Call Description

AIPP MISSION
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 2,500 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 nation while building a dynamic public art collection for the State of New Mexico.

Through a fair and open public process, local and regional selection committees work with New Mexico Arts to select artwork for their communities. The Art in Public Places Program also commissions large-scale projects that are designed for integration directly into the architecture of a building, or purchases existing original artworks to be placed in public buildings.

PROJECT TIMELINE
July 18, 2025 – Open Call announced
September 21, 2025 – Submission deadline
October 2025 – Notification of finalists
October 2025 – December 2027 – Notification of purchases (if applicable, not guaranteed)
Ongoing basis -- Notification of purchases to artists and artwork installation

THE SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS 11:59 PM (MST), SEPTEMBER 22, 2025

Application Requirements

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Please read the following information carefully as incomplete or late submissions will not be accepted. Any supplemental material beyond what is requested will not be considered by the review committee. Failure to provide any of the published requirements will result in disqualification from the call. All materials must be submitted according to the specifications outlined on CaFE. Please note that only one application per artist will be considered. In the event an artist has gallery representation, the artist and gallery should coordinate their submission. 

Artist Statement - Please provide an introduction to your work, medium, and explanation of your techniques. Please discuss how your cultural background and/or experiences influence your art making practice. 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 5,000 character limit, including spaces.

Up to Three Images- submit images of previously completed work that is currently available for purchase. Complete image citations to include title, year completed, medium, dimensions, price (works priced from $1,000-$50,000), description, and, if applicable, edition size and print/casting number. Original works of art ONLY, we will not purchase editions exceeding 50 impressions, or mass produced reproductions.

(Please see to the Image Preparation Page on CaFE for information on formatting your images and links to other useful resources.)

Galleries may submit work for multiple artists, please include artist statement and up to three images per artist to ensure a complete submission for each artist you are applying for. Galleries must be located in New Mexico, represented artists can be from anywhere. Please be sure to apply using the artist's name, not the name of the gallery staff applying on the artist's behalf, and include the contact information associated to the gallery. 

Eligibility Criteria

ELIGIBILITY
The project is open to artists who reside in, and galleries that are located in New Mexico. Galleries may submit qualifications on behalf of any artists represented by the gallery, regardless of the artist's residency. Finalists may be required to supply verifiable proof of residency prior to being awarded a purchase contract. Employees of the Department of Cultural Affairs are ineligible to apply. 

SITE INFORMATION
Artwork will be purchased for publicly accessible buildings throughout the State of New Mexico. The facilities encompass a broad range of uses including, but not limited: 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 eligible capital outlay for new construction or major renovation projects. 

PROJECT AMOUNT
Artwork prices must be $1,000-$50,000 all-inclusive. Purchase contracts will be limited to a minimum of $1,000 per piece. Upon submission, the price of the artwork is considered all-inclusive of the following: materials, labor, insurance, taxes, commissions, fees, delivery, installation, travel, museum quality framing under Plexiglas, security hangers, pedestal for small and large three-dimensional works, Plexiglas bonnet for small three-dimensional works, project plaque, and written and photographic documentation of the artwork. Please account for any travel costs to install the artwork.

The price of large three-dimensional works should include the cost of site preparation and foundation. Participating sites have a predetermined 1% budget that does not allow for price fluctuations after the submission. Please price your work to account for ALL costs listed above.

Museum quality framing, installation, and project plaques must adhere to AIPP Framing and Installation Guidelines.

SELECTION PROCESS AND CRITERIA
A Submission Review Committee of artists and arts professionals will score applications based on the selection criteria listed. All New Mexico public art projects are fair and open competitions; therefore not all applicants will be included in the final pool of artwork shown to statewide Regional Buying Committees. Eligible sites create local selection committees made up of representatives from owner and/or user agencies that select artwork for purchase and permanent display in their facilities. Artwork included in the final pool is not a guarantee of sale.

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

• The professional qualifications of the artist demonstrated by the supporting materials.
• Demonstrated artistic quality (use of media, unique vision, quality of craftsmanship)
• Artist has a developed and consistent style.

Artwork that reflects a wide range of cultural, ethnic, and artistic diversity will be selected.

Multiple artwork selection meetings are held statewide during the course of the purchase initiative (2025-2027). Artwork submitted for consideration does not need to be removed from other sale opportunities. However, if a submitted artwork is sold through another venue, the artist or artist representative is required to notify New Mexico Arts immediately to ensure the work is removed from the selection 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 work is selected for purchase will be required to enter into a purchase contract with the State of New Mexico. Please see a sample purchase contract on the New Mexico Arts website.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE
The submission deadline is 11:59 PM (Mountain Standard Time MST) September 21, 2025. New Mexico Arts will provide technical assistance through 3:00 PM on September 19, 2025.

If you would like your submission materials reviewed by AIPP staff, please make an appointment no less than two weeks prior to the submission deadline. Technical assistance needs increase during the final two weeks of the call; therefore we cannot guarantee a review of materials during the last days of the call. Assistance is offered on a first-come first-served basis.

QUESTIONS
KIERSTEN FELLRATH
Public Art Program Coordinator, New Mexico Arts
kiersten.fellrath@dca.nm.gov /505.699.4910 (8 AM - 5 PM, Mon - Fri)