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 New Mexico State University (NMSU) seek to commission an artist/artist team to create and install site-specific artwork for one of two designated exterior installation areas at Devasthali Hall on NMSU’s campus in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Seeking a statement artwork that screams ART! – Contemporary/Experimental/non-traditional, expressions of the cultural identity of the Borderplex region, interpretations of place, capture the spirit of the community, and/or the interdisciplinary & intercultural exploration brimming within these walls. A head-turning artwork that draws people from across the campus and community to celebrate and join the heritage and history of iconic artists with ties to NMSU and the area such as Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Wendy Red Star, Sol LeWitt, and others. Looking for a landmark artwork to draw visitors to the Art Museum and Art Department at Devasthali Hall; vibrant, awe-inspiring, a beacon for those seeking deep exploration and discourse in various platforms of artistic engagement. Audience of this space includes students, faculty, visitors, and the greater community.

Proposed Artwork should incorporate/consider the following:

• Artwork of ANY media/materials that can withstand a permanent installation outdoors in southern New Mexico with high heat, high winds, and high sun exposure will be considered.
• Artwork can be contemporary/experimental/non-traditional in nature and content.
• Artwork can consider interpretations of place; expressions of cultural identity of the Borderplex Region; interpretations of place; capture the spirit of the community and the interdisciplinary & intercultural exploration brimming at the NMSU Art Department and Art Museum.
• Artwork can utilize either or both proposed exterior installation areas.
• Artwork should engage visitors of all ages to Devasthali Hall and NMSU at large.
• Artwork should interject color and liven this area of the campus to attract visitors and make the walk between buildings more enjoyable.
• Artwork can be interactive and/or kinetic in nature.
• The Selection Committee is not interested in light only artworks, minimalist artwork, or artwork that is too subtle, or blends into the surrounds.
• Electricity can be accessed at both recommended installation sites; Artists can also propose self-contained power source (solar, battery, etc.). 
• No artworks incorporating water features or elements will be considered.  
• No artworks incorporating wood or other materials not conducive to the New Mexico outdoors/climate/weather/wind will be considered.

·         Artwork MUST fit the allotted installation areas.

The LSC is interested in artwork of all media conducive to exterior installation within the allotted installation areas. Artwork should incorporate the themes 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

$400,000 total is available to commission one (1) artist or artist team to create and install site-specific artwork for one of two designated exterior installation areas at New Mexico State University’s Devasthali Hall in Las Cruces, 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 (New Mexico State University): Owner Agency representative, User Agency Representative, Architect/Facilities Representative, Local Artist, Local Arts Professional, and Local Project Director. For Education Institutions such as Colleges and Universities, a Member of the Board of Regents, and a currently enrolled Student are also members of the Local Selection Committee. 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

January 2026 – Application Submission Deadline
February 2026 - Jurying of Submissions by LSC

February 2026 – Notification of 5 Finalists

May/June 2026 – Finalist Presentations (in-person) in Las Cruces, 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, January 30, 2026

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?
  • What are your ties to the area and/or NMSU, and how will this inform your proposal if selected?
• 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 and/or artists with ties to the area. 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 NMSU 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 NMSU or NMDCA for the duration of the project.