AIPP Mission Statement

The Art in Public Places program enriches New Mexico’s public spaces through an innovative and diverse public art collection. Since its inception in 1986, the program has placed more than 3,000 works of art in all of New Mexico’s 33 counties.  Our goal is to reflect the diversity of the arts in New Mexico, the Southwest, and the nation while building a dynamic public art collection for the State of New Mexico.

Through a fair and open public process, committees made up of local and regional representatives work with New Mexico Arts staff to select artwork for their communities. The Art in Public Places program then commissions large-scale projects that are designed for integration directly into the architecture or landscape of a given site, or the program purchases existing original artwork to be placed in or around public buildings permanently or on loan.

Project Intent

The Art in Public Places Program of New Mexico Arts and the Local Selection Committee (LSC) of the City of Gallup seek to commission 1-3 artists/artist teams to create and install site-specific artwork for three designated areas in the lobby of the new Public Safety building. Seeking artwork that will create a warm/comforting and peaceful/serene atmosphere, while corresponding with the existing color palette within the space, for all visitors and staff.  Artwork should respond to and/or recognize the local traditions/cultural heritage of the area, a unique part of NM known for its natural beauty. Audience for this space includes visitors of the Municipal Court/Police Department, city staff, school groups, victims/defendants of crime, family members (including children) attending court, police officers/staff, and juveniles.

Proposed Artwork should incorporate/consider the following:

·         WILL CONSIDER any interpretations from abstract/non-representational to figurative/representational in style

·         WILL CONSIDER any medium, except MURALS DIRECTLY PAINTED ON THE WALL and JEWELRY (please note artwork must be hung on the wall – CANNOT EXCEED 250lb weight limit)

·         MUST contribute to the creation of a warm/welcoming/comforting/calming/reflective/peaceful/serene space

·         SHOULD coincide/compliment current color palette in the space (not clash with the colors currently there; i.e. the tile floor, flagstone pillar, etc.)

·         CAN incorporate personal traditions and cultural heritage

·         CAN incorporate an appreciation of the area, the history of the area, the nature of this area, our landscapes and communities

·         CANNOT contain elements considered violent, derogatory, or culturally insensitive

·         CANNOT incorporate elements requiring access to electrical – No Access to Electricity at these installation sites

·         WILL NOT CONSIDER Kinetic or Interactive artwork

·         WILL NOT CONSIDER artworks incorporating water features or elements

·         Artwork media/construction can be traditional/mixed/experimental in nature, but MUST BE constructed out of materials that will survive a permanent interior installation with exposure to West setting sunlight in the afternoons and high public traffic

·         Artwork MUST fit the allotted installation area.

The resulting artwork(s) will need to withstand a permanent interior installation within the identified areas in the lobby. The LSC is interested in artwork of all media conducive to interior installation with exposure to West setting sun. Artwork should incorporate the theme of ideas described above. Artists should also consider the identified installation locations available and how to best utilize the space: please CLICK HERE for site photos/measurements/details.

The project must be durable, low maintenance, permanent, safe for both children and adults and must meet all applicable code requirements, including ADA compliant.  At the selected artist’s expense, the artwork may require certification by an electrical, civil and/or structural engineer licensed to practice in the state of New Mexico and reviewed by a professional fine art conservator (if applicable).

CLICK HERE to download a PDF with installation site photos/measurements/details.  

Eligibility

This REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS is open to all artists/artist teams currently residing in the Gallup/McKinley County Area or ties to the area. Artists submitting qualifications should demonstrate a level of experience and professionalism that is commensurate with the project scope and budget.

AIPP regulations state that 1% funds may not be spent for artwork created for an institution or agency by an employee of the institution or agency. Qualifications submitted by and on behalf of current employees or family of current employees of City of Gallup or NM Department of Cultural Affairs (NMDCA) will not be considered. Applicants may be required to provide verifiable proof of current employment at the discretion of AIPP Program staff. Past employees are eligible to submit proposals but may not become employed by City of Gallup or NMDCA for the duration of the project.

Project Amount

$115,150 is available to commission 1-3 artists/artist teams to create and install site-specific artwork for three designated areas in the lobby of the new Public Safety building, after finalist presentation fees. This amount includes all fees and expenses associated with the project, e.g., materials, equipment, labor, permits, engineering documents, insurance, taxes, travel, installation, shipping, identification plaque, and written and professional photographic documentation of the completed project. There is no additional funding.  THIS IS A REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS ONLY. DO NOT SUBMIT PROPOSALS FOR ARTWORK AT THIS TIME, PLEASE SEE SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS BELOW.

Selection Process and Criteria

The Local Selection Committee is made up of representatives from the owner/user agency (City of Gallup): Owner Agency representative, User Agency Representative, Architect/Facilities Representative, Local Artist, Local Arts Professional, and Local Project Director. Under the guidance of an AIPP Project Coordinator, the Local Selection Committee is responsible for prospectus development, submission review, finalist selection and ultimately selecting the artist or artist team to be awarded the commission project. Artists may research the project using any resource except for direct discussion with individual members of the Local Selection Committee or the New Mexico Arts Commission.

