Arvada Sculpture on Carr Dr.

The City of Arvada’s Arts & Culture Commission (AACC) invites professional artists and artist teams to submit qualifications and concepts for the creation of an original, permanent sculpture near the new Arvada Aquatics Center on Carr Dr. This landmark artwork will serve as a visual icon for the neighborhood and facility, showcasing a celebration of water, movement, and community.

Arvada Sculpture on Carr Dr.  – Public Art Opportunity
The City of Arvada’s Arts & Culture Commission (AACC) invites professional artists and artist teams to submit qualifications and concepts for the creation of an original, permanent sculpture near the new Arvada Aquatics Center on Carr Dr. This landmark artwork will serve as a visual icon for the neighborhood and facility, showcasing a celebration of water, movement, and community.

About the Arvada Aquatics Center
The Arvada Aquatics Center is a state-of-the-art public facility designed to serve residents and visitors of all ages. The center supports a wide range of activities including recreational swimming, competitive training, swim instruction, and family-oriented programming. As a gathering place for fitness, play, and social interaction, the Aquatics Center reflects Arvada’s commitment to healthy living, inclusive public spaces, and high-quality design.
The building’s contemporary architecture, open sightlines, and strong connection to its surroundings create an ideal setting for a bold, iconic work of public art. The selected sculpture will become a visual landmark for the facility and surrounding neighborhood.

Project Overview
The selected artist will design, fabricate, and install a site-specific, original sculpture that is prominently visible from a distance and engaging from all viewpoints. Existing sculptures that fit the theme will also be considered. The artwork should function as a sculptural beacon, enhancing the Aquatics Center’s identity, visitor experience, and local neighborhood. 

Artistic Vision & Concept
Artists are asked to create a dynamic representation of water, interpreted through form, motion, light, texture, or negative space. The sculpture should evoke the essence of water + community (energy, flow, rhythm, and transformation).

The final artwork must:

• Be visually compelling from 360 degrees
• Maintain a strong, impressive silhouette against the sky and surrounding architecture
• Read clearly and powerfully from both near and far distances
• Complement the contemporary nature of the Aquatics Center
• Fit on a 6’x6’ pad or less, with a height between 6’-9’ tall
• Expect public interaction, as this is in an area with young children. Safety must be considered in terms of climbing and sharp edges.

Site Considerations
The sculpture will be installed outdoors near the Arvada Aquatics Center and must be appropriate for a highly visible, public-facing location. It should be appropriate for a family-friendly, active public environment and engage a broad audience, including children, athletes, and residents of the surrounding neighborhood. The artwork should feel dynamic and alive while remaining timeless and durable.

Materials & Durability
The sculpture must be constructed of weather-resistant, low-maintenance materials suitable for Colorado’s climate, including sun, wind, snow, and temperature extremes. Acceptable materials may include (but are not limited to) metal, stone, concrete, glass, or composite materials designed for long-term outdoor display.

Artist Eligibility & Selection
This call is open to professional artists and artist teams with demonstrated experience in creating and installing large-scale, durable, outdoor sculpture. Artists working in abstract or contemporary sculptural forms are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Arvada Arts & Culture Commission will review and select up to three finalists based on their resumes, examples of previous work, a letter of interest, and a concept statement. These finalists will be asked to complete a full proposal for their concept for this sculpture. The finalists who are not awarded the contract will be given an honorarium of $250 for completing the full proposals for the sculpture.

Final proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Artistic excellence and originality
• Strength and clarity of the water concept
• Visual impact, including silhouette and 360-degree presence
• Appropriateness of materials and construction methods
• Demonstrated ability to complete projects of similar scope
• Final design will be voted on by the public

Budget & Timeline
Project Budget: $74,500
$250 stipend for finalists for original designs
Anticipated Installation: Fall 2027
The budget is expected to be inclusive of all costs, including design, engineering, fabrication, permitting, transportation, installation, and any required insurance.

Timeline

• Application Deadline | Sunday, October 4, 2026 (11:59 PM)
• Jurying Period | October 12-15, 2026
• Three Finalists Notified | Friday, October 16, 2026
• Final Designs Due | Sunday, November 15, 2026  (11:59 PM)
• Final Jurying Period | November 16-19, 2026
• Finalist Announced | Friday, November 20, 2026
• Installation Deadline | October 2027

Submission Requirements

Interested artists should submit:

• A brief letter of interest
• Artist résumé(s)/portfolio
• Examples of previous relevant work (images with descriptions)
• A preliminary concept statement outlining the proposed approach

To apply: Applicants must be 18 years or older and hold a current Colorado home or studio address to be eligible to apply. This call is administered through CaFÉ. Artists must set up a profile in the online system to complete the application successfully. Eligible artists may submit their application through https://www.callforentry.org/.

This call is open to professional artists and artist teams with demonstrated experience in creating and installing large-scale, durable, outdoor sculpture. Artists working in abstract or contemporary sculptural forms are strongly encouraged to apply.

Submission Requirements

Interested artists should submit:

• A brief letter of interest
• Artist résumé(s)/portfolio
• Examples of previous relevant work (images with descriptions)
• A preliminary concept statement outlining the proposed approach

To apply: Applicants must be 18 years or older and hold a current Colorado home or studio address to be eligible to apply. This call is administered through CaFÉ. Artists must set up a profile in the online system to complete the application successfully. Eligible artists may submit their artist statement, resume/CV, and three to five examples of relevant projects through https://www.callforentry.org/.

Artists must adhere to the timeline listed.