Plains Conservation Center - Eagle Nesting Site - Aurora, CO

THE PROJECT

The City of Aurora, Colorado Art in Public Places Program seeks qualifications from Indigenous artists for the first of five public art commissions planned for the Plains Conservation Center. This opportunity calls for a three-dimensional public artwork that reflects the ecological, cultural, and historical significance of the shortgrass prairie while creating a meaningful visitor experience and serving as a distinctive landmark within the conservation center.

THE PROJECT

The City of Aurora, Colorado Art in Public Places Program seeks qualifications from Indigenous artists for the first of five public art commissions planned for the Plains Conservation Center.

The City of Aurora is seeking a three-dimensional public art installation that will enhance the Plains Conservation Center and reflect the unique ecological, cultural, and historical significance of this protected shortgrass prairie landscape. The selected artwork should respond to the character of the site while creating a meaningful experience for visitors and serving as a distinctive landmark within the conservation center.

Located within a roundabout near an active nesting area utilized by eagles and other raptors, the site is surrounded by expansive prairie views, native habitat, and one of Colorado's remaining shortgrass prairie ecosystems. The annual return of nesting eagles has become one of the area's most recognizable natural features and serves as a reminder of the enduring relationship between wildlife, people, and place.

The Plains Conservation Center encompasses more than 1,100 acres of protected prairie and serves as a place where visitors can explore the interconnected stories of the land, ecology, wildlife, Indigenous peoples, and the generations of stewards who have cared for this landscape. Through a series of public art commissions, the City seeks to elevate Indigenous voices and artistic practices while fostering a deeper understanding of the prairie and its significance.

Artists are encouraged to explore the relationship between history and ecology, highlighting how the land has shaped and sustained both human and natural communities over time. The selected artwork should honor the land and acknowledge the interconnected relationship between people and the earth. The artwork may reflect the understanding that the land is at the heart of community, culture, and identity, and that people and the natural world are inextricably connected.

Artists may draw inspiration from themes including:

• Honoring the land and its enduring significance
• The relationship between people and the earth
• Indigenous knowledge, perspectives, and stewardship
• The interconnectedness of all living things
• The ecological importance of the shortgrass prairie ecosystem
• Migration, habitat, and natural cycles
• The role of eagles, raptors, and other wildlife within the prairie landscape
• Resilience, reciprocity, and care for future generations
• Historical and contemporary connections between people and place

While artwork may draw inspiration from eagles, raptors, and other wildlife, literal representations are not required. The City welcomes creative interpretations that reflect the artist's unique perspective, cultural knowledge, and artistic practice while complementing the character and mission of the Plains Conservation Center.

BACKGROUND

Plains Conservation Center

The Plains Conservation Center is a 1,100-acre nature preserve owned and operated by the City of Aurora Parks, Recreation and Open Space Department. Located in southeastern Aurora, the center protects one of Colorado's remaining shortgrass prairie ecosystems and provides opportunities for environmental education, cultural interpretation, wildlife observation, and outdoor recreation.

The site serves as a living classroom where visitors can explore the interconnected stories of the land, ecology, wildlife, Indigenous peoples, and the generations of stewards who have shaped and cared for the prairie landscape. Through conservation, education, and public engagement, the Plains Conservation Center fosters an understanding of the relationship between people and the natural world while preserving this unique ecosystem for future generations. Learn more about the Master Plan here.

About Aurora, CO

Aurora is the third largest city in Colorado, spanning three counties in the eastern Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Area. Aurora embraces a highly diverse population of approximately 400,000 residents who enjoy access to quality education, Colorado's natural beauty and active lifestyle, and an array of cultural amenities within the context of a vibrant and growing community. Aurora is home to top national employers in aerospace and defense, bioscience, healthcare, and alternative energy.

Situated on prairie grasslands, rolling hills and the northern tip of the Black Forest, Aurora offers a unique quality of life that blends a traditional sense of community with a range of outdoor and leisure activities. Residents enjoy a wealth of opportunities and are proud to call Aurora home.

Application Materials

• 8-10 images/videos of relevant work. Do not submit conceptual proposals, renderings or AI images. They will not be reviewed.
• Professional resume not to exceed two pages
• Statement of Interest: (Why are you interested in this project? Connection with the 51 federally recognized Tribal Nations associated with Colorado or Tribal communities whose members were displaced or who were relocated to the Denver Metro area of Colorado through the Indian Relocation Act of 1956.)
• Brief bio
• Open ONLY to artists who reside in United States and its Territories

Questions

Questions should be directed to publicart@auroragov.org

By submitting an application, artists will be added to the City of Aurora Public Art email list to receive notifications about future opportunities. Artists may opt out of these communications at any time.

Selection Process

Aurora’s Public Art Staff manages the selection process. All applications must be submitted through the CaFE System of Creative West. This application process is free. No hard copies will be accepted, and no applications should be submitted directly to public art staff. This is a call for artists who are members of the 51 federally recognized Tribal Nations associated with Colorado, as well as artists from Tribal communities whose members were displaced or who were relocated to the Denver Metro area of Colorado through the Indian Relocation Act of 1956.

Phase One: The Selection Panel will identify the most qualified applicants based on the selection criteria listed below. From this pool of submissions, three finalists will be selected. Finalists must submit an endorsement or certification from the tribal council or cultural preservation office of a federally or Colorado-recognized tribe.

Phase Two: Three finalists will each receive a $675 honorarium to participate in an optional site visit, develop a formal proposal, and participate in a virtual interview. During the formal interviews (virtual), finalists will make their presentations and engage in a Q & A period.

Phase Three: The Selection Panel will recommend the selected applicant to the Arts & Culture Commission for approval. Then the project will move through a multi-level approval process, culminating with City Council.

Materials

Materials must be durable and appropriate for exterior applications within the Front Range climate of Colorado. Annually, temperatures range from sub-zero to over 100 degrees, and temperatures can span more than 40 degrees within a day, or even a few hours. Snow, hail, wind, and extreme sun are all environmental issues to contend with when proposing exterior art projects at this elevation and climate.

Initial Selection Criteria

The ideal artist:

• Comfortable working in the public sphere.
• Enjoys working with people.
• Has demonstrated experience creating exterior three-dimensional permanent works of art.
• Has demonstrated experience working on projects with budgets of $10,000 or greater.
• Living and working in the United States and its Territories.
• Demonstrates deep, documented ties to the local Indigenous community or history.
• Possesses verified expertise in specific cultural traditional tribal art forms or techniques.
• Presents a portfolio reflecting the specific cultural narratives of the regional tribes.
• Is a member of one of the 51 federally recognized Tribal Nations associated with Colorado, as well as artists from Tribal communities whose members were displaced or who were relocated to the Denver Metro area of Colorado through the Indian Relocation Act of 1956. Finalists must submit an endorsement or certification from the tribal council or cultural preservation office of a federally or Colorado-recognized tribe.

Tentative Timeline

• Deadline for completed applications to be received: July 22, 2026, 11:59 pm Mountain Time.
• Finalists notified: approx. week of August 3, 2026
• Finalists’ virtual presentations: approx. August 31, 2026
• Multi-level approval process completed: approx. September 2026
• It is desirable that the work be completed and installed by August-October 2027