Request for Qualifications - University of Northern Colorado, College of Osteopathic Medicine

Qualifications are requested from artists interested in creating exterior artwork for the College of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado. Multiple artworks will be commissioned, and the total funding available is up to $840,000. The deadline for submission is May 19, 2025.

Qualifications are requested from artists interested in creating exterior artwork for the College of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado. Multiple artworks will be commissioned, and the total funding available is up to $840,000. The deadline for submission is May 19, 2025.

Project Description - About the University of Northern Colorado and the College of Osteopathic Medicine

Nestled between the Rocky Mountains and Colorado’s stunning high plains, the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) is a public, doctoral research and educational institution that is home to about 9,000 students and more than 200 undergraduate and graduate programs, many of which are nationally recognized. Founded as a teacher’s college in 1889, UNC has graduated generations of educators, more than any other Colorado university. UNC’s culture is marked by academic excellence in education, health sciences, business, the humanities and performing and visual arts. UNC is committed to supporting students and providing them with a high-quality education, hands-on experiences and a community where they can thrive. Recognized as a top university for social mobility, UNC is proud to be a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and to serve more than 42% of our undergraduates who are the first in their family to attend college. The university’s just-right size, expert faculty, and tradition of research and hands-on learning gives students exceptional opportunities and a personalized education.

The opening of the new College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNC COM) will be a historic milestone in UNC's legacy of educating society's future healthcare professionals. UNC COM will meet critical needs, change the lives of our neighbors and families, and open doors to students who will make a difference now and for generations to Colorado communities to come. UNC COM is committed to achieving its vision of being a national leader in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in medical education; positively impacting the physician workforce in Colorado and the High Plains region; graduating students who are highly regarded by fellow physicians, health care teams and patients; being an innovator in interprofessional medical education; preparing graduates for opportunities to practice in rural and underserved communities; and ensuring graduates understand the critical role the primary care physician plays in patient wellbeing. The program focuses on osteopathic philosophy, that human beings are a unit consisting of mind, body and spirit, and that physicians should approach their patients with this in mind.

The new building is located on a very prominent site at the intersection of UNC’s central and western campuses. The building was designed to fit into the fabric of the current campus design while moving UNC into the future. The building was mindfully located within the open site, with the consideration of how the facility could be a “good neighbor” to the immediate residential area and be perceived as a community asset. The building is set back from the street to create a community-facing, parklike space. Another side of the building has an additional courtyard space, with western views to the mountains to allow for potential extension towards the western part of campus. This courtyard has refined landscaping and native planting, with the goal of creating an outdoor gathering space. This landscaping also has planter beds with nodes that are potential art locations.

The building has active learning environments, large classrooms, and other flexible spaces to allow for various learning formats and practical skill applications; these include a simulation suite, skills lab, a technology-driven virtual anatomy space, a medical information center, and a room for osteopathic manipulative medicine. The building also has quiet study areas, staff and administrative offices, other gathering spaces and break-out rooms. The design of the building is intended to fundamentally support the program's goals of educating medical students at the start of their careers and creating the skills for working with patients. 

Budget: Up to $840,000

The budget covers 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. Budgets for the specific locations will be provided to the semifinalists.

Opportunities for Public Art

The committee is looking for artworks to address the potential locations for the exterior site around the new College of Osteopathic Medicine building. The committee is interested in multiple artworks from multiple artists; a total budget of up to $840,000 will be split between multiple commissions, in amounts to be determined. There is potential for a single artist to create artwork in multiple locations to create connections between locations. Due to the number of locations and budget size, not all locations will be chosen; final locations will depend on the type and strength of the submissions received.

The committee is interested in artworks that address what is happening in the building, with a focus on UNC COM program’s emphasis on holistic health and community care and wellbeing. The goal is for multiple artworks to activate the exterior of the building and draw in and welcome the community, creating an “outdoor gallery” experience. As maintenance is a top concern, the committee is not interested in kinetic or technology-based artworks, and materials should be able to withstand the weather (sun, wind, snow, etc) of northern Colorado.

Please see below for a description of each location:

• North Sculpture Garden - Located on the northwest of the building. Electrical will be available for this location.
• South Sculpture Garden - Located on the southwest of the building just to the south of the North Sculpture Garden area. Electrical will be available for this location.
• East Entrance Garden - Located to the east of the building along 11th Avenue. Electrical will not be available at this location.
• Bioswale -  Located to the south of the building. Electrical will not be available at this location.
• Community Park - Located to the north of the building. Electrical will not be available at this location. This location is the closest to the residential area near campus and is intended for use by the community, in addition to students and building users. Please note that this area has mature trees not reflected in the renderings that will be preserved. Artworks for this location will need to be able to be integrated into that existing landscape.

Please refer to the site plans and renderings at the end of the full RFQ document (provided by SmithGroup and not to be used without permission) for more information.

 The Selection Committee will 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:

• May 19, 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 in Greeley, Colorado) to the Art Selection Committee
• Fall 2026 - Building move in, targeted artwork installation

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 University of Northern Colorado 

About the College of Osteopathic Medicine

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.
• Location: Applicants will be asked to select the location or locations of interest for this opportunity.

All applicants must be residents of the United States and applications must have a US address. Artists from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities are encouraged to apply.