Call Description

The NMDOT Bridge Art Program enriches New Mexico’s public spaces through an innovative and diverse public art collection. 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 involvement process, a committee made up of local and regional representatives will work with NMDOT to select an artist to work on the project. NMDOT will then commission imagery that is designed for integration directly into the architecture and design of the bridge.

Local Selection Committee (LSC) is seeking an artist (or artist team) to create site-specific designs for the Raton/Clayton Interchange I-25 @ US64/87 in Raton, New Mexico. The design, which will be developed by the artist, should express local values, relate to the local context, and provide a visual narrative for the traveling public. The images are anticipated to be cast with form liners into the concrete bridge abutments, bridge wing walls, and wall barriers. Additionally metal pedestrian railing will be incorporated into the project and is an additional surface available for art. The artist will be expected to be conversant with the selected media. The commissioned work should address textures and colors as well as form. The actual fabrication and installation will be completed by the project general contractor.

The artwork will enhance the current bridge design which includes four (4) Raton railroad station style towers. The number of towers may be reduced at the recommendation of the artist. The artwork design should consider the Federal Highway Administration’s Gateway Monument Program Guidelines.

The artwork should complement the City of Raton’s Branding Style Guide, color palette, and include one or more of the following themes:

• Gateway to New Mexico
• Raton’s Mainstreet, Downtown District and Railroad Station
• Santa Fe Trail, Covered Wagons or Wagon Wheels
• Multi-Cultural Community
• Local Wildlife (antelope, mule deer, turkey, elk, bears, mountain lions)

Visit the following link for 3D images of the current bridge design, canvas area dimensions, the City of Raton’s Branding Style Guide, Main Street Signage Schematic Plan and Gateway Monument Guidelines: https://grader.dot.nm.gov/public/folder/vkgkawvc60y-6f30fabvxg/Raton%20Bridge%20Aesthetics

This call is free to apply. This call is open to all artists from New Mexico and Colorado, USA. Preference may be given to Colfax County residents. If the selected artist is a minor, an adult must be present at all meetings. The artist submitting qualifications should demonstrate a level of experience and professionalism that is commensurate with the scope and budget.

Five (5) semi-finalist artists will be selected and awarded an Honorarium of ($1,000). The selection criteria shall include, but is not limited to:

• The qualifications of the artist as demonstrated by the supporting materials.
• Proven ability to undertake the bridge art project of the described scope.
• Artistic merit and superior caliber of craftsmanship shown by images of prior work.

The semi-finalists will have six (6) weeks to prepare an artwork proposal which will be presented before the LSC. One (1) artist will be commissioned. The selection criteria shall include, but not be limited to:

• The degree to which the artwork fits within the context of Raton’s Branding Style, color pallet and themes.
• Attractiveness and potential of artwork design to enhance the project.
• The artwork design’s creativity, uniqueness, and presentation of distinctive visual images.

The commission amount of approximately $23,500.00 is available for the bridge art project.  This amount includes all fees and expenses associated with the project including travel expenses and New Mexico gross receipts tax. The commissioned artist will be expected to attend all meetings for the design and approvals process. There will be an estimated three meetings required with additional meetings as necessary. The commissioned artist will present their final artwork proposal at a public meeting. All maquettes (mini models), sample, and written proposals will become the property of NMDOT. The commissioned artist will be responsible for all material costs for this process through the design phase and will be required to enter into a contractual agreement with the engineering consultant (Molzen Corbin and Associates Inc.). The commissioned artist will work with the consultant to integrate the approved imagery into the project’s construction plan set.

Application Requirements

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

1. The initial submission on CaFÉ should not be a project-specific concept. The initial submission consists only of the artist’s written letter of interest, general qualifications, experience on similar projects, images, and proof of residency. All materials must be submitted in digital format according to the specifications outlined by CaFÉ.
2. Written Letter of interest: The submission on CaFÉ must include a written letter of interest that addresses the needs of the bridge art project, the artist’s interest, and motivation in preparing artwork for the project, and an outline of the artist’s specific professional qualifications.
3. Resume or Curriculum Vitae: The submission on CaFÉ must include a current chronological resume or curriculum vitae demonstrating relevant work experience, particularly public art or privately funded commission projects. Please note that a biography or autobiography will not fulfill the requirement of a current resume.
4. Images: Post 3 to10 images of previously completed work. The submission on CaFÉ shall include an annotated image list containing the title, media, dimensions, year of completion, project description, budget, and commissioning agency. Please review and adhere to the CaFÉ website instructions and requirements (see this link: https://www.callforentry.org/image_prep.phtml). Tutorials can be downloaded using the links near the bottom of the web page. Please note that 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 the application.
5. Provide proof of residency: New Mexico or Colorado and the State County where you reside.
6. The LSC will not review supplemental information beyond what is requested, including materials specific to the project.
7. Failure to provide any of the published requirements will result in disqualification from the competition.
8. After the semi-finalists have been awarded, they will be expected to submit sample drawings or renderings relevant to the Raton/Clayton bridge art project and present their proposals before the LSC.

Eligibility Criteria

The artist must be a New Mexico or Colorado resident.