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 Eastern New Mexico University, Portales seek to commission and artist/artist team to create and install artwork in the newly renovated Roosevelt Science Center on the campus. These artworks should require low maintenance and will need to withstand a permanent installation indoors in one or more of the three identified areas within the building. The LSC is primarily interested in two-dimensional artworks of all media suitable for installation on wall surface including, but not limited to, weaving/fiber, installations, painting, photography, drawing, printmaking, new media, and more. Style can range from representational to abstract in nature, but artwork themes should reflect the nature of the building’s science-centered focus. Artists should consider the locations available for installation and how to best utilize one or more spaces to place their work.

Artwork of the following nature will not be considered:

• NO murals or artwork directly drawn/painted onto the walls will be considered.
• Artwork must fit the allotted installation area. Please see site plan for measurements and more site details.
• No artworks incorporating water features or elements will be considered.
• Artworks may be kinetic but simplicity of maintenance is important.

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.  

Site Information

Located on the campus of Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, NM, The Roosevelt Science Center building was originally constructed in 1953 as a men's residence hall. In 1995, an addition was added, and the facility was re-purposed as the Roosevelt Science Center with a total square footage of approximately 42,000 square feet.

The building currently houses all of the university’s science department faculty offices, classrooms, labs and interpretive learning exhibit functions. Various courses and labs taught are in biology, chemistry, ecology, fisheries and wildlife, microbiology, physiology, entomology and pre-med.

Project Amount

$132,500 is available to commission an artist/artist team to create public artwork for 1 to 3 designated areas within the Roosevelt Science Center, 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 (ENMU Portales): 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(s) or artist team(s) 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 ENMU Portales 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(s) or artist team(s) 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.

Project Timeline (subject to change):

September 26, 2024 – Project Announced

November 26, 2024 – Application Submission Deadline

December 2024 - Jurying of Submissions by LSC

January 2024 – Notification of 5 Finalists

April/May 2025 – Finalist Presentations (in-person on ENMU campus in Portales)

May 2025 – Finalist(s) Selection Notification

Questions/Follow Up

Questions regarding this opportunity should be directed to Claude Smith, Public Art Program Coordinator, at 505-695-6913, email: Claude.Smith@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 (MST), November 26, 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.
• Fifteen 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 the United States. Artists submitting qualifications should demonstrate a level of experience and professionalism that is commensurate with the project scope and budget.