File Photo by Gabriel Christus/Aurora Sentinel
AURORA | The Aurora Art in Public Places commission is taking applications from artists for an outdoor sculpture exhibition on Havana Street.
“The program provides sculptors with a platform to showcase their work, gain recognition and compete for cash awards funded by Havana Business Improvement District,” a statement from the city said.
The city is taking applications for a two-year rotating display at the 13th Art 2C On Havana Street. Aurora’s Art in Public Places is partnering with the Havana Business Improvement District to bring art to one of Aurora’s “most dynamic commercial corridors,” according to a statement from the city.
The application window closes Jan. 30 and will promote 12 selected sculptures installed along Havana Street.
“Art 2C On Havana Street is a signature initiative that enhances the business district, strengthens community identity, and supports artists working in durable, outdoor-appropriate media,” the statement said.
The Colorado Business for the Arts Committee recognized the Art 2C On Havana last Spring with the 2025 Arts and Business Partnership Award, according to the statement.
The sculptures selected for the exhibition will remain installed for approximately two years, with the next cycle scheduled to open in October 2026 and ending in 2028.
Key Details:
- Application deadline: 11:59 p.m. Jan. 30
- Number of works selected: 12 to 13
- Eligibility: Artists residing in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, Kansas and Nebraska are eligible
- Artist stipend: $2,500 for transportation, installation and de-installation
- Cash awards: first place: $1,250; second place: $750; and third place: $500.
- Applications: Submit via the CaFÉ website.
Applicants are allowed to submit up to five sculptures for consideration.
Works must meet the exhibition’s design criteria, including durability, suitability for outdoor conditions and secure installation requirements. Selected artists will coordinate installation in early October 2026, with de-installation expected in mid-September 2028, according to the statement.
“The Art 2C program has become an anticipated part of the Havana Business District, bringing temporary sculpture installations that enrich the streetscape and support the local economy,” the statement said.
The sculptures from the exhibition may be sold to the public and considered for purchase by Aurora’s Art in Public Places Program, according to the statement.
The Art in Public Places Program is an offering of the city’s Library and Cultural Services Department. For more information, visit AuroraGov.org/PublicArt.