11 Aug Red Rocks Public Art Project REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
Public Art Project: Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre
Budget: Approximately $235,000.00 USD
Eligibility: Artists or Artist Teams residing in the United States
DEADLINE: Monday, September 8, 2025, 11:59 P.M. MST
Introduction
Denver Public Art seeks to commission an artist or artist team to create public artworks for Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre. The goal of the project is to incorporate permanent artwork into the park and amphitheatre, integrating natural and man-made areas at Red Rocks. The public art will serve to enhance the experience of those who visit Red Rocks but not detract from the natural landscape.
The commission amount for an artist or artist team is $235,000.00 USD.
A selection panel of community representatives, arts and culture professionals and civic leaders has been assembled to identify art opportunities and to select and recommend an artist or artist team for this project. The panel is seeking artists who work in mediums suitable for exterior spaces, that complement the natural surroundings of the park and the architecture of the amphitheatre (stone, metal, wood, etc.) for this project.
Denver Public Art is hosting a virtual pre-application meeting for interested applicants on Wednesday, August 27, at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will cover project background and goals, and the application process for this Request for Qualifications (RFQ). Attendees will also receive information on CallForEntry.org through which artists may apply. This event will be hosted on Zoom. Interested applicants are asked to register to receive information on how to join prior to the event. If you cannot attend, a recording will be available on the Denver Arts & Venues Vimeo channel.
Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that the land Denver’s Public Art Collection occupies – – land where we stand, live, work and learn — is the traditional territory of the Ute, Cheyenne and Arapaho Peoples. We also recognize the 48 contemporary tribal nations that are historically tied to the lands that make up the state of Colorado. Our nation was founded upon and continues to enact exclusions and erasures of Indigenous Peoples. May this acknowledgement demonstrate a commitment to dismantling ongoing legacies of oppression and inequities as we intentionally honor and celebrate the Indigenous communities in our city and express our gratitude for their ongoing and significant contributions. Let’s not forget that this land was theirs long before we made it ours.
About Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre
Red Rocks was designated and officially opened on June 15, 1941. In the early 20th century, the land was purchased and developed as a recreational park. In 1928, the City of Denver bought the land in hopes of creating a public amenity. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) established the now-historic CCC camp on the south side of the park in 1933 in anticipation of major construction. In 1936, Denver’s Mayor and the head of the parks department received approval from the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to use the CCC to build the amphitheatre under the direction of the National Park Service. What was supposed to be a two-year project, took five years to complete. The seating area was constructed with 90,000 square feet of sandstone, and the amphitheatre was built with 800 tons of quarried stone and 30,000 pounds of reinforced steel.
As one of Colorado’s most spectacular settings, Red Rocks is a geologically formed, open-air amphitheatre unlike any other place in the world. With Mother Nature as the architect, the design of the amphitheatre consists of two, 300-foot monoliths. The dramatic sandstone monoliths serve as a history book of animal and plant life in the area for the past 250 million years.
The majestic setting of the amphitheatre, along with the panoramic view of Denver, makes for a breathtaking scene. At 6,450 feet above sea level, Red Rocks Park is a unique transitional zone where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains. The diverse environment allows visitors to see plants, birds and animals of both regions.
Some of the rock formations in Red Rocks slope as much as 90 degrees, while others tilt backwards. The southern monolith, bearing resemblance to a ship, is named “Ship Rock.” On the opposite side of the amphitheater stands “Creation Rock.” Each of the monoliths are taller than Niagara Falls and Red Rocks Amphitheatre has world-wide recognition.
About the Trading Post
Built in 1931, the Trading Post precedes the amphitheatre by a decade. It was designed by Denver architect W.R. Rosche and was built in a Pueblo Revival style to reflect Native American architecture of the American Southwest and to complement the surrounding landscape. The Trading Post was originally home to a museum that highlighted and exhibited the local flora, fauna and geology of the Denver Mountain Parks. In addition, the Trading Post sold a variety of concessions, antiques, and native objects. Today the Trading Post is a great place to shop for unique Red Rocks souvenirs, apparel and memorabilia.
Please read more at:
https://www.redrocksonline.com/our-story/
Goals, Site, Media & Materials
The selection panel members have set forth goals and parameters for this public art project with the hope of creating unique and seamlessly integrated artwork(s) for those who visit the park. Artists who have not yet received a public art commission are encouraged to apply.
Goals:
- Red Rocks is one of the most celebrated amphitheaters in the world and the panel is interested in artwork that creatively explores the historic, cultural, and natural resources of the park.
- Artwork(s) must be appropriate and unique to the park and amphitheatre and complement the natural surroundings. Artwork(s) must adhere to the guidelines developed for the inclusion of public art at Red Rocks. The guidelines include seven essential elements to consider for public art at Red Rocks and are included as an attachment to this RFQ.
- Artists are encouraged to explore ways to make the artwork accessible. While two of the three locations do not provide opportunities to touch the artwork(s), the panel is interested in creative ways to make the artwork as accessible to the diverse community that utilizes it for recreational and concert-going activities.
- Artists are encouraged to explore biophilic design strategies that support overall wellbeing through color, pattern and subject matter. Biophilic design is the practice of connecting people and nature within our built environments and communities. Click here for a helpful resource guide on biophilic design principles.
Location:
The selection panel has chosen three possible areas where the artwork could be located. Please see attached maps of possible sites for public art.
The artwork(s) will be located in “transitional” areas of the park, adjacent to man-made structures or pathways. Artwork may also be located in wholly man-made areas, so long as they do not impede vehicular or pedestrian access. No artwork will be placed inside buildings or attached to the exterior of buildings or other structures. Artwork(s) should not compete with natural or historical views. Red Rocks Park has strict rules limiting off-trail use, and artwork(s) should not encourage visitors to approach the artwork if it is located in a natural area.
Once selected as a finalist for the project, artists and/or artist teams will have the opportunity to select one or more sites for public art with final approval by Red Rocks staff and the Red Rocks Art Selection Panel.
Materials & Media:
The selection panel is open to artwork in media and materials that complement the natural surroundings of the park and the architecture of the amphitheatre, including but not limited to, stone, rock, metal, wood, etc. Natural color palettes and patina of materials is encouraged. Artwork(s) will be placed outside, along transitional areas of the park, so durability and safety are major factors when considering media and materials.