ART
Animated Public Art
Murals and visual artwork become launch points for motion, sound, artist information, digital layers and interactive storytelling.
Downtown Aurora Colorado Augmented Reality City
A living digital layer over Downtown Aurora.
DACARC connects public art, local history, businesses, youth-created media and community stories to the physical places where people experience Aurora.
Live Pilot • East Colfax & Aurora Cultural Arts District
Overview
Digital experiences placed where Aurora's stories happen.
The Downtown Aurora AR City overlays interactive digital content onto real streets and locations within the East Colfax and Aurora Cultural Arts District area. Visitors use compatible mobile devices to find content connected to murals, historic locations, businesses, community spaces and events.
An AR location might reveal an animated mural, a historical reconstruction, an interview, a 3D scene, a business showcase or a youth-created digital artwork. The goal is to make downtown exploration more interactive while giving local creators and organizations new ways to reach people.
East ColfaxPrimary corridor for current AR City concept development.
Mobile FirstExperiences designed for phones and compatible mobile browsers.
Local ContentBusinesses, art, history, youth media and community stories.
ExpandableNew locations and creator content can be added over time.
What Visitors Can Experience
More than one kind of augmented reality.
Different locations use different access methods depending on the story, environment and visitor experience.
HIS
Historic Reconstructions
Visitors can view reconstructed buildings, archival material, photographs and location-specific stories where historic events occurred.
BUS
Business Showcases
Storefronts and printed targets can connect people to products, promotions, videos, menus, booking pages and digital business information.
YTH
Youth-Created Media
Students and emerging creators can contribute digital murals, animation, video, 3D scenes and neighborhood storytelling projects.
EVT
Events & Live Updates
AR signs and locations can connect visitors to performances, public programs, event information and time-sensitive community content.
MAP
Trails & City Crawls
Multiple AR checkpoints can be connected into themed walking routes with clues, discoveries, check-ins and reward-based exploration.
Implementation & Technology
Location-aware AR with multiple ways to enter an experience.
The current DACARC concept uses mobile-friendly technology and combines location, visual recognition and web-based delivery so each installation can use the method best suited to the site.
GPS and location-based placementDigital checkpoints and scenes tied to geographic locations.
Image tracking and visual markersMurals, posters, signage and printed materials used as AR targets.
3D models and animated scenesOptimized digital assets placed into real-world viewing environments.
Video, audio and historical overlaysMedia content connected directly to locations and physical objects.
Creator and business workflowsWeb-based tools and content workflows support ongoing additions and updates.
Four-Phase Rollout
Build the district in stages, test it in the real environment.
The public DACARC plan uses a phased rollout so locations, tracking and content can be validated before broader expansion.
PHASE 01
Scan & Map
District scanning, mapping, photography and reference capture establish the physical foundation for AR placements.
PHASE 02
Prototype
Build sample scenes, test GPS and visual tracking, review mobile loading and validate the visitor experience.
PHASE 03
Public Rollout
Install public access points, signs and active AR locations while adding business, art and community content.
PHASE 04
Expand
Add new creators, locations, seasonal experiences and updated content as the city layer grows.
Themed Experiences
Turn a walk through Aurora into an interactive route.
DACARC can connect individual AR locations into larger experiences that encourage people to move between public art, businesses, history and community destinations.
Historic AuroraLocation-based stories and digital reconstructions of landmark buildings.
Colfax StoriesInterviews, local business history and neighborhood voices tied to East Colfax locations.
Youth Futures WalkYouth-created murals, animation, 3D content and future-focused storytelling.
Aurora City CrawlArt stops, food discoveries, local shops, AR checkpoints and rewards connected into one route.
Collaboration
An AR City depends on people who already know the city.
Local knowledge determines which stories, locations and experiences matter. DACARC is designed to grow through community and creative collaboration.
Local Businesses
Storefront experiences, promotions, city-crawl stops, product demonstrations and visitor information.
Artists & Cultural Organizations
Public art, exhibitions, artist stories, cultural programming and digital creative experiences.
Youth & Education Programs
Hands-on opportunities to learn AR, 3D media, storytelling, design and digital production.
Community Collaborators
Residents, historians, nonprofits, event organizers and neighborhood partners contributing places and stories.
Add to the AR City
Have a location, business, mural, story or event that belongs in DACARC?
Connect with the DACARC team to discuss a new AR experience, city-crawl stop, business activation or community story.
Downtown Aurora, Colorado
1445 Dayton St, Suite 100
Aurora, CO 80010
Info@dacarc.org
720-288-1640
720-582-2581