LARAMIE, Wyo. – Feb. 10, 2026 – The Wyoming Arts Council is accepting applications for a public art opportunity at the University of Wyoming’s Aquatic Center. The University of Wyoming is constructing a new Aquatic Center on its Laramie campus that will include competition-level swimming and diving facilities. Artwork will be commissioned for a prominent interior wall through the state’s Art in Public Buildings program.

The Request for Qualifications is open to artists through March 2, 2026, with all submissions due via CaFÉ at CallForEntry.org by 11:59 p.m. MST. This national call is open to artists residing in the United States and its territories, with preference given to Wyoming-based artists. Details and entry requirements are available at artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=16670.

The total project budget for artwork, installation, and artist stipend is $90,000. A long interior feature wall leading to the pool from the main entrance has been identified as the primary location for artwork. Artists may propose work that is either two-dimensional or three-dimensional and created in any material except water. Design considerations should reflect themes such as transparency, movement, light, human power, athleticism, speed, and water or rivers, as they relate to swimming. Durable, “touchable” materials are recommended due to high foot traffic, and finished work should not conflict with the building’s architectural materials.

A project committee including Wyoming Arts Council staff, community members, project architects, and facility managers will review submissions and select finalists. Finalists will be invited to develop and present formal design proposals, including budgets and renderings. Artwork installation is planned for January 2027, following scheduled occupancy in fall 2026.

The Art in Public Buildings program, administered by the Wyoming Arts Council, was established in 1991 to set aside a portion of state capital construction funds for commissioning artwork for new or renovated public facilities. Since its inception, more than 200 works of art have been installed in and around public buildings across Wyoming for residents and visitors to enjoy.

Additional information about the Wyoming Arts Council and the Art in Public Buildings program is available at wyomingartscouncil.org.

Figure 1: A rendering of the University of Wyoming’s new Aquatic Center in Laramie. Image courtesy of Arete Design Group.

Contact: Ismael Dominguez, (307) 475-4476; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.