Downtown Longmont mural project in the heart of the Creative District

Longmont Art in Public Places mission is “To provide, manage and promote a diverse and ongoing collection of public art for the enjoyment of the citizens of Longmont.”

The City of Longmont’s Art in Public Places (AIPP) program in partnership with Longmont Downtown Development Authority (LDDA) and Longmont Creative District seeks to commission an artist or a team of artists to create a site-specific public mural artwork directly across from the City of Longmont Civic, adjacent to the new Hotel Longmont (508 3rd Ave, Longmont, CO 80501) off the alley west of Kimbark Street in the heart of the Longmont Creative District in downtown Longmont.

Art in Public Places is seeking an artist or artist team who have demonstrated experience visualizing a vibrant, colorful, distinctive identity.  The new mural artwork will span 5,000sq.ft. of predominantly expansive skinny linear spaces with limited larger rectangular fields.

About

The new mural artwork on Kimbark Street is located across the street from the Longmont Civic Center and adjacent to the new Hotel Longmont, in the heart of Longmont’s Certified Creative District downtown. This artwork will play a central role in defining the visual identity of downtown.

The building will include street level public parking and deck parking for hotel guests with bike and electric vehicle charging for residents, visitors, downtown employees, and general use. The mural will be featured on all sides of the building: the top tier of the parking deck facing east, visible from the civic center, library, west visible in the alleyway, and north visible in the breezeway and from Kimbark Street. It should be exciting, memorable, utilizing a vibrant color palette.

Location for Art: Located at 508 3rd Ave, Longmont, CO 80501 the new artwork will span 5,000sq.ft. of predominantly expansive skinny linear areas with select areas for larger rectangular, compositions.  See included image.

Applying for This Opportunity

In response to this RFQ, applicants will be asked to submit:

• Six to ten digital images of previous work at least two completed within the last five years of similar work scope and budget. (Executed work only, no renderings, please). 
• Applicants will be asked how they will approach the design of skinny linear fields as it relates to their style and aesthetic. (omitting any personal or identifying information) via www.callforentry.org (CaFÉ™).
• A résumé or cv
• Three professional references

Submission acceptance will be capped at one hundred qualified applicants.

The project selection panel will review all application materials and choose three semi-finalists. Semi-finalist selection will be based on each applicant’s style, technical skill, and examples of previous work. Previous experience with similar size and scope commissions (either public or private) is required. Submitted images should be executed work only - no renderings or conceptual drawings.

Semi-finalists will be invited to create up to three site-specific mural design proposals to present to the selection panel April 4, 2026. AIPP intends to award the contract to one artist or artist team; however, AIPP reserves the right to award one or more applicant, or no applicants, if none of the applications are deemed acceptable.

Selected semi-finalists will be paid a $1,000 honorarium to create up to three proposed designs for presentation. Artists living more than 100 miles from the Longmont Museum may request an additional amount up to $250 for travel and lodging expenses for an in-person presentation. The proposed mural imagery may be on display for public comment for a short period prior or after the selection panel interview and artist presentation. Each semi-finalist will present their proposals and may take questions from the selection panel. An artist or artist team will be selected for this artwork commission from the group of semi-finalists. As in all competitions, the City reserves the right to revise the project parameters as needed, and to reject all proposals if no consensus is reached on final selection.

The selected artist or artist team finalist for the commission will work with the public art program staff within the timeline to complete the installation. The final recommendation of the selection panel will be presented to the Art in Public Places Commission for acceptance, and city/artist contract for final approval.

Can a Team Apply?

Applicants may apply as a single artist or multi-person collaborative group/team. If applying as a team, please submit a single application with one résumé for the team, with one page per team member.

Budget

The budget for this commission is $85,000 USD which will be allocated to the artist/team selected. These funds come from the Longmont Downtown Development Authority budget and have been allocated to the City of Longmont’s Art in Public Places program. This contract amount is inclusive of all costs associated with the project including, but not limited to: the artist’s design fee, other consultation fees, insurance (including Colorado Workers Compensation), tools, materials, transportation during project completion, installation, equipment, travel to and from the site, per diem expenses, project documentation, 10% required contingency to cover unexpected expenses, and any other costs.

Maintenance & Durability

All applicants will consider long-term conservation and maintenance of the public artwork, along with time and budget. Due to exposure to weather and harsh UV, all approved materials will be industry standard, highly durable, low-maintenance materials. Finalists will consult with the public art administrator prior to submission of a final proposal specifying materials to be used for the project. Selected artist proposals are reviewed by Longmont’s Public Art Commission and other appropriate agencies to ensure conformity with City standards of maintenance and durability. All finalists are expected to stay on budget and to complete work in an approved timeframe. 

Longmont Art in Public Places requires a UV and graffiti sealant application to the final mural, which will be applied by a third party and not the responsibility of the commissioned artist/artist team contract.

Project timeline

• Friday February 27: 11:59 MST Deadline for entry. The Artist Call for Entry will close upon receipt of one hundred qualified applicants or the deadline, whichever is first. (via CaFÉ™ system)
• April 4, 2026: Artist/team semi-finalist presentations in Longmont Colorado (preferably in-person)
• Spring 2026: AIPP and artist will complete contract and determine painting schedule

Eligibility

This project is open to artists residing in USA, regardless of race, color, creed, gender, gender variance, sexual orientation, national origin, age, religion, marital status, political opinion or affiliation, or mental or physical disability. Questions regarding eligibility should contact the Longmont public art administrator. Additional Rules and Terms Apply