Public Art Project Manager - Denver Arts and Venues

City and County of Denver • Denver, CO

8d • $68,773 - $113,476 • Hybrid

About The Position

About Our Job We anticipate this posting to be open through 11:59pm on 02/15/2026. To be considered for this position, you must include the following on your job application (upload the attachment(s) to the Resume/CV section on the My Experience tab): Resume Cover Letter Three References Note: this position is dependent on bond funding and limited to a six-year term. However, the position may be extended beyond that time depending on funding. With competitive pay, great benefits, and endless opportunities, working for the City and County of Denver means seeing yourself working with purpose - for you, and those who benefit from your passion, skills and expertise. Join our diverse, inclusive and talented workforce of more than 11,000 team members who are at the heart of what makes Denver, Denver. The budgeted salary range for this position is $68,773.00 - $85,000.00. What We Offer The City and County of Denver offer competitive pay commensurate with education and experience. New hires are typically brought into the organization between $86,634 and $114,790. We also offer generous benefits for full-time employees which include but are not limited to: A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service 457B Retirement Plan 140 hours of PTO earned within first year + 12 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday, 1 Wellness Day and 1 volunteer day per year Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date Location This position will work out of our offices at 1245 Champa Street. The City and County of Denver supports a hybrid workplace model. In this position you will work in person at least 3 days per week with 2 days remote (depending on project and work requirements). Frequent visits to project sites around the City are required. Employees must work within the state of Colorado on their off-site days. For information about Denver Arts & Venues Denver Public Art, visit our websites at http://www.artsandvenuesdenver.com and www.DenverPublicArt.org Denver Arts & Venues is seeking a Public Art Project Manager with excellent management, organizational and communication skills to join its dynamic and thriving Public Art Team. The primary function of this position is to manage all stages of numerous public art projects including public art selection and installation per Denver’s 1% for Public Art Ordinance and policy, which allocates funds for public art on capital improvement projects equal or greater than $1 million. This individual will manage a portfolio of public art projects start to finish, with specialties in community-based art selection, group facilitation, public presentation, construction management, and art installation. This individual will shepherd each project through complex City processes including Commission approval, procurement, contracting and permitting which require a high degree of detail-oriented administrative work, following guidelines and patience. This is a full-time position with benefits and reports to the Public Art Program Manager. Denver Public Art was established through an executive order by Mayor Federico Peña in 1988 and was adopted into Denver’s Revised Municipal Code in 1991 [DRMC 20-85, et seq.]. The ordinance allocates 1% of capital improvement projects equal or greater than $1 million for the inclusion of new public art. Since 1988, the City of Denver has invested more than $45 million in its public art collection with more than 450+ new installations in addition to approximately 100 historic and donated works. Denver Arts & Venues (DAV) is the City and County of Denver agency responsible for overseeing Denver Public Art. DAV is also responsible for operating some of the region’s most renowned facilities, including Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex, Colorado Convention Center, Denver Coliseum, McNichols Civic Center Building and Theatre at Loretto Heights. DAV is committed to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion as a fundamental guiding value and a practice woven into all of our strategies, initiatives, and decision-making processes. This includes the public art process. To address historic inequities and systemic racism, the City’s Equity Platform is focused on BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) and other historically marginalized communities, including but not limited to people with disabilities and LGBTQIA2S+. Ensuring meaningful representation from historically untapped and under resourced communities is essential to these practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Arts, Project Management, Public Administration or a closely related field.
• Three (3) years of professional and technical level experience in Public Art, Arts Administration, Placemaking or a closely related field.
• One (1) year of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post-high school education
• Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Strong knowledge of Public Art, Arts Administration, Placemaking and or Art/Design
• Experience with project management and construction
• Ability to handle high volume of concurrent tasks with great attention to detail
• Skilled in public speaking with exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• Strong skills in problem solving
• Knowledge of budgeting principles and practices
• Knowledge of various types of contracts, techniques for procurement and contracting, and contract negotiation and administration, preferably in governmental setting
• Technical knowledge in construction, fabrication, art and design
• Experience with collections management and databases
• Experience with contract management
• Experience with and understanding of Denver’s diverse communities and demonstrated ability to engage with and develop relationships with these communities
• Knowledge of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) principles
• High proficiency with Microsoft and other software applications
• Valid Driver's License, as this role requires travel around the metro area

