RFQ: Community College of Denver, Boulder Creek Health and Science Building

Qualifications are requested from artists interested in creating exterior artworks for the Boulder Creek Health and Science Building at the Community College of Denver. The total funding available is up to $96,000. The deadline for submission is Monday, July 14, 2025

Qualifications are requested from artists interested in creating exterior artworks for the Boulder Creek Health and Science Building at the Community College of Denver. The total funding available is up to $96,000. The deadline for submission is Monday, July 14, 2025.

Project Description - About the Community College of Denver & the Boulder Creek Health and Science Building

In 1967, the Colorado legislature created CCD, with classes commencing in North Denver, then three years later in a renovated auto showroom close to the Civic Center. In 1975, the College moved to the 150-acre Auraria Higher Education Center campus in downtown Denver.

Originally the site of the 1858 frontier town of Auraria, the campus has the oldest-standing structure in Denver — the former Temple Emmanuel (now Emmanuel Gallery), an exhibition space for student and faculty artwork. Situated along the west bank of Cherry Creek, CCD is also the only community college in the nation to share a campus with two four-year universities — Metropolitan State University of Denver and University of Colorado - Denver. Together the three institutions share classroom buildings, a fully accessible health center, a regional library, recreational facilities, a performing arts center and a student union.

CCD promotes excellence in teaching, learning, and service to a diverse community and enrolls more than 10,000 students annually. Among the student population, 92 percent are Colorado residents, more than 30 percent are Latinx, more than 50 percent self-identify as underrepresented, and our international students represent more than 40 nations. The College offers more than 100 degrees and certificates in transfer and occupational education, and CCD’s core classes are guaranteed to transfer to Colorado public colleges and universities. 

The renovation and addition to the Boulder Creek building will create a single facility to house the Community College of Denver’s (CCD) Health Sciences programs. The building is prominently located on Colfax Avenue on the edge of the Auraria campus. Positioned between 9th and 10th Streets in front of the light rail station, the building has a unique opportunity to serve as a gateway into the area and to further distinguish CCD as one of three important institutions sharing the campus. The existing building will be fully renovated, and a new 9,484-square-foot addition will be constructed on the southeast side of the building. This project will house the departments of Dental Hygiene, Health and Wellness, Nursing, Phlebotomy/ Medical Assisting, Radiologic Tech, Surgical Tech, and Vet Tech. 

The building will feature seven general classrooms to be shared amongst all departments. Several large breakout spaces will be situated along the corridors to provide students with areas to study, work, or take a break. A separate student café also provides an opportunity for students to step away from their lab spaces. The new addition will primarily house the faculty office suite, with faculty break area and open office space for adjunct employees. Another major component of this project is the site design, which prioritizes community connection, improves multimodal circulation, and enhances safety for users. It is organized into four distinct areas: the plaza steps, façade improvements, private courtyard, and planting improvements. 

Budget: $96,000

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. 

Opportunities for Public Art

The committee is looking for multiple artworks for the exterior of the Boulder Creek Health and Science Building. There are two targeted locations for artwork - the exterior of the main entrance and a large wall on the southeast side of the building along a main thoroughfare, Colfax Avenue , and abutting a light rail route on campus. The committee is open to the same artist addressing both locations or to the possibility of two artists creating artworks for the project (one per location). Both locations have prefinished formed metal wall panels, prepped to receive vinyl graphics. Artist should take into account anti-graffiti and other longevity considerations. 

The main entrance location will be an area of metal paneling surrounded the door entryway. This location is an opportunity to create an inviting artwork honoring CCD’s past, present and future. Auraria campus has a rich cultural history and the committee would love this location to reflect that, as well as giving CCD more of a presence on campus. The planned metal paneled area for this location is approximately 1200 SF total (split 560SF on the east wall and 640 SF north wall).

The wall entrance along the southeast side of the building is a great opportunity to create an identity and recognition of the Community College of Denver’s presence on campus for both those passing by in cars or on the public transportation, as well as for students and other campus users and visitors. CCD’s takeover of the Boulder Creek building will be a permanent and lasting transition, so the hope is to make this visible on the exterior. As the building will house healthcare programs, the goal is for the exterior artworks on this side wall location to address the programmatic work and type of learning that is happening within the building. The approximate square footage of the metal panelled area in this location is 740 SF.

 The Selection Committee will also consider the following:

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

Please refer to the Additional Materials section at the end of the full RFQ document for renderings of each location and an elevation of the southeast wall location. 

Selection Process and Schedule

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

• Monday, July 14, 2025 11:59 pm MST – Deadline for receipt of submission via CaFÉ™ system
• August 2025  – Selection committee meets to select semifinalists; all applicants notified of application status
• September 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

Community College of Denver website

Boulder Creek building program plan

Boulder Creek project on Clark Enersen website

Health Sciences programs

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 résumé, 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 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 welcome to apply. Artists who are alumni of the Community College of Denver are encouraged to apply.