All locations on this RFQ are requested from artists and/or artist teams interested in creating site specific public artworks(s) for the Colorado State University System campus, Spur, at National Western Center. Colorado artists are encouraged to apply. Applications can be submitted here.

 

DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTAL: 1/24/2020

TOTAL ART BUDGET: $1,055,000 for eight locations, with budget ranges of up to $30,000-$400,000 per location (reference location plan on pages 7 and 8 of full RFQ)

NAME OF INSTITUTION: Colorado State University System

 

ABOUT THE COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM

CSU System Overview

“The Colorado State University System exists to support, enhance, and protect the unique missions of its constituent institutions and to encourage collaboration that benefits students and Colorado.”

 – Colorado State University System Mission Statement

 

The Colorado State University System has three campuses, each with distinct roles and missions—Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado State University-Pueblo and Colorado State University Global.

 

The CSU campuses serve the state, region, country, and world, educating nearly 60,000 students annually. Highly skilled graduates number almost 9,000 per year, and more than 250,000 alumni live around the globe. The CSU System involves a total operating budget of more than $1.15 billion, with annual research expenditures at the Fort Collins campus totaling $375 million.

 

More information is available at www.csusystem.edu.

 

CSU and the National Western Stock Show

Colorado State University has a history with the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) dating back to the first Stock Show in 1906. The CSU System will build upon this history to create the CSU Spur campus at the National Western Center. Spur will provide educational outreach, connect youth and families to topics at the intersection of food, water, and health, and inspire lifelong learners to address local and global challenges.

 

ABOUT SPUR

In 2022, the Colorado State University System will open its doors to Spur, a space like no other: three buildings focused on water, animal and human health, and food and agriculture. On the banks of the South Platte River, within the redeveloped National Western Center, Spur will be a CSU campus that serves as a front door to the world-class research and education provided within each of the CSU System institutions.

The CSU Spur campus at the National Western Center (NWC) will expand CSU’s programs into a dynamic, growing, urban area, with strong links to cities and rural areas in the entire State of Colorado and the West, and ties to international audiences.

Engaging art experiences at Spur will bring visitors closer to the future of food, water and animal health. Spur is a unique opportunity to inspire current and future students, alumni, employees, and visitors and to reimagine the possibilities for art.

 

Spur will also expand upon the CSU System’s commitment to sustainability (CSU Fort Collins was the first Platinum rated campus for sustainability), creating facilities and programs that advance and demonstrate sustainable design.

CSU will be constructing three transformative facilities at the NWC: the Water Building, which will focus on innovation and research in water; the CSU Center for Food and Agriculture, focused on teaching and research and development in food and agriculture; and the Animal Health Complex, which will create spaces for exploration and services related to animal health.

All three facilities are intended to be busy, public spaces—CSU Spur is working with our education teams and NWC partners History Colorado the Denver Museum of Nature & Science to plan for world-class experiences for life-long learners that are unique to these three facilities.

The surrounding neighborhoods of Globeville and Elyria-Swansea provide a one-of-a-kind setting and are home to communities that CSU is committed to serving. The rich history of these neighborhoods, and the recent neighborhood plans that outline the communities’ goals for the future, create a foundation for community interaction that is the hallmark of a land grant university.  Please reference the Spur Art Masterplan available at ninedotarts.com/spur-art-masterplan/.

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC ART

There are eight artwork locations designated within the project scope for artists to apply for. All facilities will be LEED Gold or higher, so art will need to be LEED-compliant. The locations are as follows (refer to IMAGES 1-2  in full RFQ). For more information, please reference the Spur Art Masterplan available at ninedotarts.com/spur-art-masterplan/.

 

a. Bridge – Interior and/or Exterior - Defining Landmark of the CSU campus - uplifting, eye catching, monumental beacon. (budget: up to $400,000)

b. Northeast Plaza and Façade of Animal Health Center – Awareness entry for the CSU campus. A transition moment in the district to an educational and experiential campus. (budget: up to $110,000)

c. Plaza of CSU Center – A welcoming space for entry to the CSU campus. Lounging, playful, entertaining. (budget: up to $100,000)

d. Water Building Backyard – This is where we play. All ages playground and interactive space. (budget: up to $125,000)

e. Water Building Alley – An imaginative artwork located on the ceiling, walls, paving, etc., of the Alley between the new architecture of the Water Building and the old McConnell building. This art activates the surrounding alley and invites guests to explore. (budget: up to $140,000)

f. Water Building Interior, Main Lobby. (budget: up to $75,000)

g. CSU Center Ag Discovery. (budget: up to $75,000)

h. Animal Health Center Main Lobby, recommended as Stair Activation. (budget: up to $30,000)

 

Four selection criteria have been identified that apply to Spur public art selection and implementation. The Selection Committee will consider the following:

• Innovation

Artworks high in innovation show new ways of thinking about existing materials, locations or connection with artwork in a public setting.

• Engagement

Artworks high in Engagement thoughtfully and deliberately respond to the site and engage audiences. These artworks may include audience participation in the visioning or concept development and/or creation or fabrication of the artwork.

• Imagination

Artworks that feature a high level of imagination use play, delight, surprise or entertainment to spur curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, or discussion.

• Relevance

Artworks featuring relevant references related to the historic site, land use, cultural history, and surrounding communities.

 

There are three different artwork typologies integrated into proposed plans to keep in mind for specific locations when submitting your application (refer to IMAGE 3 in full RFQ):

Landmark: A visual announcement of place

Plaza: An area for social gatherings

Play: Engaging with details of surprise and delight