The Art in Public Places Program of Fort Collins, Colorado, is requesting proposals in an open competition for artists or artist teams to create painted murals or artwork on working upright pianos.

The goal of this project is to create an interactive event where an artist/team works on site in an Old Town location or other APP determined location in Fort Collins. The project is looking for artists who can interact with the community while they are working on the piano and are able to create an exciting artwork to inspire the community. The resulting artful piano will be placed in a public location in Fort Collins, making art and music accessible for the community to enjoy. The project is looking for diversity in styles and concepts for the artwork with a preference for emerging artists, new and exciting ideas, and diverse perspectives.

Please create a concept drawing for the mural. Submit your concept image using the form at the end of this proposal request. We are looking for artwork that has an active composition with strong value contrast, minimizing large open spaces, reducing the opportunity for graffiti. We are looking for a range of themes, techniques, and experience levels. If painted, make the design picture-based, not word-based. Designs that include logos; copyrighted or trademarked images; advertisements; or political, commercial, religious, or sexual themes, symbols, or messages will not be accepted.  Designs should be appropriate for a diverse audience of all ages. The pianos need to function as musical instruments and be easily movable. Selected individuals/teams will receive an honorarium.

The artist will be required to create art on the piano in an Old Town location during the project period from May to October. Each artist will have up to 20 days to complete their artwork, which must include weekends. We are looking for artist(s) who can interact with the community while they are working on site. 

The pianos will be in a variety of sizes. The back of the piano will be covered with plywood, providing a solid surface on which to work. The pianos will be sanded in preparation for the artist’s artwork. The artist will need to prime the surface with provided primer. All surfaces of the pianos will need to be painted/decorated. The pianos and artwork become the property of the City of Fort Collins. If the piano becomes permanently damaged by weather or other circumstance, it will be removed from the project. Pianos will continue to be reused/recycled and may be repainted at a future date.

Safety & Durability—Design must consider that the work will be situated in a public location and subject to the elements and potential vandalism. It must be durable and piano must remain easily moveable.

Site—Artists will work on the pianos in Old Town, Fort Collins, or an APP determined interior location in Fort Collins. The pianos will then rotate to other locations in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Please visit our website to see our existing piano mural collection:

Pianos About Town Image Gallery