Call Description

The Art in Public Places Program of New Mexico Arts and the Local Selection Committee (LSC) of the University of New Mexico (UNM) seek to commission an artist/artist team to create and install site-specific exterior public art for the Center for Collaborative Arts & Technology (CCAT) building at main campus in Albuquerque, NM. Seeking artwork in one or more of the 3 designated outdoor, 3rd floor terraces. The proposed artwork should reflect the region and respond to the context of the site. The new CCAT building is along Central Avenue (Route 66) and designed in direct conversation with stunning views of the Sandia Mountains. All U.S. based artists are encouraged to submit qualifications. Five (5) finalists will be selected and paid $2,500 + travel expenses to create and present a formal proposal. A total budget of $800,000 will be awarded to the selected Artist/Artist Team to commission the creation and installation of their proposed artwork on site, inclusive of all associated fees/costs.

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 (UNM) seek to commission an artist/artist team to create and install site-specific artwork for 1 to 3 third floor outdoor terraces at the newly built Center for Collaborative Arts & Technology building along Central Avenue (Route 66) in Albuquerque, NM. Seeking artwork that will reflect the region and respond to the New Mexico environment. Core values for this project address how history informs the future, multiplicity of culture, the architecture of the building, and ideas of land and place.

Proposed Artwork should incorporate/consider the following:

• Artwork media/construction/methods can be traditional/mixed/experimental/new media/technology driven in nature, but MUST BE constructed out of materials that will survive a permanent installation outdoors in the Central New Mexico climate with high public traffic and regular exposure to sunlight and high winds.
• All media (that can survive outdoor permanent installation) will be considered.
• All creative expressions will be considered: Representational to nonrepresentational, traditional to experimental, applied to digital, and more.
• Interactive/kinetic artwork will also be considered.
• Artwork MUST fit the allotted installation area. Please see site plan for measurements and more installation site information.
• MUST be inviting and engaging with campus and community
• CAN utilize/provide lighting (solar/electric)
• No artworks incorporating water features or elements will be considered.  

Please see more information about the University of New Mexico CCAT building and college of fine arts here. Artists should also consider the identified installation locations available and how to best utilize the space: please CLICK HERE for site photos/measurements/details. Ultimately, the installation of this artwork will assist in creating a gathering space for students/faculty, locals, and visitors to the campus.

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

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

Site Information

The potential installation sites are located on the 3rd floor of the building. Three open air terraces located on the South, West, and North sides of the CCAT building, on UNM’s main campus in Albuquerque, NM. Classes, performances and events will occur in these spaces regularly. Students and community members will walk by these spaces, including traffic along Central Avenue (Route 66). When the building is open for events and classes, the public, along with users of the building will be able to always enter these terraces.

Project Amount

$800,000 is available to commission an artist/artist team to create public artwork for 1 to 3 of the open-air terraces located on the third floor of the newly built Center for Collaborative Arts & Technology building. This amount includes all fees and expenses associated with the project, e.g., 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): 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 $2,500 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 a public presentation at the site.

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

$500 for travel and lodging between 50 – 300 miles one-way.

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

$1,800 for travel and lodging 801 miles and over 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 on New Mexico Arts website or 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 on New Mexico Arts website or upon request.

Application 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. Answer: What excites you about this opportunity to create permanent public art for UNM and the CCAT building?
• 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 such as 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.

Project Timeline (subject to change):

April 2026 – Project Announced

June 2026 – Application Submission Deadline

June/July 2026 - Jury Submissions by LSC

July 2026 – Notification of 5 Finalists

Fall 2026 – Finalist Presentations (in-person at the University of New Mexico)

Fall/Winter 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), Wednesday June 10, 2026

Eligibility Criteria

This REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS is open to all artists/artist teams currently residing in the United States. Preference will be given to regional artists and/or UNM alumni. 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 the University of New Mexico 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 or NMDCA for the duration of the project.