Denver’s Public Art Program was established in 1988 as an Executive Order under Mayor Federico Peña. 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 more than 150 works of art under this program. The artworks created
through this 1% fund, along with historic and donated works of art, make up the city’s 300+ piece Public Art Collection. From “Blue Mustang” at Denver International Airport to “I See What You Mean” (the Big Blue Bear) at Colorado Convention Center, many of these pieces have become iconic parts of the Denver landscape. 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.
