May Bonfils Stanton Theatre at Loretto Heights Public Art RFQ Info Session

Denver Public Art seeks to commission an artist or artist team to create an original suspended artwork for the lobby of the theatre.

Denver Public Art will host a virtual pre-application meeting on Thursday, November 13 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. for interested applicants. 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 get information on how to join prior to the event.

_____

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

May Bonfils Stanton Theatre at Loretto Heights Public Art Project

Budget: Approximately $550,000.00

Eligibility: Open to artists or artist teams residing in the United States

DEADLINE: Monday, December 1, 2025, 11:59 P.M. MST

Introduction:

Denver Public Art seeks to commission an artist or artist team to create an original suspended artwork for the lobby of the May Bonfils Stanton Theatre at Loretto Heights in Denver, Colorado.

An eleven-member selection panel—comprising community representatives, arts and design professionals, and civic leaders—has been convened to identify art opportunities and to select and recommend an artist or artist team for this project.

The total budget for this commission is approximately USD $550,000, which may be awarded to a single artist/team or divided among multiple artworks, depending on the panel’s final recommendations.

Denver Public Art will host a virtual pre-application meeting on Thursday, November 13, 5:30-6:30 p.m., for interested applicants. The meeting will cover the project background and goals, as well as the application process for this Request for Qualifications (RFQ). Attendees will also get information on CallForEntry.org, through which artists may apply. This event will be hosted on Zoom. Interested applicants are asked to register to get information on how to join prior to the event. If you are unable to attend, a recording will be available on the Denver Arts & Venues Vimeo channel.

Goals:

The public artwork for the May Bonfils Stanton Theatre should be unique, inviting, and echo the cultural and architectural heritage of the Loretto Heights campus, while also addressing the needs and ambitions of the local community. The selection panel has outlined the following objectives:

• Honor the rich history of the Loretto Heights campus and the legacy of the May Bonfils Stanton Theatre as a hub for education, performance, and community engagement.
• Establish a visual link between the campus and the nearby Harvey Park South neighborhood, emphasizing the site’s role as a cultural landmark.
• Develop artworks that are bold and colorful, with a commanding presence both day and night, leveraging lighting creatively.
• Artwork should act as a welcoming symbol for all visitors, residents, and regional guests alike.
• Support cultural equity and accessibility, reflecting the racial and ethnic diversity of southwest Denver.
• Foster artistic methods that promote inclusion, connection, and a sense of belonging among the neighborhood’s multigenerational and multicultural populations.