AIPP Mission

The Art in Public Places program enriches New Mexico communities through innovative and diverse public art. 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, New Mexico Arts facilitates the sale of artwork for public spaces with purchase initiatives, site-specific commission projects, artwork loans, and temporary installations that offer in-depth community engagement and artist development.

Project Intent

New Mexico Arts and the Local Selection Committee for City of Santa Fe seek an artist or artist team to create an interior site-specific commission project in collaboration with the community, at the new Santa Fe Southside Teen Center, set for completion in 2022. The Local Selection Committee has a budget of $50,100 and seeks one or more site-specific artworks.

The committee is interested in artworks in the main lobby/lounge area which will feature an area for performances and/or a game room. Photographs and plans of the area are provided for reference. The committee is looking for an artwork or artworks that promote connectivity and create an authentic sense of place for all users of the space, particularly community youth.  Project ideas can engage the walls, ceiling, or other interior spaces. All artistic media are encouraged that support the welcoming environment of the center as a place to gather, mentor, learn, and express interests through multidisciplinary programs and activities. For inspiration, artists are encouraged to explore the activities of the center, the cultural diversity of Santa Fe, NM and the role the arts play in community engagement.  Artists are also asked to demonstrate how they would engage community members and local youth in the creation of the artwork. The committee’s goal is to create a sense of place and harness the energy of the center as a fluid, dynamic, and interactive space that fosters innovative programming for users.

The committee would like artists to consider the following:

• The artwork should activate the main lobby and/or the adjacent game room area.
• The artwork should create a sense of place and invite users into the space.
• Artworks should consider activity of the center, proximity to performance spaces, and access by youth users.  
• Suspended artworks, artworks that use interior walls, and new media works will be considered.
• The artwork creation process should incorporate a meaningful community engagement component.

*Artworks that incorporate water features or elements will not be considered.

Media must be durable, low maintenance, permanent, safe for both children and adults and be 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 opportunity is open to all artists or artist teams in all stages of their career working in New Mexico. Artists submitting qualifications should demonstrate a level of experience and professionalism that is commensurate with the project scope and budget. Artists with a strong connection to Santa Fe or rich background in community work with youth populations are encouraged to apply.

AIPP regulations state that 1% funds may not be spent on 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 City of Santa Fe 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 the City of Santa Fe for the duration of the project.

Site Information

The youth population in Santa Fe’s South side continues to grow and there is significant need for services, programs, and facilities to benefit and support the local youth and community. The Santa Fe Southside Teen Center facility will offer programs to promote education and career opportunities, health and wellness, afterschool and childcare programs as well as outreach services to benefit the larger community.

The center will play a vital role in improving youth and civic outcomes as the area is impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The center will be a safe and structured environment, where youth can flourish under the care of attentive staff in a space that provides them with a productive outlet for their time and energy.

The modern facility will serve youth in a variety of ways, from fostering artistic and creative expression, to promoting organized court sports and team-based activities that invest in future community leaders.

The new facility seeks to provide quality experiences, promote positive development, and offer Santa Fe youth with safe and fun opportunities to learn and grow.

For photographs and plans of the area, please visit Site Details.

Community Engagement Report –Youth at the Center

The Teen Center Outreach Report conducted by Earth Care in November 2019 focuses “youth at the center” campaign. The campaign imagines the Teen Center not only as a place for young people to learn and grow and thrive but also a community space and practice at the center of civic life. Results from the outreach campaign are meant to be integrated into site design. Community engagement will be a central element of the project to ensure that the process is driven by the input of our young people, area residents, and stakeholders. An important part of the public art project for the center will require attention to a well-planned community engagement component that has a positive impact on the artistic outcomes. Click here to download report.

Project Amount

$50,100 is available for the project this includes design fees and review. Individual artists and artist teams may apply. The local selection committee may select more than one concept for the project. The 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.

The artist will be invited to offer advice and direction related to other creative elements of the space to ensure that the artwork and other features relate to one another.

Selection Process and Criteria

The Local Selection Committee is made up of representatives from the owner and user agencies of the facility, the project architect, artist, and arts professionals. In some cases representatives include community youth members.  Under the guidance of an AIPP Project Coordinator, the committee is responsible for prospectus development, submission review, and selecting the artist(s) or artist team(s) 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 committee will consider an applicant’s connection to Santa Fe and interest in youth development and the project’s contribution to the economic development of regional artists.

The selection criteria shall include, but is not limited to:

• The professional qualifications of the artist(s) demonstrated by the supporting materials.
•  Demonstrated ability to undertake projects of the described scope.
• Artistic quality and superior craftsmanship demonstrated in submitted images.
•  Suitability of submission to project intent and site.

Artwork that reflects a wide range of cultural, ethnic, and artistic diversity will be considered.

Selected artists will require their final designs to be approved by the Local Selection Committee. All designs, samples and written proposals will become the property of City of Santa Fe.

The artist(s) or artist team(s) that is awarded the commission project will be required to enter into a Professional Services Contract with the State of New Mexico.  Please see a sample Professional Services Contract provided on the New Mexico Arts website.

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 will result in disqualification from the competition. Please note that only one application per artist will be considered.

• Artist Statement:  Please provide a written introduction to your work, medium, and an explanation of your techniques. You may discuss your conceptual approach and inspiration. We would also like to know: what draws/excites you about this project for the Southside Teen Center in Santa Fe? Please describe your connection to this type of work and/or Santa Fe, NM. What communities do you identify with as an artist/individual? What experience do you have working with local youth on art related projects?
• A succinct letter of interest that addresses the needs of the project. Please explain how you may approach the project, how the artwork will be installed, and which area of the site you are proposing to install work.
• A current chronological resume or curriculum vitae demonstrating relevant work experience, particularly public art or privately funded commission projects. Please note that a biography or an autobiography will not fulfill the resume requirement. Please outline your professional qualifications.
• Community Engagement Component: describe proposed community engagement activities (i.e., community assistance with creating the artwork, workshop, solicitation of resources or guidance from community members.  We encourage artists to consider the community in a thoughtful and meaningful way. Please remember to include required materials, space considerations, and assistance requirements, in your budget.
• Budget: The final all-inclusive 1% budget for the project is $50,100. You are not required to submit an artwork for this amount. However, the budget must reflect the realistic cost of the proposed artwork. Please provide an itemized budget including all expenses related to creation of the artwork.
• Artwork image(s): One (1) to ten (10) images or videos with descriptions (title, media, dimensions, year of completion, and if applicable, project description, budget, and commissioning agency). Provide examples of previously completed artwork and/or proposed artwork. Please review and follow the image preparation guide on CaFÉ.

Project Timeline (subject to change):

January 2021 – Project Announced

March 2021 – Submission Deadline

April 2021 – Notification of Artists

2022/2023 – Artwork completed and installed

Submission Deadline

The submission deadline is 11:59 PM (Mountain Standard Time MST) March 31, 2021. New Mexico Arts will provide technical assistance through 4:00 PM on March 31, 2021.

Questions

For more information, please contact Anna Blyth or Meredith Doborski, at: Anna.Blyth@state.nm.us  or Meredith.Doborski@state.nm.us.

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria