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) for NMMI seek an artist or artist team to create an exterior, site-specific commission project to be situated at the South East corner of the NMMI post.  The LSC is interested in commissioning artwork that will engage students, faculty, staff, and visitors to the NMMI Campus in a way that speaks to the rich history and heritage of NMMI, South Eastern New Mexico, and the Cadets that have attended NMMI. The LSC would like a work that is large in scale (life-size or larger) and would serve as an iconic landmark that identifies NMMI to the passerby and welcomes those to the NMMI campus as this is the main entrance to the post.

The LSC would like artists to consider:

• The project could be a bronze (or other material with similar patina/look) sculpture or tableau. Similar to the existing sculptures located on the post.
• The artwork should reflect the following elements:
  • Timeline: Post Vietnam / War on Terror to current day.
  • To honor our alumni and those who are currently or have previously served, or those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, men and women.
  • Symbols of the Cavalry heritage in consideration of the modern army.
  • The project may incorporate an accurate and representational depiction of a current-day soldier or soldiers, men and women. (Post-Vietnam Era and War on Terror)
  • This project will contribute to the construction of a contemplative/reflective atmosphere at this location on the post.
• A concrete (or similar) platform/base/slab will be created and funded separate from this budget by New Mexico Military Institute to provide a foundation for the resulting sculpture (in collaboration with the artist).
• Additional commemorative informational plaques will be created and funded separate from this budget by New Mexico Military Institute and installed at a later date post-artwork installation.
• No sculptures incorporating water features or elements will be considered.  

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 review by a professional fine art conservator.

Eligibility

This request for qualifications is open to all artists or artist teams working in the Southwest region (Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico). 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 NMMI 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 NMMI for the duration of the project.

Site Information

New Mexico Military Institute’s mission statement: “To educate, train, and prepare young men and women to be leaders capable of critical thinking and sound analysis, leaders who possess uncompromising character, and leaders able to meet challenging physical demands.”

Located in Roswell, New Mexico, the New Mexico Military Institute offers a rich history and tradition of educating tomorrow’s leaders through a program of strong, challenging academics, leadership preparation, and character development. Known as “The West Point of the West,” NMMI remains the only state-supported co-educational college preparatory high school and junior college in the United States. Serving the educational needs of an international student population, the Institute has strict admissions standards that yearly result in an enrollment of approximately 1,000 students who come from 43 states, the District of Columbia, and 13 foreign nations.

NMMI grants High School diplomas and Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees. The Institute's emphasis on qualities of honor, integrity, and responsibility, contributes to its unique educational philosophy.

Leadership training is provided to all cadets at the college level, through the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program, and at the high school level through the Junior ROTC program. The ROTC Program offers college cadets the opportunity to receive a commission in the U.S. Army through the 2-Year Early Commissioning Program. Cadets may pursue commissions in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marines through the Service Academy Preparatory Program.

NMMI graduates prove successful in every field of endeavor, business, industry, public service, education, the professions, or careers in the military. Surveys of graduating classes show consistently that 95 percent of NMMI graduates go on to complete a four-year degree at outstanding schools such as Penn State, Stanford, Rice, Cornell, University of Texas, Arizona State University, University of Colorado, and the nation's Service Academies.

As an institution of higher and secondary education, the Institute has the mission of enabling individual development through challenging academic preparation in a structured learning environment that affords extensive opportunities for leadership and character development. In support of this mission, the Institute's treatment of all cadets places key value on trust, student knowledge, integrity, service and responsibility all within the framework of an Honor Code stating that “a cadet will not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do.”

Project Amount

$246,562.00 is available for this project after finalist presentation fees and travel expenses. 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.

Selection Process and Criteria

The Local Selection Committee is made up of representatives from the owner/user agencies of the facility, the project architect, an artist, arts professionals, and a representative from the student body. 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 with the exception of 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 projects. Finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium for a written proposal and a maquette of the proposed artwork. One site visit will be required of each finalist to include a personal presentation of the artwork proposal to the Local Selection Committee and the public. All maquettes, samples and written proposals will become the property of the New Mexico Military Institute.

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

$250 for travel and lodging between 50 – 300 miles one-way.

$450 for travel and lodging between 301 – 800 miles one-way.

$900 for travel and lodging 801 miles and over one-way.

Artists or artist teams short-listed as finalists for these projects 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.

Submission Requirements

Please read the following information carefully as incomplete or late submissions will not be accepted. Supplemental information beyond what is requested, including proposals specific to this project, 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 according to the specifications outlined below.

• A succinct letter of interest no longer than 3 paragraphs written specifically to address the needs of this project. Please explain what excites you about the opportunity, how you may approach the project if selected as a finalist, and outline your professional qualifications.
• A current chronological resume or curriculum vitae demonstrating relevant work experience, particularly public art or privately funded commission projects. A biography or an autobiography will not fulfill the resume requirement.
• Ten images or videos (or a combination) of previously completed artwork. Complete image citations will be required; including artwork title, medium, height, width and depth, price or value, year of completion, and project description to include budget and commissioning agency. 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):

February 26, 2020 – Project Announced

April 27, 2020 – Submission Deadline

May 2020 - Jurying of Submissions by LSC

June 2020 – Notification of Finalists

October 2020 – Finalist Presentations

October 2020 – Notice of Award

December 2021 -  Artwork completed and installed

New Mexico Pay Equity Initiative

Effective July 1, 2010, businesses seeking new contracts with any Executive Branch state agency will be required to comply with the requirements of Executive Order 2009-049, to aid in identifying and combating pay inequity and job segregation in the State of New Mexico, as a condition of being awarded a contract.

If the offeror has ten (10) or more employees OR eight (8) or more employees in the same job classification, offeror must complete and submit the required reporting form (PE10-249 or PE250, depending on their size at the time) with their bid or proposal for evaluation purposes.

For contracts that extend beyond one (1) calendar year, or are extended beyond one (1) calendar year, offeror must also agree to complete and submit the required form annually within thirty (30) calendar days of the annual bid or proposal submittal anniversary date and, if more than 180 days has elapsed since submittal of the last report, at the completion of the contract.

Should offeror not meet the size requirement for reporting at contract award but subsequently grows such that they meet or exceed the size requirement for reporting, offer must agree to provide the required report within ninety (90) calendar days of meeting or exceeding the size requirement.

Offeror must also agree to levy these reporting requirements on any subcontractor(s) performing more than 10% of the dollar value of this contract if said subcontractor(s) meets, or grows to meet, the stated employee size thresholds during the term of the contract.

Offeror must further agree that, should one or more subcontractor not meet the size requirement for reporting at contract award but subsequently grows such that they meet or exceed the size requirement for reporting, offer will submit the required report, for each such subcontractor, within ninety (90) calendar days of that subcontractor meeting or exceeding the size requirement.

Questions/Follow Up

Questions regarding the project should be directed to Meredith Doborski, AIPP Project Coordinator, at 505-827-6490, email: Meredith.doborski@state.nm.us

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), Monday, April 27, 2020.

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria