25th Anniversary Mural on the Sand Creek Regional Greenway

Description

25th Anniversary Mural at the Sand Creek Art Walk
Request for Proposal: Community Selected Mural on the Sand Creek Regional Greenway
The Sand Creek Regional Greenway Partnership (SCRGP) Community Mural Committee is inviting proposals from artists or artist teams with experience collaborating with youth and communities. The selected artist will create a mural that spans 225-250 feet in length and 20 feet in height along the Sand Creek Regional Greenway in Northeast Denver. The mural will be located at the Sand Creek Art Walk, near the Smith Road Trailhead at 9450 Smith Road, Denver, CO 80238.
Project Background
The Sand Creek Art Walk is a public art project that celebrates the rich history and natural beauty of the Sand Creek Regional Greenway. Spanning approximately 1,250 linear feet along both the north and south banks of the creek, the murals are painted on wall segments that were once part of the decommissioned Stapleton Airport runway tunnel system. The Art Walk is enjoyed daily by walkers, cyclists, and rollers, and serves as a vibrant destination for school field trips, as well as educational and wellness programs hosted by SCRGP. 
As part of a five-year strategic plan, SCRGP aims to expand the Art Walk to cover the full 3,000 linear feet of concrete walls, adding one new mural each year.
The Sand Creek Regional Greenway, a 13.1-mile urban trail and wildlife corridor, connects the cities of Commerce City, Denver, and Aurora, as well as the counties of Adams, Denver, and Arapahoe. The Mural Committee, composed of local community members including both adults and youth, is excited to guide the mural selection process. Their goal is to create a sense of visibility and representation that reflects what matters most to the community. In line with this vision, we suggest the mural focus on themes of Greenway history and transformation, showcasing the evolving landscape, local wildlife, and the community’s connection to the area.
To kick off this year’s project, a Mural Festival is planned for either September 6 or 13, 2025. The festival will include a community “paint-by-numbers” activity, allowing residents to contribute to the mural’s creation. The selected artist or artist team should be prepared to integrate this one-day engagement into their design process.
For more information about the Sand Creek Regional Greenway and Sand Creek Art Walk, visit:
https://www.sandcreekgreenway.org/
https://www.sandcreekgreenway.org/artwalk - View the existing murals on the Sand Creek Art Walk (scroll down).
Project Timeline
Friday, May 9 - RFP DeadlineMay 12 - 16 - Mural Committee reviews proposals.Monday, May 19 - Invitations sent to the top three (3) selected artists, or artist teams, to submit a detailed mockup of the mural. All artists, or artist teams, who are selected will receive an honorarium for their efforts.Wednesday, June 4 - Top three (3) artists submit detailed mockups of the mural design and budget.June 4 - 9 - Top three (3) artists virtually present their proposals to the Mural Committee.June 9 - 27 - Community voting.Tuesday, July 1 - Artist selected and notified.Week of July 14 - Site visit with Mural Committee at the Sand Creek Art Walk.Early August - Mural Festival (September) - Mural wall prep and festival prep.Saturday, September 6 or 13- Mural Festival with up to 120 participants between 9:00 am to 3:00pm.Saturday, November 1 – Last day for mural and protective coating to be completed.
Scope of Work
The selected artist or artist team will work with the Mural Committee to design and install a mural that meets the following requirements:
Mural size: 225-250 feet long and 20 feet tall.Completion date: November 1, 2025. Last day for mural and protective coating to be completed.Suggested themes:Historical perspective – Highlighting the longevity and evolution of both the Greenway and the organization, emphasizing their shared arc over time.Rebirth – Capturing the spirit of renewal and transformation within the space.Evolution and journey – Reflecting the ongoing changes and development of the Greenway and its surroundings.Connection to nature – Showcasing the unique flora, fauna, and community that the Greenway supports, with an emphasis on local wildlife and natural elements.Layers of interaction – Incorporating interactive elements that invite exploration, engagement, and curiosity, encouraging a deeper connection with the mural. This could include a mechanism or feature that draws people in and enriches their experience.The selected artist, or artist team, will need to be able to work alongside youth and community members.Creating a design that allows the community to participate in a "paint-by-numbers" activity during the Mural Festival that will be scheduled on either September 6 or 13, 2025.
Proposal Requirements
Proposals should include the following:
Provided as one (1) attachment (PDFs preferred) through the Artcall.org submission portal (click register & apply button above):
A portfolio of previous work (3 page max).Three (3) references, including name, relationship, phone number, and e-mail address.Mural concept proposal.Description of concept. This does not need to be highly detailed. (2 page max).Images (no limit). We encourage you to include images to help the committee better visualize your concept.The top three (3) selected artists, or artist teams, will be given an honorarium to further develop their proposed concepts.Statement of interest in the project (1,000 characters max).Statement of experience with youth and/or community OR, if you have not had the opportunity to work with youth and/or community in the past, how you expect to interact with and value youth and community voice in this project (1,000 characters max).Description of how the artist(s) anticipate working within the given timeframe (1,000 characters max).List of any specialized equipment or knowledge required for installation.Statement acknowledging the project’s total budget cannot exceed $39,000 and includes all proposal expenses, including execution of mural, materials, rental equipment, general liability insurance coverage and contingency (if applicable). A detailed budget is only required for the three (3) finalists, to be notified on May 19.
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on the following weighted criteria:
Artistic merit and creativity – 50%Alignment with the themes outlined in this RFP – 20%Project feasibility and timeline - 15%Budget and cost-effectiveness - 5%Experience working with youth and community – 5%Colorado-based artist or team - 5%
Budget and Payment
The project’s total budget cannot exceed $39,000 and includes all proposal expenses, including execution of mural, materials, rental equipment, general liability insurance coverage and contingency (if applicable). A detailed budget is only required for the three (3) finalists, to be notified on May 19.
Payment will be made in installments, with a portion paid upon completion of specific milestones.
Promotional Use of Artwork and Event Images
Photographs of the mural, the Mural Festival, and the artist during the creation of the mural may be used by SCRGP for promotional and fundraising activities.
User Entry Process Tutorial

Questions?  Contact lsboykin@sandcreekgreenway.org