but not limited to, visual artists (steel, bronze, carpentry, mural/painting, illustration, etc.), literary arts, musicians, lighting specialists, vocalists, digital artists, etc.

Timeline

The ideal completion for the walkway will be August 2026. The artist selection process will be complete by June 1st, and we expect to begin the design process in the Summer of 2025.  

• February 3, 2025 - Artist Call Opens
• April 1 at 11:59 pm MST - Artist Call Closes
• May 2025 - Finalists will be notified and declinations sent
• June 2025 - Selected artists will be announced

Please review this Colorado 150 Pedestrian Walkway information sheet for more information on the project, including concept images, FAQs, and links to other resources. For additional questions, please reach out to Ruth Wilson (ruth.wilson@state.co.us).

All applications for this project are being accepted through this website (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. Assistance in using the CaFÉ™ system is available during regular business hours by calling 303-629-1166, 1-888-562-7232, or email cafe@westaf.org.

The selection committee will base their decision on the following submitted application materials: 

• Resume or CV: Submit a current résumé or CV, via CaFÉ™, that outlines professional accomplishments as an artist.
• Statement of Interest: A statement of interest of 500 words or less must be submitted via CaFÉ™. It should briefly outline the interest in the specific opportunity.
• Digital Portfolio 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 ten (10) files of previously completed artworks. Applicants may submit up to two (2) video files and up to two (2) audio files as part of their total uploads. Please ensure that the type of work sample/file upload is relevant to the adequate review of your work.

All applicants must be residents of Colorado. Exceptions will be made for artists living outside of Colorado if they are affiliated with a tribe with ties to the land that is currently Colorado. If you live outside of Colorado and fall under this exception, please contact Ruth Wilson (ruth.wilson@state.co.us) prior to applying to ensure awareness of your application. Artists from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities are encouraged to apply. Existing public arts experience is not required for this call for entry.

Creatives of all mediums are encouraged to apply, including but not limited to, visual artists (steel, bronze, carpentry, mural/painting, illustration, etc.), literary arts, musicians, lighting specialists, vocalists, digital artists, etc.

Please view The Governor’s Office Accessibility Statement for more information on how to submit feedback or request accommodations