Call Description

The New Mexico History Museum (NMHM) is seeking an artist or artist team to create an original indoor mural to commemorate the centennial founding of Route 66. The mural will be installed in the New Mexico History Museum’s lobby where it will be enjoyed by more than 80,000 visitors of all ages during its time on display.

November 11, 2026, marks the centennial anniversary of the establishment of U.S. Route 66. This iconic highway that stretched from Illinois to California was the primary road for western migration and tourism for decades. As American automobile ownership increased, the highway became a symbol of freedom and escape. The influx of visitors and residents sparked a boom for business and trade including restaurants, motels, shops, and roadside attractions.

The mural will be on view for one (1) year January 2026 – January 2027 with an opening reception in January 2026. The selected design should include elements depicting Route 66 in New Mexico and its historical significance to the state. Artists should consider not only the landscape and iconography of Route 66 but its social and cultural impact. The design should be appropriate for audiences of all ages.

Site Information:
The mural will be installed on the east wall of the main lobby of the Pete Domenici Building on the campus of the New Mexico History Museum. The wall dimensions are 26ft wide x 11ft high with some restricted areas due to electrical outlets or fire alarms. The mural does not need to cover all wall space from floor to ceiling. The wall is currently drywall/sheetrock with texture and painted teal. NMHM will prime wall if needed. The mural will be visible from the primary entrance into the museum (a distance of approximately 75 feet) as well as up close since it is situated at the museum’s central circulation hub. See attached picture. Artists will only be able to work on the mural during regular museum hours (Saturday-Thursday 10am-5pm, Friday 10am-7pm. NMHM will be closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Project Amount:
Honorarium for selected finalists (up to 5 finalists will be selected): $500 per artist/team Honorarium for selected artist/team to complete mural = $18,000

Timeline: 

June 30 - Open Call for Qualifications 

July 31 - Deadline for Qualification Submissions 

August 2-7 - Panel Selection for Finalists 

August 8 - Finalists Notified 

September 8 - Mural Proposal and Concept Designs Presentations Due 

September 15 - Selected Artist Notified (start contracts) 

December 31 - Mural installation deadline 

January 4 - Opening Reception with artist

Selection Process and Criteria:
The Project Committee consists of representatives from NM Department of Cultural Affairs. Under the guidance of an NMHM Project Coordinator, the Project Committee is responsible for prospectus development, submission review, finalist selection and selecting the final artist/s 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 scope described.
• Artistic merit and superb craftsmanship as evidenced by the images.
• Suitability of submission to project’s intent and scope.

Artists selected for this project will be required to enter into an artist agreement with the State of New Mexico. The New Mexico History Museum requires non-commercial reproduction rights to use the submitted designs for promotional purposes. The artist/team maintains copyright to their original design. Artist will be required to waive VARA (Visual Arts Rights Act of 1990) as NMHM will be painting over the mural following the one (1) year exhibition period. NMHM reserves the right to extend the one (1) year exhibition period, for an extended display period for as long as NMHM deems necessary.

Phase 1: The Project Committee will choose up to five (5) finalists from the open call for qualifications. Finalists will be invited to submit a mural proposal with an original design. Finalists may submit up to three (3) designs for consideration. Compensation is $500 per finalist or team, not per design.

Phase 2: One artist/team will be chosen to create the final mural based on their proposal and design. Compensation for the completed mural is $18,000 to be paid in two
installments: one at the start of contact and second installment upon completion of the project. This amount shall cover all costs of the project including artist’s compensation, travel, labor, materials, insurance, taxes, commissions, fees, site preparation, delivery, installation, etc.

Questions/Follow Up:
Questions regarding the project should be directed to Keri Schroeder, Palace Press Curator, at 505-476-5096, email: keri.schroeder@dca.nm.gov

Application Requirements

Application Requirements for Qualification:

1. Portfolio: 5-10 images of completed artwork representative of style(s) and approach. Preference will be given to samples of previously completed murals. 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.

2. Experience: Resume/CV, and/or helpful links to online presence/website/social. List any licenses, gallery, and public art experience, if applicable.

3. Artist Statement/Letter of Intent – (up to 5,000 characters) 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.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility:
1. This request for qualifications is open to all artists working the United States, preference will be given to artists living/working in New Mexico. If applying as a team, the project lead will serve as the sole contractor.
2. Artists submitting qualifications should demonstrate an ability to create similar work commensurate with the scope of this project. Qualifications submitted by and on behalf of current employees or family of current employees of NM Department of Cultural Affairs will not be considered. Past employees are eligible to submit qualifications but may not become employed by NMDCA for the duration of the project.
3. Artist/team must be able to complete the mural within the agreed upon time frame between artist and New Mexico History Museum.
4. Artist/team is strongly encouraged to attend a public reception celebrating the mural reveal in January 2026.