This guide is a tour of public art in the City and County of Denver. It is divided into two sections:
Denver and
Downtown Denver. Information about the City’s entire Public Art Collection and opportunities for involvement in the public art process is available by visiting
www.denvergov.org/publicart or calling 720-865-4313.
Denver’s Public Art Program was established in 1988 as an Executive Order under Mayor Federico Peña. The order, enacted into Ordinance by Mayor Wellington E. Webb, directs that 1% of any capital improvement project over $1 million undertaken by the City be set aside for the inclusion of art in the design and construction of these projects. Over the past 20 years, the City has installed over 150 works of art under this program. These works, along with historic and donated works of art, make up the City’s Public Art Collection.
The artworks acquired through the Public Art Program are selected through a public process that includes citizens, artists and design professionals. Each public art project is specific to its location and each selection panel is unique. Panel members are charged with identifying works that speak to a location, group of people or time in history. Each selection panel is asked to select works that represent Denver and identify artists that can create works of art that engage the viewer, inform the visitor and add vitality to Denver's cultural landscape.
Denver's Public Art Program is administered by the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs and overseen by the Denver Commission on Cultural Affairs. The Denver Commission on Cultural Affairs is a citizen group appointed by the Mayor to advise the City on arts and cultural issues.
Denver