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Commission recommends artist team Becky Waring Steel and Shannon Geiss for Boulder Valley comprehensive-plan public-art project
Summary
The Boulder Arts Commission recommended an artist team to the city manager for a $20,000 experiments-in-public-art commission tied to the Boulder Valley comprehensive plan community assembly. The selection panel favored the team of Becky Waring Steel and Shannon Geiss for alignment, feasibility and community-engagement plan.
The Boulder Arts Commission on April 23 recommended the selection panel’s top choice — artists Becky Waring Steel and Shannon Geiss — to the city manager for a $20,000 experiments-in-public-art commission. The project will produce a temporary, indoor public-art installation and related community engagement tied to the Boulder Valley comprehensive plan assembly.
Why it matters: The city’s comprehensive-plan process is assembling a 48-person community assembly to study land-use concepts such as 15-minute neighborhoods. The experiments-in-public-art commission is designed to translate and interpret assembly outcomes into accessible, community-facing art and programming.
Panel findings and selection: Staff and the standing public-art selection panel evaluated 21 submissions and shortlisted three finalists. Panel notes, as presented to commissioners, praised Becky Waring Steel and Shannon Geiss for strong alignment with the call’s goals, feasibility for the tight timeline, and a concept combining sculpture with recorded storytelling (described in the packet as "personal geographies"). Other finalists proposed community mosaics and audio-based tin-can-telephone installations; the panel raised feasibility questions about outdoor or semi-permanent components given Boulder weather and permitting.
Vote and next step: A commissioner moved that the process was properly conducted and that the Becky Waring Steel and Shannon Geiss team be recommended to the city manager for approval. The commission voted unanimous in favor and staff will request city-manager approval and finalize a project plan, schedule and indoor venue for the temporary installation.
Implementation details: The commission briefed that the budget for the project is $20,000 and that the artist’s first step will be a project plan and schedule; the installation will be temporary and is expected to include an indoor exhibition and recorded audio elements. Exact venue and dates are to be determined; staff will coordinate with the planning department and community-assembly schedule.
Meeting context: The selection discussion included panel feedback on community engagement approaches and feasibility constraints. Commissioners asked about accessibility, supervision of interactive pieces and how the artist will coordinate with the assembly’s outreach plan. The selection motion asked staff to recommend the team to the city manager.
Ending: The commission approved the recommendation and staff will present the recommendation and project plan to the city manager for final authorization.
