Beth Lighthouse working on her Transformer Cabinet Mural in 2025.

The City of Fort Collins Art in Public Places (APP) Program is celebrating 20 years since completing its first Transformer Cabinet Murals in Tenney Court. To celebrate this anniversary, APP would like to introduce new artists to the opportunity to paint murals on cabinets in the Fort Collins community. For 2026, the APP Program is looking for new/emerging artists that haven’t previously completed a Transformer Cabinet Mural in Fort Collins to apply. Artists who have previously completed transformer cabinet murals with the City of Fort Collins are not eligible in 2026. We hope you will apply again in the future.

APP is requesting artist qualifications in an open competition for artists/teams to create painted murals on select electrical equipment (transformer cabinets) sited within the City of Fort Collins. Murals will be painted in July and August 2026. The goal of the project is to help mitigate graffiti on these structures and to make them artful objects for the community to enjoy.

This project is open to all artists/teams that reside or have a current studio space within the Growth Management Area of Fort Collins, Colorado. Deadline: March 4, 2026 by 5:00 p.m.

If you are interested in painting a Transformer Cabinet Mural in 2026, come to our informational sessions to learn more about the process.

Virtual Presentation and Q&A
Wednesday, February 11, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., Virtual.
This session includes a presentation about the application and review process. Program staff answers questions at the end of the session. Event Info.

In Person Open House
Wednesday, February 25, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m., Center for Creativity, 200 Mathews St., Fort Collins, CO 80524
This is a drop in session. Program staff will provide information about applying for this opportunity and other current opportunities available to artists, as well as the program in general. Staff will answer questions about the Transformer Cabinet Mural application and review process one on one. Event Info.

Have Questions? Contact Libby Colbert at lcolbert@fortcollins.gov.

The City’s Streets and Engineering Departments work to provide safe pedestrian access by creating new pedestrian routes as well as improving existing areas. Working with Art in Public Places they place 16" × 16" granite pavers sandblasted with youth drawings into sidewalks as part of those projects. The artwork is a signature piece in the city and be highly visible to the public. Since the project started in 2002, 300 pavers have been installed

Each year, the City requests black and white line drawings from artists aged 3 to 18 years old. While past submissions have been due in spring, this year the deadline will move to October. The call will be posted this summer. Also, special this year, the program is asking for themed artwork that celebrates the 150th anniversary of Colorado’s statehood or the 250th anniversary of United States Declaration of Independence. Both abstract and representational or drawings will be considered.

The selected designs will be sandblasted into 16" × 16" granite pavers and placed in various sidewalks throughout Fort Collins.

The Gallery at the Center for Creativity is open and ready to host your next art exhibit. The newly renovated space is designed to showcase your creative works. Housed in what was the original 1904 Carnegie Library reading room, the gallery features arched windows, historic elements, and original pine flooring. 

The gallery is available to rent from one week up to three weeks to show both 2D and 3D art (pedestals are available). You can rent the full gallery or it can be divided into three smaller spaces.

Public Gallery hours are 12:00pm–6:00pm, Wednesday-Sunday, when an exhibit is installed.

2026 Natural Areas Explorer: The City of Fort Collins Natural Areas invite artists to share what makes you love natural areas and how these outdoor spaces shape your life and community in Fort Collins. Submit artwork that reflects your personal or collective experiences in Fort Collins Natural Areas, whether through fun activities, beautiful views, wildlife encounters, conservation success stories, or moments of community connection and stewardship. A limited number of submissions will be selected. Selected artists will have the opportunity to display their work in the Old Town Library during May and June for the community to enjoy! (this exposure opportunity will take the place of financial compensation). Submit finalized artwork proposals by emailing them to Lauren Hennessey at Lhennessey@fortcollins.gov. Please only submit finalized works. Deadline: February 6.   

Art in Public Places | Center for Creativity | The Lincoln Center Art Gallery