LCLS needs an artist to lead our Summer Reading Challenge Community Art Project
The Laramie County Library System (LCLS) is seeking an artist or team of artists to design and implement a community art project as part of the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge (SRC). The SRC takes place annually from June1—August 15 with the intent of creating a community of lifelong readers, promoting engagement with library services, and combating summer learning loss in students.
The theme of this year’s SRC, Color Our World™, celebrates the ways art enriches our lives. Throughout the challenge, participants of all ages will be invited to explore how the power of art can transform, uplift, and connect us. LCLS will embrace the beauty of art in all its forms to create a summer full of colorful and engaging experiences for everyone.
Proposed projects should tie into the theme of Color Our World™ and must include multiple opportunities for community members of all ages and skill levels to participate. Locations for the project include library buildings in Cheyenne, Burns, and Pine Bluffs. At least one community engagement event must be scheduled in each LCLS location. All mediums and formats of artwork are open to consideration. Components of the project should be suitable for a public space with high pedestrian traffic. Projects both temporary and permanent in nature will be considered. Installation of the artwork and community engagement should take place in the timeframe of early June through mid-August 2025.
This request for proposals is open to artists living in Laramie County. Artists with experience in community engagement are encouraged to apply, as are those who have worked on projects of a similar scope and scale.
This project, funded through an endowment provided by the Laramie County Library Foundation, has a budget in the range of $15,000—$25,000 depending on scope of work and number of artists involved. The budget includes all costs associated with the project, including but not limited to artists’ fees, travel costs, supplies, and materials.
Artists interested in this project should submit a proposal, not more than four pages in length, with the following information:
- Artist(s) bio, including relevant experience creating public art
- Overview describing artist’s vision for and interest in the project
- Sample timeline for work, including schedule of community participation opportunities at all LCLS library locations.
- Detailed project description, including format of artwork and how community engagement will be conducted
- Project budget broken out into cost of supplies and materials and fees to be paid to the artist(s).
- Optional drawing or other rendering of proposed artwork
Proposals should be submitted by email to Blithe McAndrew, LCLS Events & Exhibitions Manager at bmcandrew@lclsonline.org by 5:00 p.m. Monday, April 14, 2025.
A selection committee of library employees and community members will award the project by May 1, 2025.