Call Description

Las Cruces Public Art Mission Statement

Las Cruces Public Art (LCPA) commissions and cares for a collection of contemporary public artworks, promotes the community’s access to and engagement with public art, and supports the growth of public art practice in Las Cruces.

Program Intent

Art Stop is intended to make art accessible to the community by using city bus shelters as an exhibit space. Regional artists living in Southwestern New Mexico, particularly Las Cruces and Dona Ana County, will have an opportunity to exhibit their artwork at one bus stop location for a full year if selected.

The Las Cruces Public Art program strives to achieve the program's goals of diversity, equity, inclusion, and access for all artists, and to showcase contemporary and traditional arts in unique public art formats.

Art Theme - Animals on the Go!

Art Stop 2026 will feature animals “on the go”. Artwork should show animals in motion, traveling, moving or going somewhere.

• Artwork may be stylized to evoke whimsy, humor, fantasy.
• Artwork may envision real-life natural depictions.
• Artwork should be eye-catching and attention grabbing.

Compensation: Each selected artist will receive a $500 stipend.  

The Art Stop selection committee will select six digital versions of original work which will be printed and installed in pre-selected bus shelters in each of the six City Council districts. Each shelter will feature one of the selected artworks. Artwork will be displayed for 12 months. New artwork will be selected on an annual basis. 

Artwork can be previous work or new work, using digital or traditional mediums. It must be completed artwork, not concept work. 

Application Requirements

Requirements:  

• Artwork can be existing work or new work.
• Artwork may utilize digital, photographic, or traditional mediums. Artwork can be one image or a collage of images. A photo of 3D artwork is acceptable.
• The artwork must be appropriate for public display.
• Artwork that includes religious subject matter or symbols may be placed in a public space as long as it is solely intended to exhibit cultural or historical traditions. Artwork that includes the following will not be considered: the apparent representation of violence, drug use, nudity (except for context in historical art), pornographic imagery, denigration of individuals and cultures, or desecration of significant cultural symbols.
• Only vertically oriented artwork that meets the poster dimensions measuring 62” H x 36” W will be accepted. (See photo of size.) All horizontally oriented artwork will be automatically disqualified.
• A brief description of the artwork, a short bio/artist statement and contact information are required.
• Submissions are limited to one per artist.
• Artwork must be completed artwork; concept work will not be accepted.
• Mass-produced work and/or signage will not be accepted. (If artwork has text that is not integral to the design, it is considered signage.)
• AI generated images will not be accepted.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligibility for participation is open to all artists living in Las Cruces, Dona Ana County, or surrounding area in Southwest New Mexico.
• Must be 18 years or older to participate.
• Previous winners will be eligible two years from the year their artwork was exhibited.
• No member of the current City Art Board, Art Stop selection committee, or employee of the City of Las Cruces, New Mexico, may apply for this project.
• Please contact us if you have any questions about eligibility.