Fire Station 2 Public Art

Fire Station 2 Public Art Project
Budget: Approximately $225,000 USD
Eligibility: National Call
DEADLINE: Monday, July 28, 2025; 11:59 p.m. MST

Introduction

The Boulder Public Art Program seeks to commission an artist or team of artists to create an original, three-dimensional outdoor artwork for the Fire Station 2 campus in Boulder, Colorado. The artwork will be sited at a highly visible intersection on the northwest corner of Baseline Road and Broadway Avenue, serving as a gateway to the city and a landmark for a wide range of residents and visitors. The commission amount is approximately $225,000 USD.

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

Fire Station 2 Public Art Project
Budget: Approximately $225,000 USD
Eligibility: National Call
DEADLINE: Monday, July 28, 2025; 11:59 p.m. MST

Introduction
The Boulder Public Art Program seeks to commission an artist or team of artists to create an original, three-dimensional outdoor artwork for the Fire Station 2 campus in Boulder, Colorado. The artwork will be sited at a highly visible intersection on the northwest corner of Baseline Road and Broadway Avenue, serving as a gateway to the city and a landmark for a wide range of residents and visitors. The commission amount is approximately $225,000 USD.

Fire Station 2
Located on the corner of Baseline and Broadway, Fire Station 2 serves the University of Colorado Boulder and University Hill area, responding to approximately 2,300 emergency calls per year. The station is being redeveloped to provide modernized emergency services to the community and support the City of Boulder’s goals for sustainability, equity, and long-term resilience. The project has an estimated total cost of $25 million and is expected to be completed by 2028.

Materials & Media
The selection panel seeks to commission an iconic sculptural artwork that functions as a visually striking gateway while honoring the values, history, and landscape of Boulder. The work will be sited outdoors at a key corner of the property visible to pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. The work should be appreciable from a distance.

Artists are encouraged to explore any artwork themes that meet the above criteria. Themes could include:

·       The natural environment, sustainability, and resilience
·       The uniqueness of Boulder, including its history, geography, and culture
·       The relationship between wilderness and the built environment
·       Protection, preservation, and awareness of civic/public space
·       Boulder’s long history of public service, outdoor enthusiasm, and environmental stewardship

The artwork should not invite physical interaction or encourage public gathering on fire station property. The artwork should not include any sound elements. Minimal lighting elements may be incorporated if they do not negatively impact adjacent firefighter housing.

Maintenance & Durability
Applicants must consider the long-term conservation and maintenance of the artwork. It will be exposed to the Colorado climate and may be subject to vandalism. Public art projects should be fabricated of durable, weather-resistant, and low-maintenance materials. Finalists are encouraged to consult with a professional conservator during proposal development. The selected artist/team will be expected to complete work within the approved budget and timeline and conform to city standards including those related to accessibility (ADA). 

Eligibility
This is a national call, open to all artists and artist teams residing in the United States, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, or ability. Artists with experience working in outdoor settings and with public-facing artworks are encouraged to apply. Knowledge of Boulder’s landscape, history, and civic values is a plus.

Can a team apply?
Applicants may apply as an individual artist or a collaborative team. If applying as a team, please submit one résumé including a section for each team member (one page per member).

How to apply
To apply, please submit materials through the online platform CaFÉ™ <www.callforentry.org>. There is no application fee to apply or to use the CaFÉ™ online application system. Assistance in using the CaFÉ™ system is available here.

Applicants will be asked to provide:

• Four digital images of previously completed work
• One video file (optional) if your practice includes media, kinetic, or light-based work
• How to format images to CaFÉ™ specifications
• Résumé (1–2 pages; if a team, 1–2 pages per team member)
• Please name your résumé file accordingly: Last name.First initial (i.e. Smith.J.pdf). 
• Statement of Interest (max 2,000 characters) describing your interest in the project, connection to the themes, and experience working in public art and with diverse communities

 Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicant name must appear on all materials.

Selection Process
From the pool of applicants, a selection panel will choose three finalists, who will each receive a $1,000 honorarium to develop a site-specific proposal and participate in an interview. Finalists will meet virtually with project stakeholders, design team members, and public art staff.

One artist or team will be selected and recommended to the Boulder Arts Commission and City Manager for final approval. All decisions of the City of Boulder are final.

Budget
The total budget for this commission is approximately $225,000 USD, inclusive of all costs associated with the project: artist fees, materials, fabrication, insurance, travel, installation, site modifications, and documentation. Funding is made possible through the City of Boulder’s 1% for Public Art Policy.

Timeline
(Except for online application deadline, timeline is subject to adjustments)
Monday, July 28, 2025; 11:59 P.M. MST — Application deadline via CaFÉ™
August 2025 -- Three finalists selected
Fall 2025 — Artist/team selected
2027 — Installation (dependent on overall construction schedule)

Project Selection Panel
In accordance with Boulder’s Public Art Policy, the Fire Station 2 public art selection panel includes five voting members and additional non-voting advisors. The panel is responsible for reviewing the site, developing goals, evaluating applicants, and selecting finalists and the commissioned artist/team.

Contact
For questions, please contact:
Boulder Office of Arts + Culture, Public Art Program
publicart@bouldercolorado.gov

Applicants will be asked to provide:

• Four digital images of previously completed work
• One video file (optional) if your practice includes media, kinetic, or light-based work
• How to format images to CaFÉ™ specifications
• Résumé (1–2 pages; if a team, 1–2 pages per team member)
• Please name your résumé file accordingly: Last name.First initial (i.e. Smith.J.pdf).
• Statement of Interest (max 2,000 characters) describing your interest in the project, connection to the themes, and experience working in public art and with diverse communities

 Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicant name must appear on all materials.

Eligibility
This is a national call, open to all artists and artist teams residing in the United States, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, or ability. Artists with experience working in outdoor settings and with public-facing artworks are encouraged to apply. Knowledge of Boulder’s landscape, history, and civic values is a plus.

Can a team apply?
Applicants may apply as an individual artist or a collaborative team. If applying as a team, please submit one résumé including a section for each team member (one page per member).