The Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum Temporary Art Project is an opportunity offered under the City of Albuquerque Public Art In-Sight Temporary Art program. This project aims to activate the Balloon Museum’s celebration of the 2023 Annular Eclipse which will take place during the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® – a late fall event that attracts hundreds of thousands of fans from around the world. The Balloon Museum is located at the center of the eclipse path where maximum obscuration of the Sun in Albuquerque will be at 10:35 am. 

Project Intent and Theme: Four (4) primary sites  have been identified for digital, light projections, 2D and 3D art and more, but other sites may be available. Artists are encouraged to develop conceptual proposals around themes that include science, flight, exploration and astronomy, as the temporary artwork will be on display for the duration of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, October 7-15. Daily Balloon Fiesta events begin pre-dawn, with evening events most days, creating an opportunity for projects that can be enjoyed in both dark and daylight hours. Artists are encouraged to explore mediums that capture the awe and beauty of the above-mentioned themes. Four (4) artists and their projects will be selected. All projects will be promoted as part of the In-Sight Temporary Public Art program and documented photographically for inclusion in the City’s permanent collection. 

Project Timeline:

• Friday, May 5th, 2023, 11:59 pm Mountain Time: Artist proposals due
• Week of May 8th, 2023: Artist Selection Committee selects artists
• Monday May 22nd, 2023: Artists notified
• May - September 2023: Installations fabricated
• Week of September 25th, 2023: Artwork installed at Balloon Museum sites and tested for activation on October 7th
• October 7th-15th, 2023: Balloon Fiesta
• October 14th, 2023: Annular Eclipse at 10:35 am with artists panel discussion following the eclipse

Site Information: The Balloon Museum is situated southeast of Balloon Fiesta Park. Thousands of guests visit the Balloon Museum during the 9-day festival to learn about the history, science and art of ballooning as well as enjoy the views of Balloon Fiesta Park. Artwork must be proposed for one of the four (4) available sites as described in the attachment below. Artists are allowed to consider all sites. Proposals can also be made for sites not listed on the attachment but must be approved by the Balloon Museum, which is hosting the proposed artwork. Placement and installation of approved projects will be overseen by the Public Art Program staff. Artists are allowed to make up to two proposals.

Primary sites at Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum.

Proposal Review: All proposals will be reviewed in-depth and each site will be discussed by a Selection Committee comprised of Albuquerque Arts Board members, Balloon Museum staff, NASA, NOAA and/or NM Tech administrators. 

Liability and Documentation: Responsibility for the artwork, including travel, materials and installation, is assumed by the artist. Artists will need to sign a loan agreement. The City will not own any materials utilized for the installations. 

Artists are required to submit a set of professional quality photographs of the installed/activated temporary public artwork and a <1,000 word project description to the Public Art Program project coordinator, within 30 days of the project’s completion. Artists are encouraged (but not required) to submit video, drawings and/or other media documenting the project. 

Notification: All selected artists will be notified by email by Monday, May 22nd 2023.

Media/Press Releases: The Department of Arts & Culture, the Balloon Museum and the Public Art Program will promote the Balloon Museum art installations through various press networks, social media, and public mailing lists. The Public Art Program must be notified of any artistinitiated media releases prior to distribution. All publicity must acknowledge that the project is funded by the Albuquerque Public Art program with support from the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum. 

Payment: Payment will be made to artists in two phases: 85% of the project amount upon signature of the loan agreement, and the remaining 15% of the project amount upon the Public Art Program’s receipt and approval of the project narrative and professional quality photographic documentation of the temporary installation. 

Submission Deadline: The deadline for proposals is Friday, May 5th, 2023 at 11:59 PM MST. Late and incomplete applications will not be considered.

Application Requirements

Submission Materials – Due by Friday May 5th, 2023 11:59 pm MST: 

● Resume, including relevant work history (no more than 3 pages; PDF format) 

● 5-10 images of previous work (1MB max each, JPG format) with image key including title, date, dimensions or duration, and up to 150 words of additional information. 

● Site Request: proposed site for the installation project, or the top 2-3 sites if not site-specific. 

● Project proposal including a description of the work, its conceptual intent, how the project engages the site; a site-specific preliminary sketch or digital mock-up is optional but encouraged. Please note whether the proposed project currently exists or if it is a new idea. (2-3 pages, PDF format). 

● A proposed budget of anticipated expenses, not to exceed $10,000 (PDF). 

For technical questions or issues, email: publicart@cabq.gov. Emails regarding technical issues received after 5:00 pm the day of the deadline may not receive support or a reply before the deadline.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility and Funding: Eligible artists must reside in the US and be 18 years of age and older. Awards are in the amount of $10,000 and should be used by the artist to cover all materials, equipment, transportation, labor, travel and artist design fee.