Call Type: Temporary Installations, Adjudicated
Location: Aurora, Colorado

Application Fee: Free

FESTIVAL GOAL
Create an authentically local world-class experience that is affordable and accessible to Aurora, Colorado residents and stimulates community pride.

PROJECT OVERVIEW
Visit Aurora’s Aurora Borealis Festival invites artists to submit proposals for temporary art installations that will captivate and engage festival attendees. We are seeking interactive, light-infused installations (footprints from 10’x10’ or larger) that celebrate the namesake, essence, and spirit of Aurora, Colorado.

• Location: The festival takes place at High Prairie Park at Painted Prairie. This scenic location offers a picturesque setting that combines open natural landscapes with the opportunity for creative outdoor installations, ensuring a seamless blend of art and environment amid stunning natural views. (See attachment A for details).

• Environment: Artists should consider weather elements typical of Colorado during October, including potential for high winds, cool evenings, and sunny days, to ensure installations are designed for durability and viewer comfort.

• Public Access: Installations should be designed to engage a diverse audience, including children and those who use wheelchairs. Consider opportunities for both daytime and nighttime engagement (4pm-10pm). Areas are equipped to handle large crowds, facilitating extensive and inclusive interaction with the public.

ARTIST STIPENDS & MATERIAL COSTS
Selected artists will receive a stipend to be determined based on the nature of the installation. This stipend is the total compensation provided to artists for their work, including labor, creativity, materials, and direct contributions to the festival.

• Large Installations: $5,000 per artist/team for installations that serve as central attractions, requiring advanced technical and interactive elements.

• Smaller/Emerging Installations: $3,000 per artist/team for smaller-scale projects offering innovative or new ideas

• Micro-Grants: Artists are expected to fund material costs through their stipends. Micro-grants are available for additional material support on a needs basis, earmarked at $4,000.

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT BONUS INCENTIVE
Festival attendees will vote for their favorite installations. The top 3 installations will receive the following prizes in addition to their artist stipend:

• 1st Place = $5,000.00

• 2nd Place = $3,000.00

• 3rd Place = $1,000.00

MEDIA COVERAGE & EXPOSURE
Benefit from high-profile media coverage and extensive publicity:

• Westword Magazine and Denver7 Gain visibility through prominent festival sponsors, ensuring broad reach across various media platforms.

• Professional PR Team A dedicated PR team will cover the festival and highlight participating artists, offering interviews, features, and exclusive content, expanding network opportunities and exposure.

• Paid Influencer Program Engage with top influencers attending the festival to share your work with their larger audiences, providing additional exposure and enhancing public interest in your installations.

REQUIREMENTS

• Interactivity Installations must engage and involve the audience in a meaningful way

• Incorporation of Light Use of light as a central element to enhance the aesthetic and interactive nature of the installation

• Theme Projects should embody elements of the northern lights AND/OR the culture, community, and identity of Aurora, Colorado

• Safety & Durability Must be safe for public interaction, all-weather proof, and properly weighted to withstand strong winds

ARTIST RESPONSIBILITIES

• Materials & Crew Artist must supply their own materials and load in/out crew

• Maintenance Artists are responsible for maintaining their installations throughout the duration of the festival

• Power Supply All installations must operate on silent power sources, at the expense of the artist

• Insurance Selected artists will be required to provide proof of general liability insurance in the amount of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million general aggregate and, if required as per the scope of your project, worker compensation insurance and automobile liability coverage.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Interested artists are requested to submit the following as one PDF:

• A detailed proposal outlining your approach to the project, including preliminary ideas for the installation’s design and structure

• A breakdown of estimated costs and timelines

• Information on post-launch support and maintenance offering

• At least three references from past clients, preferably with similar project scopes

EVALUATION CRITERIA

1. Creativity and originality of proposed design

2. Experience and review from previous credits

3. Cost-effectiveness

4. Ability to meet project deadlines

5. Strength of the maintenance and support plan

TIMELINE
All proposals must be submitted in PDF format using the link below by April 25, 2025. Interviews will take place upon receipt of proposal, as needed. A decision will be made via email no later than May 25, 2025. Load In must begin Thursday, October 9, 2025 and be completed no later than Friday, October 10, 2025 at 3:00pm. Load Out must be completed Sunday, October 12, 2025 between 8:00am-6:00pm.