Steamboat Springs Public Art Collection

Public art is more than a pretty object; it is an important community asset. It contributes to a better quality of life for the community by enhancing the visual environment, creating spaces for people to gather, providing landmarks, and contributing to economic development. By creating a sense of place, public art animates our civic spaces.

The Steamboat Springs Public Art Collection – those pieces of public art displayed across the community – are the result of partnerships between the City of Steamboat Springs, Steamboat Creates, Yampa River Botanic Park, private property owners, and donors. A representative sample of the Steamboat Springs Public Art Collection is on this page.

Public Art Policy

It is in the interest of the Steamboat Springs community to publicly display works of art that will be appreciated by the community. The intent of the Public Art Policy is to enable the community to enjoy a collection of works of art in public places, which is educational, attractive to residents and visitors, and of an overall aesthetic quality equal to the excellent international reputation Steamboat Springs enjoys as a community. This policy is intended to guide the City Manager in the administration of public art and to provide for the community’s general understanding of the City of Steamboat Springs’ policies with regard to public art. Contact Caitlin Berube-Smith, Historic Preservation Planner, for more information.

Public Art Definition

Public art is defined in its broadest sense as any original creation of visual art:

Acquired with public monies or a combination of public/private funding;
Donated or loaned to the city’s Public Art Collection;
Privately sponsored artwork that is proposed to be located on publicly owned land.

The public art may be:

temporary or permanent,
located inside or outside of a public building,
located outside on public land.

For the purpose of the Public Art Policy, works of public art may include but are not limited to sculpture, painting, mural, graphic arts, mosaics, photography (film and video), crafts, mixed media, fountains, and earth works and environment installations.

Donations of Public Art to the City

The City of Steamboat Springs is currently accepting proposals for public art to be placed on select public (city owned) property at this time.

Applicants must submit an application and associated additional information including photographs, site plans, maintenance requirements, and budget, etc. Contact Caitlin Berube-Smith, Historic Preservation Planner, for more information.

Appropriate city departments will be consulted to evaluate the proposal and any potential issues, and a curatorial group will make recommendations to Parks & Recreation Commission and/or City Council for final approval.