Call Description

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 the University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) seek to commission an artist/artist team to create and install site-specific artwork for two designated indoor corridors, including windows, at the new Children’s Psychiatric Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Seeking artwork that emphasizes serenity, reduces stress, and supports well-being promoting a calm atmosphere for all patients and staff. As a behavioral and mental health facility, certain specifications will be required for artwork that must adhere to trauma informed design approaches to ensure the safety of all patients. Audience for this space includes visitors, patients, and staff of the Children’s Psychiatric Center of all ages.

Proposed Artwork should incorporate/consider the following:

·         WILL CONSIDER any artwork subject matter following Trauma Informed Design principles,

please see attached packet for more information.

·         MUST emphasize artwork that can serve to brighten, enliven, and create an environment that is pleasant, welcoming, comforting, and relaxing, please see attached packet for more information.

·         MUST align (do not clash) with current color schemes identified in the space (wall/tile/floor/carpet/wood/existing artwork elements and hardware), please see page 6 of the attached packet.

·         CANNOT include patterns/imagery that are hypnotic in nature, trauma inducing or overstimulating, please see attached packet for more information.

·         CANNOT contain elements considered violent, derogatory, or culturally insensitive, dark, menacing, distorted, or claustrophobic in nature.

·         MUST incorporate both identified corridors (North and South) and the windows in the south corridor.

·         WILL CONSIDER any medium and materials that are suitable and safe within this behavioral and mental healthcare environment.

·         MUST utilize anti-ligature hardware (to prevent self-harm), and other health and safety recommendations required for this setting, please see attached packet for more information.

·         WILL NOT CONSIDER artworks incorporating water features or kinetic elements.

·         Artwork incorporating passive interaction will be considered.

·         Artwork media/construction can be traditional/mixed/experimental in nature, but MUST BE constructed out of materials that will survive a permanent installation in high traffic areas, the windows specifically will receive high sun exposure.

·         Artwork MUST fit the allotted installation areas.

·         Artwork MUST BE non-flammable, and capable of sustaining intense UV sunlight without fading or deteriorating rapidly.

·         Artwork does not need to cover the entirety of the corridors, but artwork must flow throughout.

The LSC is interested in artwork of all media conducive to interior installation within this behavioral and mental health setting. Artwork should incorporate the theme and ideas described above. Artists should also consider the identified installation locations available and how to best utilize the space: please CLICK HERE for site renders/measurements/details.

The project must be durable, low maintenance, permanent, safe for both children and adults and must meet all applicable code requirements, including ADA compliance.  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).

Artist will need to provide Certificates of General Liability and Workman’s Compensation insurance for all installation personnel on site.

CLICK HERE to download a PDF with installation site renders/measurements/details.  

Project Amount

$350,000 total is available to commission one (1) artist or artist team to create and install site-specific artwork for two designated interior corridors at the University of New Mexico Hospital Children’s Psychiatric Center in Albuquerque, NM. This amount includes all fees and expenses associated with the project, i.e., 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 (University of New Mexico Hospital): 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 or artist team 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 public at the site.

Additionally, each individual finalist or team will receive a travel stipend based on mapped mileage according to the following schedule:

$500 for travel and lodging between 51 – 300 miles one-way.

$900 for travel and lodging between 301 – 800 miles one-way.

$1,800 for travel and lodging 801+ miles 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 or artist team 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):

October 2025 – Project Announced

December 2025 – Application Submission Deadline

January 2026 - Jurying of Submissions by LSC

January 2026 – Notification of 5 Finalists

May/June 2026 – Finalist Presentations (in-person) in Albuquerque, NM

June 2026 – Finalist Selection Notification

Questions/Follow Up

Questions regarding this opportunity should be directed to Meredith Doborski, Public Art Program Director, at 505-396-0326, email: Meredith.doborski@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 (MDT), Friday, December 12, 2025

Application Requirements

Submission Requirements

Please read the following information carefully as incomplete or late submissions will not be accepted. Supplemental information beyond what is requested will not be reviewed by the Local Selection Committee. Failure to provide any of the published requirements could result in disqualification from the competition. Duplicate submissions will not be accepted. All materials must be submitted via CaFÉ (callforentry.org) according to the specifications outlined below:

• An artist statement/letter of interest written specifically to address the following: Describe your artwork/approach/style/perspective/background. What excites you about this opportunity. How may you approach this public art project?
• 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.
• Ten 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

Eligibility

This REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS is open to all artists/artist teams currently residing in the United States. Preference may be given to New Mexico based artists. Artists submitting qualifications should demonstrate a level of experience and professionalism that is commensurate with the project scope and budget.

AIPP regulations state that 1% funds may not be spent for artwork created for an institution or agency by an employee of the institution or agency. Qualifications submitted by and on behalf of current employees or family of current employees of UNM Hospital or NM Department of Cultural Affairs (NMDCA) will not be considered. Applicants may be required to provide verifiable proof of current employment at the discretion of AIPP Program staff. Past employees are eligible to submit proposals but may not become employed by UNM Hospital or NMDCA for the duration of the project.