AIPP Mission Statement 

The Art in Public Places (AIPP) 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. 

Project Intent 

The Art in Public Places Program of New Mexico Arts at the NM Department of Cultural Affairs (NMDCA), in collaboration with the NM Museum of Natural History and Science seek up to 15 artists to create double page coloring book illustrations for the 2026 DCA Activity Book: Unearth A Story. A goal of this project is to encourage arts and culture exploration by all ages through visual arts, science, archaeology, and paleontology. Chosen artists will be commissioned to create a double page spread coloring book illustration depicting a different period in New Mexico from Devonian to Pleistocene and Present Day. The book is a journey across New Mexico through the lens of the NM Museum of Natural History and Science. Readers will join Miss Stephanie on a page turning adventure through the ages discovering long forgotten creatures and landscapes of prehistoric pasts.

Coloring book illustrations must be black and white and approximately 11” x 17” in size (template will be provided), landscape orientation. Any text will be added to each page during final book assembly and design phase. Artists will work with the project committee to select and finalize illustrations. 

Once finalized and assembled, books will be printed and distributed across New Mexico through local libraries and partners. Rural communities will be a priority for distribution. 

ADDITIONALLY: We are seeking 1 artist to design the Book Cover (front and back, double page spread), and 1 artist/children’s book illustrator to design the illustrated characters of Miss Stephanie and children.

Project Amount 

Artists will be paid $2,000 per completed double page spread illustration (approximately 11” x 17”, template will be provided). This amount includes all fees and expenses associated with the project, e.g., materials, equipment, labor, taxes, and travel. 

Selection Process and Criteria 

The Project Committee is made up of representatives from NM Department of Cultural Affairs. Under the guidance of an AIPP Project Coordinator, the Project Committee is responsible for prospectus development, submission review, finalist selection and ultimately selecting the final artists to be awarded. 

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

• The 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 scope.  - (illustrations, sketches, line drawings, environments, illustrations of flora/fauna, for example).

Artists selected for this project will be required to enter into an artist agreement with the State of New Mexico. 

PLEASE DO NOT CREATE AND SUBMIT ARTWORK FOR THIS PROJECT AT THIS TIME. WE ARE ONLY REQUESTING QUALIFICATIONS AND PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED EXAMPLES OF SIMILAR WORK, OR ARTWORK THAT DEMONSTRATES YOUR STYLE AND TECHNIQUE.  

Project Timeline (subject to change): 

September 20, 2024 – Project Announced 

November 2024 – Application Deadline 

December 2024 - Review of Applications by Project Committee 

December 2024 – Notification of Selected Artists 

Spring/Early Summer 2025 – Contract with Selected Artists & Artwork Creation (60 Day Artwork Creation Period)

May – December 2025 – Book Design/Assembly

January – June 2026 - Book Printing & Distribution 

Questions/Follow Up 

Questions regarding the project 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), Wednesday, November 20, 2024 

Application Requirements

Submission Requirements 

PLEASE DO NOT CREATE AND SUBMIT ARTWORK FOR THIS PROJECT AT THIS TIME. WE ARE ONLY REQUESTING QUALIFICATIONS AND PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED EXAMPLES OF SIMILAR WORK, OR ARTWORK THAT DEMONSTRATES YOUR STYLE AND TECHNIQUE.  

Please read the following information carefully as incomplete or late submissions will not be accepted. 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: 

• Artist Statement/Letter of Interest no longer than 5,000 characters (including spaces). Please explain what excites you about this opportunity and how you may approach the project if selected. Describe your work, medium, techniques, cultural background and/or experience that influences your art. 
• Helpful Links. Please provide any website or social media links that will help us learn more about you as an artist and your artistic practice. An extended biography can also go here (up to 5,000 characters, including spaces). 
• Up to ten images of previously completed artwork. When possible, please submit images of artwork similar to the scope of this project (illustrations, sketches, line drawings, environments, illustrations of flora/fauna, for example), otherwise, please include images of your artwork that demonstrates your style, technique, and perspective. Complete image citations will be required; including artwork title, medium, height, width and depth, price or value, year of completion, and project description. Please review and adhere to the Image and Media Preparation page on CaFÉ when formatting your images. 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 applying. 

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

This request for qualifications is open to all artists working the United States, preference will be give to artists living/working in New Mexico. Artists submitting qualifications should demonstrate an ability to create similar work commensurate with the scope of this project. AIPP regulations state that 1% funds may not be utilized 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 NM Department of Cultural Affairs 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 qualifications but may not become employed by NMDCA for the duration of the project.