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The State of Colorado, in recognition of its responsibility to create a more humane environment of distinction, enjoyment and pride for all of its citizens and in recognition that public art is a resource which stimulates the vitality and economy of the state's communities created the Art in Public Places Act in 1977. This requires the allocation of one percent of capital construction funds for new or renovated state buildings for the acquisition of works of art for the project site.  To view our recent public art committees click here.

The Art in Public Places Program is administered by the Colorado Creative Industries.

Current Projects

Department of Human Services - Domiciliary Renovation Homelake State Veterans Center

The facility has been caring for veterans, their spouses, widows, widowers and Gold Start parents for over 120 year. Kevin Shaffer will install an exterior sculpture.  Project Update.

Colorado State Patrol - Alamosa Regional Communications Center

The new State Patrol office in Alamosa is a 7,000 sq. ft. facility and includes Tropper administrative and support services as well as a 911 Center. There is also a public meeting/training room to be shared with Trinidad State Jr. College. Mark Leichliter will install an exterior sculpture.
Project Update.

Adams State College-Plachy Hall Renovation, Alamosa

Plachy Hall is an important educational building on campus as well as a public facility used by the citizens of the San Luis Valley. The new addition will have a lobby, hall of fame lecture hall, weight room and a human performance lab. Andy Dufford was selected to create the artwork.
Project Update.

Auraria Higher Education Complex Science Building Addition, Denver

The Science Building includes classrooms and labs for biology and chemistry, research labs, faculty offices and a green house. It will also house the math and computer science programs. Recently five artists were selected to present a design proposal. Project Update.

Colorado Mental Health Institute of Pueblo - Institute for Forensic Psychiatry

The Institute for Forensic Psychiatry is a place for hope, recovery, healing, inspiration, and comfort. Art will be an integral part of the lives of the patients and staff. The nearly 200,000 square-foot building will function like a self-sustaining community. Four artists were selected to create artwork throughout the building. Art installations were completed in May, 2009. Project Update.

Colorado School of Mines - Center for Learning and Technology Media, Golden

The Center for Technology and Learning Media II (CTLM II) project is a 24,000 sq. ft. addition to the main laboratory building that was completed in 2001.  The building is designed to house the computer facilities and support program for the entire campus. Douglas Kornfeld of Massachusetts, was commissioned to create the Gordian Knot.  Installed June, 2008. Project Update.

Colorado School of Mines-Green Center Renovation, Golden

The construction of a new elevator shaft generated the funds for an integrated piece of artwork on its exterior. Colorado artist Ken Williams was commissioned to create Geophysics. Installed August, 2008.
Project Update.

Colorado State University Fort Collins-Diagnostic Medicine Center

This facility is the outreach arm of the university to the community, the state, the region, and the world. They receive over 400,000 specimens a year from all over the world. As a compliment to the architecture, the art is intended to offer the impression of the facility as a place of competence, comfort and inspiration. David Griggs was commissioned to design and create integrated artwork
for the building. DMC to open January, 2010. Project Update.

Colorado State University Fort Collins-University Center for the Arts

The University Center for the Arts houses a concert hall, two theatres, rehearsal and dressing room space, and a music hall. Upon completion this complex will also house faculty offices, classrooms, music practice and dance studios, and several large galleries. Steel Splat by Doris Laughton was installed November, 2007. Project Update.

Colorado State University Pueblo - HPER Building Renovation and Student Recreation Center

When the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Building (HPER) Renovation is complete, it will be include 112,000 total square foot structure serving the academic, recreational, athletic, health and exercise, and intramural programs of the campus while also offering the campus community
a venue for sports and special events. Colorado artist, Ken Bernstein, was commissioned to create
Gateways. Installed August, 2008. Project Update.

Fort Lewis College- Berndt Hall Addition and Renovation,
Durango, CO

Berndt Hall was originally built in 1956 and added on to in the 60’s. The reconstruction will add 30,000 sq. ft. for the biology department which is one of the largest departments on campus. Five artists have been selected to give proposals in the fall of 2009. Project Update.

Lamar Community College- Horse Training Facility, Lamar, CO

This renovation will add more than 14,000 sq. ft. and 30 stalls to accommodate up to 115 horses each semester. Artist Susan Dailey has been commissioned to create artwork for the interior lobby space. To be installed spring of 2009. Project Update.

Mesa State College- Academic Classroom Building,
Grand Junction, CO

The Academic Classroom Building is 80,000 sq. ft. and houses the Business School and Teacher Education programs.  It includes classrooms, lecture halls, a conference room and faculty offices. Seven artists were commissioned to create artwork. Project Update.

Mesa State College- Saunders Building Renovation,
Grand Junction, CO

Saunders Multi-Use Facility houses programs in recreation, athletics, nursing and kinesiology. The current 70,000 sq. ft. will be increased by 180,000 sq. ft. Three artists have been selected to give proposals in the fall of 2009. Project Update.

University of Colorado Boulder- Visual Arts Complex

This complex will house the College of Art and the Art Museum. The 170,000 gross sq. ft. building will be a LEED certified building. The artist team of Andrew Ginzel and Kristen Jones were commissioned to create artwork for the building. Project Update.

University of Colorado at Colorado Springs- Dwire Hall Renovation

The renovated Dwire Hall offers a refined educational environment for students, with reconfigured classroom space and improved information technology services. Mel Ristau was commissioned to create Systems of Interaction. Installed June, 2008. Project Update.

University of Colorado at Colorado Springs- Science and Engineering Building

The Science and Engineering Building at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs brings together the departments of biology, physics, and mechanical and aerospace engineering as well as the National Institute for Science, Space and Security Centers and the CU Institute for Bioenergetics into a single facility. The artist team of
Living Lenses was commissioned to create artwork utilizing a pendulum to be hung in the three-story
lobby. To be installed summer of 2009. Project Update.

University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora

The design and planning framework of the campus emphasizes connectivity and integration reflecting the theme of interdisciplinary education, research and patient care.  Buildings forming two of the ‘commons’ areas, the Research Quad and the Education Quad, are connected with a pedestrian
walkway.  The total population on this campus is expected to be 35,000 people with an additional
30,000 in off-campus areas. Project Update.