DEN Seeking Qualified Artists to Create Art for Center of Equity and Excellence in Aviation

DENVER – September 17, 2024 – Denver International Airport (DEN) is actively seeking artists to create public artworks within the airport’s future Center of Equity and Excellence in Aviation (CEEA) facility.

CEEA is a first-of-its-kind resource in the aviation industry that will help draw businesses to Denver to find aviation talent. The facility will help create a pipeline of aviation talent for the entire Denver and the aviation industry with a concentration on under-represented communities, historically underutilized business, people of color and women. CEEA fosters building generational wealth and establishing career pathways in the aviation industry, and serves as an innovation hub that will influence our global community.  CEEA is central to implementing DEN’s Vision 100 strategic plan, which will prepare the airport for 100 million annual passengers in the next several years. CEEA’s design and construction is part of the Great Hall Completion Phase.  The minority-owned design firms Studio Completiva and Sky Blue Builders are working closely to deliver a world-class facility for our global community to enjoy.

A selection panel composed of community representatives, arts and cultural professionals and civic leaders has been assembled to identify public art opportunities within the CEEA Project space and ultimately recommend an artist for each project site. There are two sites within the CEEA space that have been identified for public art. DEN has issued two separate Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to which artists may apply:

• RFQ #1:  CEEA – West Terminal Entrance with a budget of $200,000.00.
  Application Deadline: Oct. 14, 2024
  To apply for the West Terminal Entrance opportunity, please visit CaFÉ™.
• RFQ #2:  CEEA – West Hotel Transit Center Entrance with a budget of $800,000.00.
  Application Deadline: Oct. 28, 2024
  To apply for the West Hotel Transit Center Entrance opportunity, please visit CaFÉ™.

By clicking on the CaFÉ™ link, you will leave a City and County of Denver (City) website at Denver International Airport. The linked website is not hosted, endorsed or maintained by the city.

One artist or artist team will be selected for each opportunity. Funding for this art project comes from the city’s 1% for Public Art Ordinance which dictates that for any Capital Improvement Project undertaken by the city with a budget equal or more than $1M, 1% of the total construction budget be set aside for the inclusion of new public artworks.

Denver International Airport has set forth specific goals and parameters for this public art project with the hope of creating memorable, exciting and inspiring artwork(s) for our passengers, the community and employees at CEEA. The work should:

• Speak to the diverse international audience of DEN while also highlighting the vibrant culture of Denver and the unique state of Colorado;
• Create a memorable first impression for visitors to CEEA;
• Be designed with an emphasis on longevity and sustainability, as the work will be on permanent display in a high-volume environment;
• Engage an intergenerational audience with intersectionality represented;
• Spark imagination and passion for the endless possibilities of flight, innovation and exploration;
• Explore themes of:
  • Aviation and transportation
  • Intersection of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM)
  • Innovation and learning
  • Storytelling of many perspectives;
• Highlight the importance of promoting equitable access, representation, innovation and opportunities within the aviation industry, fostering an inclusive environment that embraces diversity and empowers individuals from all backgrounds to pursue their aspirations.
• Collaborative, multidisciplinary artist groups and teams are encouraged to apply.

Artists interested in applying for this opportunity should submit digital images of past public artwork, résumé and a statement of interest through CaFÉ™.

For more information on this project and DEN public art opportunities, please visit FlyDenver.

Denver International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. DEN is the primary economic engine for the state of Colorado, generating more than $36 billion for the region annually. For more information visit www.FlyDenver.com, check us out on YouTube and Instagram, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Sign up for DEN’s monthly newsletter Nonstop News.

ABOUT DEN’S ART PROGRAM: DEN is known for its remarkable public art collection, cultural exhibits, public events and iconic architecture. The permanent art collection at the airport consists of 34 public artworks by local, national and international artists that can be found along Peña Blvd., the Jeppesen Terminal, all three concourses, the Westin Hotel, DEN Plaza and the RTD A-Line platform.

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