Responsibilities

• Project Research Conduct research on assigned projects to develop a comprehensive work plan for each artwork, including detailed knowledge of parent project, public engagement, budget, timeline, location, and scope.
• Manage/Facilitate Public Selection Process Utilizing principles of public engagement, equity, diversity and inclusion, work with stakeholders to establish unique community engagement process and selection panels that will create goals for the project and selection of an artist/artwork. Design and execute community engagement strategies, meetings, systems and procedures for applicable projects. Facilitate the public selection process with professional consultation and expertise regarding artwork, artists, community research and public process ensuring that is it transparent, fair and effective.
• Administration, Procurement and Contracting Draft and publish Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) and Requests for Proposals (RFPs) in collaboration with selection panels Facilitate several meetings with artist vendors and stakeholder groups, and assist them with developing their project proposals Initiate and manage complex project contracts and budgets including regular communication with City’s Department of Finance and DAV Finance division, administering for compliance. Budget management: plan, execute, and manage all individual project budgets, including project contingency. Invoice management: Submit for payment and track vendor invoices. Collect and submit all materials necessary for artists’ contracts and negotiate terms in partnership with City Attorney’s office. Ensure contract compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies including Prevailing Wage and Denver Small Business Opportunity program. Recommend feasible solutions in public art project areas that require attention or change and implement approved recommendations. Implement procedures for evaluating effectiveness of the public art project management area, ensuring compliance with the 1% Public Art Ordinance and applicable laws and policies, and assist in establishing processes and controls to ensure compliance. Work with artist and Public Art Maintenance team members to ensure documentation of materials and comprehensive maintenance plan are in place prior to acceptance of artwork.
• Collaboration and Communication with Stakeholders Serve as liaison with local community groups, and other project-specific external stakeholders. Work in partnership with City agencies such as the Denver Department of Transportation & Infrastructure (DOTI), Denver Parks & Recreation (DPR), Denver Department of Finance and Bond team on project evaluation, approval, and integration. Work in partnership with DAV agency teams including leadership, finance, marketing and capital projects to ensure coordination and completion of all projects on a defined timeline. Liaise with members of City Council and district staff to develop plans and processes for projects within each district and to keep them informed throughout the project.
• Presentations and Public Speaking Prepare and present historical research findings, design documents, and other materials and reports for project meetings. Give professional presentations of each project to the Public Art Committee, Denver Commission on Cultural Affairs, agency leadership, and other stakeholders including development of all presentation materials.
• Artist Support Orient and provide technical support to artists during the application process, with particular emphasis on new and emerging artists in the public art field. Provide technical assistance to artists through city contracting process and policy, design development, fabrication, construction, and installation of projects. Conduct site visits during fabrication process as needed to ensure the project will meet established goals. Plan and provide onsite staffing for workshops, dedications, public outreach and similar events in service of project goals.
• Construction/Installation Submit and obtain (or assist artists in submitting) all necessary permits and approvals required for city installation and construction projects. Provide architects, designers, and engineers consultation, coordination and guidance through the artwork development and installation process. Oversee artwork construction and onsite project installation in close coordination with parent projects. Use problem solving skills to assess and address any project difficulties or delays that occur.
• Project Reporting Work with agency marketing to develop and disperse public announcements, social media posts, news releases, invitations and collateral material related to the project. Keep supervisors and leadership informed of all significant project milestones, delays, concerns and developments. Provide timely weekly, monthly and annual reports on projects and processes for various stakeholders.
• Other Archive all project information in collection database. Develop and execute special research projects, policies, or events, as needed. Work on agency and Citywide initiatives, projects and committees as assigned. Engage in professional development and stay abreast of knowledge about the Public Art field. Ability to work some nights and weekends. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service
• 457B Retirement Plan
• 140 hours of PTO earned within first year + 12 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday, 1 Wellness Day and 1 volunteer day per year
• Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level