To: Members of the Public Art Commission
From: Maia Yates, Staff Liaison
Title
Douglas County Art Encounters - Submissions Review for 2026-2027 Program
Body
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Executive Summary
Douglas County Art Encounters is a year-long outdoor sculpture program that places temporary public art installations in highly visible locations across Douglas County communities, including Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Parker and Roxborough. The program is designed to promote public interest in art, foster community pride and encourage visitors to experience civic spaces, parks and retail areas through public art. Sculptures are selected annually by a Public Art Advisory Committee representing jurisdictions across the county, and selected works remain on display for approximately one year. Artists receive a stipend and their works are available for purchase during the exhibition period.
For the 2026-2027 program cycle, submissions have been received and are now available for review by the Public Art Commission. Commissioners are asked to review the submitted sculptures and identify their top selections on the ranking sheet prior to the upcoming meeting. Typically, Castle Rock selects approximately five to seven sculptures each year for placement in public locations such as Butterfield Crossing Park, Festival Park, Triangle Park, the Miller Activity Complex, Cantril School and other parks or civic spaces throughout town.
During the upcoming meeting, the Commission will discuss submissions and establish a ranked list of preferred sculptures. That ranking will then be used during the advisory committee’s selection meeting to determine the final artworks to be installed for the 2026-2027 exhibition cycle, with installations anticipated to begin in spring 2026.The selection meeting is scheduled for Friday, March 13. Installations will begin after contracts with artists are completed through April-May for an early summer program launch.