Short Description

The Bernalillo County Arts Board solicits a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for artists or artists’ teams for a site-specific, outdoor public art project that will be located at the North Valley Aquatics Center/Raymond G. Sanchez Community Center. The public art project will be completed in two phases, with Phase I installed by May 2025 and Phase II completed by January 2026. The call is open to New Mexico-based artists. The established budget for the project is $75,000, with $35,000 for Phase I and $40,000 for Phase II.

The winning artist or team will work with local schools in the North Valley to help create the final design for the project and implement installation. The project will represent the cultures, heritage and landscapes of Albuquerque and the North Valley. 

Location/Context/History:

The North Valley Aquatics Center/Raymond G. Sanchez Community Center is located at 9800 Fourth Street NW  87114. The new aquatic facility will replace an older pool that was removed in 2010. The facility's new amendments include an outdoor pool, a stand-alone waterslide, and a lobby/check-in area for guests. It will also include an indoor wellness pool, the first of its kind for BernCo, dedicated to therapeutic uses and holistic health. 

The $6.9 million project will be paid for with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, legislative capital outlay grants, and county general obligations bonds. 

Site Details:

The proposed location for the public art project is an outdoor wall on the north end of the new swimming pool. The artwork will be visible from the adjacent soccer field and park as well as to users of the Aquatic Center’s therapy and outdoor pools. The size of the wall where the artwork will be located is approximately 560 square feet (70 feet long by eight feet tall).  The wall will be made of concrete masonry units (CMU). Please refer to the site plan provided. 

Project Intent/Theme:

The project will be culturally relevant and represent the history, heritage, and landscapes of the communities of the North Valley of Albuquerque. The goals of the project are to 1) create a landmark public artwork; 2) involve area youth in the design and implementation of the project; 3) explore the past, present and future identities of the communities in the North Valley.

Media/Style/Size:

The Board seeks artists or artists’ teams working in murals, mosaics, and other large scale public art.  Durability and low maintenance of all materials is required. The artist must ensure that the artwork is protected against graffiti and ultraviolet rays. The artist may create the work using materials including but not limited to durable, graffiti and UV-resistant paint, mosaic, steel or other media. The size of the wall where the artwork will be located is approximately 560 square feet (70 feet long by eight feet tall). 

Project Funds:

$75,000.00 is available to commission the mural from 1% for the Arts, from voter approved general obligation bonds. Available funding for Phase I is $35,000 and an additional $40,000 will available for Phase II in 2025. This amount includes all fees and expenses associated with the project, e.g., materials, equipment, labor, permits, travel, installation, and written and professional photographic documentation of the completed project.

*Timeline:

• January 2, 2024: Call for Art opens
• February 16, 2024: Call for Art closes
• Spring 2024: Jurying
• Summer 2024: Three semi-finalists present designs/concepts
• Fall 2024: Finalist selected
• Winter 2024: Project planning
• Spring 2025: Installation Phase I
• Summer/Fall 2025: Design and Installation Phase II

*Subject to change

Application Requirements

Eligible artist or artist teams must reside in the New Mexico and demonstrate:

·         Ability to complete projects on time and within budget.

·         An understanding of the region and its history and population.

·         Experience with community engagement especially with youth.

Artists will be required to submit the following through the Café website:

1. An artist's statement.
2. A letter of intent detailing: the artist's knowledge of the cultures and communities of the North Valley; a community engagement plan; a brief narrative about the initial concept for the project; and the artist's capacity to implement this project.
3. A current resume.
4. At least 3 but no more that 10 digital images of past work. Artist or artists team may also submit up to one video of a past project.
5. An annotated image key, clearly labeled with your full name and a numerical listing for each image, the title of the work, the media, dimensions, and year of completion.

There is no application fee to submit an application or to create an account on Café.

Please note that all materials must be submitted according to the specifications outlined on the CaFÉ website.

Eligibility Criteria

This is a local call open to New Mexico based artists. No prior experience in Public Art is required to submit to this call.