Overview
 As part of its new Aspen Public Art Plan, the City of Aspen is commissioning an artist/team to create and install a work of public art and community engagement serving local residents, transit riders, and visitors at Rubey Park Transit Center in Aspen, Colorado. We are seeking bilingual projects that celebrate the diverse community of transit users; that are participatory in nature (engaging public participation in the creative process); and that add visual art to the Transit Center building and its platforms. We encourage artists to envision a highly imaginative approach. The project will be on display and activated for two months during summer of 2024.

Community
 Aspen, Colorado is a small resort town in the Rocky Mountains that is crisscrossed by local residents, workers commuting from throughout the Roaring Fork Valley, second-homeowners, and visitors. The year round population of 7,000 is estimated to increase five fold during the summer high season. Rubey Park Transit Center serves as a hub for the community who are moving in, out and around Aspen for work, errands, and recreation via the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority, known affectionately as RFTA (pronounced “raf-tah”)

The Roaring Fork Valley community is made up of a diverse population, primarily of “Anglo” and Latino residents. English and Spanish are the two primary languages spoken in the Valley and that will be represented in the bilingual campaign. 

Rubey Park  
 Located in the heart of Aspen, Rubey Park is the main hub for the City of Aspen and RFTA bus services. Regionally, buses operate from Aspen to Rifle, serving up to five million riders a year. Used by visitors and locals alike, the bus system is known for its quality service, robustness of use, affordability, sustainable practices, and wide service area. The mission of the City of Aspen’s robust transportation program is to preserve Aspen’s character by keeping traffic congestion and pollution at a minimum. 

Project We Are Looking For
 We are seeking a project that engages, entertains and inspires riders while they await their bus (a timeframe that can be up to 20 minutes) and meets them where they are — geographically, linguistically and culturally. The ideal project will engage community members in the creative process, inviting them to become co-authors, editors and observers of the work. Equally important, the artwork should create a large visual imprint on the building exterior and platforms, stimulating both users of the system and passersby. 

Eligibility
 The call is open to all artists and designers. Applicants do not need to be bilingual to submit but should take an inclusive approach to the project. The City of Aspen will provide translation services and support on bilingual/bicultural outreach.

Project budget: Up to $15,000, inclusive of all fees and costs, from design through deinstallation
Application deadline: May 20, 2024
Notification: by June 1, 2024
Exhibition dates: July 29 - September 16, 2024
Installation of artwork: week of July 22, 2024
Deinstallation of artwork: week of September 17, 2024
How to apply:  INSERT LINK HERE

ARTIST EXPECTATIONS 

A few select artist/teams will be invited for an interview (in person or virtual) where they will be asked to expand on their proposed project for the site. The finalist will be invited to develop the design for final approval. Selected artist/team will be required to sign an agreement.

Safety is a top priority for Rubey Park operations; therefore, artwork elements must be durable and adhere to safety and accessibility guidelines, including Title VI and ADA. As this is a temporary installation, when the exhibition concludes, elements must be easily removable and not cause damage to permanent structures. The City of Aspen and RFTA are not liable for artwork damage or loss. Any works that are damaged will be removed. The City of Aspen has the right to remove the art installation and elements at any time during the exhibition period.

COMPENSATION

Selected artist/team will receive up to $15,000, to include all design, material, equipment, transportation, and installation/deinstallation fees. 

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

We are seeking qualifications from individuals or teams of artists and designers who are interested in participating. Qualifications must demonstrate successful work at a similar scale and scope. Submissions should include a letter of interest, optional preliminary sketch, work samples, and a resume. Applicants must be able to carry out the scope of work in its entirety, from design through deinstallation. Artists are encouraged to consider the interactive and visual elements and how they relate to one another and to the community. 

SELECTION PROCESS
 The Aspen Public Art Plan Visioning Committee and representatives from the City of Aspen Transportation Department and RFTA will serve on the selection committee. Additional review members with insight and expertise related to the goals of the project may be added. Select applicants will be invited to give a brief overview presentation of their proposed project. This could be in person or held virtually.  

Review Criteria

●      Artistic Merit: The artist has produced work of high quality and offers a creative approach, process and style that will be a fit for Aspen.

●      Ability to Deliver: The artist has completed works of similar scope and scale and demonstrates professionalism. 

●      Relevance to Aspen and Rubey Park: The artist’s style, process, or body of work could address or enhance the character of our community.

We’re Here to Help!  
  Questions about the overall opportunity? Contact: Sarah Roy, sarah.roy@aspen.gov or call 970-429-2777. Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Through generous local support,  financial assistance is available for summer art camps.  To be considered, fill-out and return the financial assistance forms.  

Red Brick Center for the Arts is accepting applications for 1 available space in the shared clay studio. The clay studio is meant for artists working in the clay medium ONLY.

• 189 square feet of studio space with access to a shared sink
• Rental price is $467/month (includes utilities)

A selection committee will review the applications and make a recommendation on the artist to select for the available studio space. The artist will be selected based on their artwork, the statement of why they would like to be a Red Brick Resident Artist, and a demonstrated commitment to their artistic practice.

The Red Brick provides affordable office space to nonprofits and studio space to working artists within a collaborative environment. The Red Brick rental spaces are intended for nonprofits and artists who wish to be a part of an active community and willingly participate and contribute to the greater good of the Red Brick’s mission. Resident Artists can be established or emerging artists working in various artistic mediums. Additionally, the studios are intended for artists who are committed and working to advance their artistic pursuits and careers. Red Brick studios allow artists the opportunity to grow as creatives, entrepreneurs, and business owners.

Red Brick Resident Artists are expected to work in their studio a minimum of 20 hours a week and participate in Red Brick Arts programming. Applicants must review and agree to the Red Brick Resident Artist policies and commitments when applying.

To view available clay studio spaces call 970-429-2777 to schedule an appointment.

Required information in the application

• Name, address, contact information
• Artist bio and/or resume
• Statement on intent that includes answers to the following items:

- Explain why you want to have a studio at the Red Brick Center for the Arts

- Your need for studio space at the Red Brick 

- Your artistic goals as an artist

- Your commitment to your artistic practice

- Please state if you can fulfill the minimum requirement of working 20 hours a week in the studio space

• Contact for 3 references
•  10 images of different artworks