
A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN

2021 project funded by the City of Durango's Creative Economy Commission, Durango Business Improvement District, La Plata County Airport, the Wells Group and Pediatric Associates of Durango
The Durango Art Brigade is a new temporary public art initiative that promotes Economic Recovery & Resilience, Community Partnerships, Activation of the Social Sphere and Intergenerational Engagement
APPLICATIONS FOR 2021 ARE NOW CLOSED
Durango Creative District, the City of Durango's Creative Economy Commission, Local First, Dumpster Beautification Project and Durango Business Improvement District have formed a partnership in effort to beautify the Durango Creative District through temporary public art. Representatives from each organization and Durango artists have formed a selection committee to release an open call to artists for commissioned projects in the spring/summer of 2021. The application was open during the month of April and concluded on Friday, April 30, 2021.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What does the application process look like for the Durango Art Brigade?
- When applications are open, you review the Available Site List that will be found on this webpage and determine if there any projects that you would like to pursue. If you have an idea for a project that is NOT listed in the Available Site List, you may still propose your concept on this form and our selection committee will review its feasibility with the City of Durango and/or its respective property managers.
- You fill out a linked application form on this webpage.
- Applications will be reviewed, selected and funded based on objective ranking criteria such as approval of concept by business owners/property manager, compatibility with site, appropriate budget, artist/team technical skills, and engaging/interactive concepts.
- If selected, The Durango Art Brigade selection committee will propose a stipend and materials budget to finalist applicants and you will be given the opportunity to accept or deny the offer.
- Artists/artist teams and property managers will sign agreements that detail payment, installation expectations and holding harmless the Durango Art Brigade and its constituents from any damages to your person, your art, or the property during installation. Insurance of any type will not be provided by the Durango Art Brigade or its constituents.
- The artists/artist teams is expected to keep close communication with their respective site manager or property owners throughout their installation process to ensure transparency and promote collaboration. Artists and property managers will identify a timeline for installation/de-installation.
What kinds of art projects are you seeking for this initiative?
Business owners, property managers and others will detail their ideas for what types of art they’d like to see featured in their location. This list will be available on this webpage at the start of the Durango Art Brigade season in 2022.
We are seeking projects that include but are not limited to: Sculptures, window installations, chalk art, interactive 3D art, mini murals, furniture, “green spaces” with plants, light art, beautification of the new downtown “bump-outs” and more!
What will I get paid for my art installation?
Stipends for artists’ time and materials are determined on a project-to-project basis by the selection committee. Depending on the project scope, artists can expect range allocations from $50-$1000 PLUS reimbursement for materials. Finalists will be notified of their acceptance with an offer that can be accepted or declined.
Who can submit a project proposal?
When the Brigade season starts in 2022, this initiative is open for artists and educators of all ages, backgrounds and experience to participate in. If you are an emerging artist/youth/intern, you can indicate this in your application form for an opportunity to volunteer with future finalist projects.
Because the Durango Art Brigade aims to support local artists, the selection committee will prioritize applications from artists living in La Plata county and the Southern Ute Tribe.
If my project is selected, what are my liabilities?
Outdoor installations: In the project application form, you will be asked if you are comfortable with the impermanence of your project. We are seeking projects that the community and visitors can interact with in the public sphere. Depending on the outdoor site, your art may be subject to weather and public interaction.
We will connect artists with their respective property managers to address individual solutions for monitoring the final art installations, but neither the property manager or the involved partners of the Durango Art Brigade will be held liable for damaged or lost artworks.
Indoor Installations: If you are concerned with the impermanence of your work, please specify that you would like to install your artwork in an indoor space only where your artwork will be protected within the site’s windows.
What criteria is the Selection Committee using to review projects?
The Durango Art Brigade selection committee is using pre-formatted criteria to make the review and finalist process as objective as possible. Our selection criteria includes:
- Compatibility with site
- Engaging/interactive concept
- Meets a reasonable budget
- Project can be fabricated within a one-month timeframe
- Business owner/property manager supports concept
Are you accepting youth volunteers?
Yes! During the Brigade season, we will be seeking youth volunteers to help finalists execute their projects. While the scope of each project will be dependent on selected projects, we are looking to pair 1-2 youth volunteers with each finalist.
If you would like to add your name to the youth volunteer list, please email [email protected]
2021 SELECTED PROJECTS
Photos courtesy of Scott DW Smith, Imagesmith Photo. Please credit photographer when re-posting.
MURAL AT BIG BITE GRAPHICS
150 CR 250
ARTIST: MICHAEL TESKE
Photo by Scott DW Smith, Imagesmith Photo
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SCULPTURE AT DURANGO EARLY LEARNING CENTER
890 E 3RD AVENUE
ARTIST: JEFF GLODE WISE

Photo by Scott DW Smith, Imagesmith Photo
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INSTALLATION AT DURANGO NATURAL FOODS CO-OP
575 E 8TH AVENUE
ARTIST: DAN GROTH
Photo by Scott DW Smith, Imagesmith Photo
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PLANTER MURAL AT MARIA'S BOOKSHOP
960 MAIN AVENUE
ARTIST: LAURIE CULLUM
Photo by Scott DW Smith, Imagesmith Photo
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TEMPURA MURAL AT PET HAUS
1444 MAIN AVENUE
ARTIST: NATALIE MITCHELL
Photo by Scott DW Smith, Imagesmith Photo
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WOOD ART INSTALLATION AT LA PLATA COUNTY AIRPORT
1000 AIRPORT ROAD
ARTIST: CAPPY WHITE
Photo by Scott DW Smith, Imagesmith Photo
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PAINTING AT LA PLATA COUNTY AIRPORT (SOLD)
1000 AIRPORT ROAD
ARTIST: SHAWN LEE BEGAY
Photo by Scott DW Smith, Imagesmith Photo
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PAINTING SERIES AT LA PLATA COUNTY AIRPORT
1000 AIRPORT ROAD
ARTIST: CINDY COLEMAN

Photo by Scott DW Smith, Imagesmith Photo
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TEMPURA MURAL AT STILLWATER MUSIC
1316 MAIN AVENUE, SUITE C
ARTIST: BAILEY ELDER

Photo by Scott DW Smith, Imagesmith Photo
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NATIVE PLANT ILLUSTRATIONS AT ART SUPPLY HOUSE
24 TOWN PLAZA, UNIT B
ARTIST: CAMELA MANHEIMER

Photo by Scott DW Smith, Imagesmith Photo
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MURAL AT BIG BITE GRAPHICS
151 CR 250
ARTISTS: ZYON FRAUEN AND ELISE BOULANGER

Photo by Scott DW Smith, Imagesmith Photo
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PHOTOGRAPHY PRINTS AT A SHARED BLANKET
104 E 5TH STREET
ARTIST: EMILY CISZEK

Photo by Scott DW Smith, Imagesmith Photo
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GLASS MOSAICS AT ART SUPPLY HOUSE
24 TOWN PLAZA, UNIT B
ARTIST: JANET KENNA

Photo by Janet Kenna