Call Description

AIPP MISSION STATEMENT
The Art in Public Places program enriches New Mexico's public spaces through an innovative and diverse art collection.
Since its inception in 1986, the program has placed more than 2,500 artworks 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.

Please read the following information carefully in order to properly submit artwork.

DEADLINE 11:59 PM (MDT), JULY 1, 2025

PROJECT INTENT
The objective of the Large-Scale Purchase Initiative is to diversify the state's public art collection by purchasing artwork from artists at all stages of their career. All media in all genres, suitable for both interior and exterior display, will be considered. Artwork must be durable, permanent, low-maintenance, and in compliance with ADA guidelines upon installation.

SITE INFORMATION
Artwork will be purchased for publicly accessible buildings throughout the State of New Mexico. The facilities encompass a broad range of use including, but not limited to: amphitheaters, animal shelters, community centers, courthouses, educational institutions, fire stations, healthcare facilities, recreation complexes, rest areas, senior centers, etc. Participating sites will have a total budget equal to 1% of recent capital outlay funds appropriated for new construction or major renovation projects.

PROJECT AMOUNT
Existing artworks that are priced in the range of $50,000-$200,000 and have a minimum purchase price of $50,000 will be considered for this opportunity. Artworks that do not meet the minimum purchase price will be rejected prior to panelist review so PLEASE CONFIRM THAT YOUR PRICES ARE CORRECT PRIOR TO YOUR SUBMISSION. All-inclusive pricing: the price of the artwork must include the following: materials, labor, insurance, taxes, commissions, fees, site preparation, concrete footings, lighting, delivery, travel, installation, museum quality framing under Plexiglas, security-hangers, pedestal for small and large 3-Dimensional works, Plexiglas bonnet for small 3-Dimensional works, project plaque, as well as professional photographic documentation of the artwork. 

Example: If you live in Utah and your artwork sells to the public library in Lordsburg, you are required to travel to the site and complete installation. You may install personally or hire a contractor to complete the installation on your behalf. In either scenario, the price of installation must be included in the overall price of the artwork.

**Please calculate your final artwork price to accommodate for fluctuations in material and/or labor, as price increases will not be allowed after the submission deadline.

Museum quality framing, installation, and project plaques must adhere to AIPP guidelines.

Read the AIPP FAQ

SELECTION PROCESS AND CRITERIA
A Submission Review Committee of artists and arts professionals will score applications based on the selection criteria listed below. All New Mexico Arts public art projects are fair and open competitions; therefore not all applicants who apply will be included in the final pool of artwork shown to statewide Regional Buying Committees. The Regional Buying Committees are made up of representatives from the owner and/or user agencies of eligible sites. This group of individuals will be responsible for selecting the artwork to be purchased and permanently displayed at their facility. Artwork included in the final pool is not a guarantee of sale. 

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

• Demonstrated artist quality (use of media, unique vision, quality of craftsmanship)
• A developed and consistent style
• Perceived fit for permanent installation in a public building
• Ability to Produce and Deliver a High Quality Artwork.

Multiple artwork selection meetings will be held statewide on an on-going basis during the course of this purchase initiative (September 2025 - December 2027). Artwork submitted for consideration does not need to be removed from other sale opportunities, however, if a submitted piece is sold through another venue, the artist or gallery is required to notify New Mexico Arts immediately so the work can be removed from the final pool. Artwork installed at the site must be the same piece selected for purchase by the Local Selection Committee. Substitutions and/or price fluctuations will not be allowed after the submission deadline

Artists/Galleries whose artwork is selected for purchase will be required to enter into a purchase contract with the State of New Mexico. 

Payment will be made upon completion of the terms of the purchase contract. Once Post-Installation Documentation is received by the artist/gallery as outlined in the Purchase Contract, final payment will be processed and issued. On average, the overall acquisition process can take between 2-6 months to complete (notification of selection to payment).
 
PROJECT TIMELINE
May 1, 2025: Project Announced
July 1, 2025: Deadline for Submissions
August 2025: Notification of Finalists
September 2025 - December 2027: Time frame of potential purchases and installation of artwork on a rolling basis

QUESTIONS/FOLLOW UP
Please email or call for assistance or questions:

Claude Smith 
Public Art Program Coordinator | New Mexico Arts
Department of Cultural Affairs
T    505-695-6913
E   Claude.Smith@dca.nm.gov

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: 11:59 PM, TUESDAY, JULY 1, 2025

Application Requirements

Please read the following carefully as incomplete or late submissions will not be accepted. Supplemental information beyond what is requested will not be reviewed by the Submission Review or Regional Buying Committees. Failure to provide any of the published requirements will result in disqualification from the competition. All materials must be submitted according to the specifications outline on CaFE.

Please note that only ONE application per artist will be considered. Galleries are able to create multiple applications for multiple artists they represent. For artists with gallery representation, please coordinate your submission with them as only three artworks from a single artist will be considered. 

Artist Statement - Please provide an introduction to your work, medium, and an explanation of your techniques. You may discuss your conceptual approach and inspiration; the statement should be used as a marketing tool relevant to the artwork being considered. There is a 3,000 character limit, including spaces.

Artist Bio: (in paragraph format) Background as to who you are, where you studied (if applicable) and your professional accomplishments, website, social media links etc..

Up to Three Images of previously completed, existing artwork that is currently available for purchase ranging from $50,000 - $200,000.

Image Citations shall include the title, media, dimensions, price, year of completion, description, and if applicable: edition size and print/casting number. Diptychs and Triptychs are eligible for purchase.

Please review and follow the IMAGE PREPARATION page on CAFE when formatting your images. Tutorials can be downloaded using the links near the bottom of the page.

Eligibility Criteria

The project is open to artists who reside in, and galleries that are located in, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah. Galleries may submit qualifications on behalf of any artist represented by the gallery, regardless of the artist's residency. Finalists may be required to submit verifiable proof of residency prior to being awarded a purchase contract.