The selection criteria shall include, but is not limited to:

• The professional qualifications of the artist(s) as evidenced by the supporting materials.
• Proven ability to undertake projects of the described scope.
• Artistic merit and superior caliber craftsmanship as evidenced by the images.
• Suitability of submission to project intent and site.

Up to five finalists will be invited to submit a formal proposal for the project. Finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium for a written proposal, presentation, and a maquette and/or digital rendering of the proposed artwork. One site visit will be required of each finalist to include an in-person presentation of the artwork proposal to the Local Selection Committee and a public presentation at the site. All maquettes, samples and written proposals will become the property of the City of Gallup unless other arrangements have been made in advance.

Additionally, each finalist/team will receive a travel stipend based on mapped mileage according to the following schedule:

$500 for travel and lodging between 50 – 300 miles one-way.

$900 for travel and lodging between 301 – 800 miles one-way.

$1,800 for travel and lodging 801 miles and over one-way.

Artists or artist teams short-listed as finalists for this project will be required to enter into a Finalist Presentation Contract with the State of New Mexico. A sample Finalist Presentation Contract is available upon request.

The artist or artist team that is ultimately awarded the commission project will be required to enter into a Professional Services Contract with the State of New Mexico. A sample Professional Services Contract is available upon request.

Submission Requirements

Please read the following information carefully as incomplete or late submissions will not be accepted. Supplemental information beyond what is requested will not be reviewed by the Local Selection Committee. Failure to provide any of the published requirements could result in disqualification from the competition. Duplicate submissions will not be accepted. All materials must be submitted via CaFÉ (callforentry.org) according to the specifications outlined below:

• An artist statement/letter of interest written specifically to address the following: Describe your artwork/approach/style/perspective/background.
• A current chronological resume or curriculum vitae and/or helpful links to personal website/online portfolio/social media demonstrating relevant work experience, particularly public art, publicly or privately funded. Include any additional information like links to websites or social media that will assist the LSC with learning more about you and your art.
• Ten images and/or videos of artwork PREVIOUSLY created (portfolio) that showcases your artwork/style/perspective. Complete image citations will be required; including artwork title, medium, height, width and depth, price or value, year completed, and description. Please review and adhere to the Image and Media Preparation page on CaFÉ when formatting your images or videos. Tutorials can be downloaded using the links near the bottom of the page. By default, CaFÉ will organize the images in your submission alphabetically. If you wish to present the images to the committee in a different order you must prioritize the images before submitting an application.

Project Timeline (subject to change):

July 31, 2024 – Project Announced

September 4, 2024 - Artist Workshop at ART123 Gallery, Gallup, NM

September 30, 2024 – Application Submission Deadline

October 2024 - Jury of Submissions by LSC

October 2024 – Notification of 5 Finalists

January/February 2025 – Finalist Presentations (in-person at City of Gallup Public Safety Building)

February 2025 – Finalist Selection Notification

Questions/Follow Up

Questions regarding this opportunity should be directed to Meredith Doborski, Public Art Program Director, at 505-396-0326, email: Meredith.doborski@dca.nm.gov

If you would like to have your submission materials reviewed by an AIPP staff person, please make an appointment no less than two weeks prior to the submission deadline. Technical assistance calls increase dramatically during the final two weeks of the open submission period; therefore we cannot guarantee review during the final two weeks of the competition. Submission materials will not be reviewed on the day of the deadline.

Deadline for Submission: Midnight (MDT), Monday, September 30, 2024
 

Application Requirements

Please read the following information carefully as incomplete or late submissions will not be accepted. Any supplemental information/material beyond what is requested will not be reviewed by the Submission Review Committee. Failure to provide any of the published requirements will result in disqualification from the competition. All materials must be submitted according to the specifications outlined on CaFÉ.

• An artist statement/letter of interest written specifically to address the following: Describe your artwork/approach/style/perspective/background.
• A current chronological resume or curriculum vitae and/or helpful links to personal website/online portfolio/social media demonstrating relevant work experience, particularly public art, publicly or privately funded. Include any additional information like links to websites or social media that will assist the LSC with learning more about you and your art.
• Ten images and/or videos of artwork PREVIOUSLY created (portfolio) that showcases your artwork/style/perspective. Complete image citations will be required; including artwork title, medium, height, width and depth, price or value, year completed, and description. Please review and adhere to the Image and Media Preparation page on CaFÉ when formatting your images or videos. Tutorials can be downloaded using the links near the bottom of the page. By default, CaFÉ will organize the images in your submission alphabetically. If you wish to present the images to the committee in a different order you must prioritize the images before submitting an application.

Eligibility Criteria

This REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS is open to all artists/artist teams currently residing in the Gallup/McKinley County Area or have ties to the area. Artists submitting qualifications should demonstrate a level of experience and professionalism that is commensurate with the project scope and budget.