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) at New Mexico State University (NMSU) and New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) seek to purchase 1 to 3 EXTERIOR artworks ready for purchase. These artworks will need to withstand a permanent installation outdoors in an uncovered area of the NMDA courtyard at the NMSU campus in Las Cruces, NM. The LSC is interested in artwork contemporary in nature that explores the following ideas centered around AGRICULTURE: history of agriculture, illustrates the importance of agriculture to New Mexicans/our society and culture, the positive impacts of the agriculture industry, narrations on how the agricultural industry touches our lives every day. Artists should also consider the locations available for installation within the courtyard: please CLICK HERE for a site plan and details. The LSC’s goal is to acquire artwork that will highlight and narrate the agriculture industry while interjecting art and culture to this courtyard space. Ultimately, the inclusion of this artwork will assist in creating a welcoming space for users of the surrounding buildings and campus. Submitted artworks should reflect the following elements:

• Artwork should be contemporary interpretations embodying the listed theme(s) of AGRICULTURE: history of agriculture, illustrates the importance of agriculture to New Mexicans/our society and culture, the impact the agriculture industry has made, narrations on how the agricultural industry touches our lives everyday.
• Artwork media/construction can be traditional, mixed, or experimental in nature, but MUST BE constructed out of materials that can survive a permanent installation outdoors.
• Artwork must be able to withstand high winds, and harsh New Mexico desert climate.
• Artwork must fit the allotted installation area. Please see site plan for measurements and more installation site information.
• 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.
• Please see site plan for more information on access to electrical.

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.

CLICK HERE to download a PDF with site plan/measurements/more information.

Site Information

The original New Mexico Constitution, ratified in 1911 and the basis for statehood in 1912, created the state department of agriculture. In 1955, NMSU’s Board of Regents unified a number of regulatory services and the individuals responsible for administering them under a single administrative organization: the New Mexico Department of Agriculture.

Today NMDA is a producer-consumer service and regulatory department responsible for various statutes legislated since its inception. NMDA’s mandate has changed over the years in response to changes in population, the needs of agribusiness, and technological advancements. NMDA remains committed to serving its constituents by periodically reviewing statutes and fee structures, as well as offering compliance assistance and education in an effort to maintain a safe and secure food supply, promote a fair marketplace, and secure our natural resources.

NMDA remains committed to expanding value-added agriculture in local, state, national, and international markets.

To learn more about the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, please visit our website at: https://www.nmda.nmsu.edu/

New Mexico State University sits on a 900-acre campus and enrolls more than 14,000 students from 49 states and 89 foreign countries. NMSU is a NASA Space-Grant College and is home to the very first Honors College in New Mexico. A Hispanic-Serving Institution, NMSU serves a multi-cultural population of students and community members across the state at five campuses, a satellite learning center in Albuquerque, cooperative extension offices located in each of New Mexico's 33 counties, and 12 agriculture research and science centers. Plus, distance education programs give students maximum flexibility.

The mission of the New Mexico State University system is to serve the diverse needs of the state through comprehensive programs of education, research, extension and outreach, and public service. As the state’s land-grant and space-grant university, and as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, NMSU fosters learning, inquiry, diversity and inclusion, social mobility, and service to the broader community.

To learn more about New Mexico State University, please visit our website at: https://nmsu.edu/

Project Amount

Up to $335,000 will be utilized to purchase 1-3 EXTERIOR artworks. When pricing artwork please include all associated costs including: all fees and expenses associated with artwork prep, delivery, travel, and permanent/secure installation on site, e.g., materials, equipment, labor, permits, engineering documents, insurance, taxes, travel, installation (truck/crane/concrete pad/etc.), shipping/delivery, identification plaque, and written and 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 representatives from the NM Department of Agriculture and New Mexico State University. Under the guidance of an AIPP Project Coordinator, the Local Selection Committee is responsible for prospectus development, submission review, and final selection(s). Artists may research the site 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 submitted images.
• Suitability of submission to project intent and site.

Artists/Artist teams or galleries selected for purchase will be required to enter into a Purchase Agreement with the State of New Mexico. A sample of the Purchase Agreement is available on New Mexico Arts website or upon request.

 Project Timeline (subject to change):

April 11, 2022 – Project Announced

June 24, 2022 – Submission Deadline EXTENDED

June 2022 - Jurying of Submissions by LSC

July 2022 – Notification of Selection(s)

Questions/Follow Up

Questions regarding this opportunity should be directed to Meredith Doborski, Public Art Program Director, at 505-396-0326, 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 EXTENDED: Midnight (MDT), Friday, June 24, 2022.

For questions about accessibility of these online forms and to request an accommodation or alternate format, please contact New Mexico Arts Accessibility Coordinator Lilli Tichinin at Lilli.tichinin@state.nm.us; phone: 505-476-0518 (voice); Instate: 1-800-879-4278 (voice); TTY Relay: 1-800-659-8331; Fax: 505-827-6043.

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 personal connection to agriculture and how it informs your art. What excites you about the Agriculture Industry (past, present, future) and this opportunity with NMDA at NMSU?
• A current chronological resume or curriculum vitae 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 EXTERIOR artwork available for purchase that address themes of AGRICULTURE. Complete image citations will be required; including artwork title, medium, height, width and depth, price or value, year completed, and description. In the description box, please describe how the submitted artwork addresses the requested themes of AGRICULTURE. 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 call for art ready for purchase is open to all artists/artist teams and galleries residing 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 NMSU, NMDA, or DCA 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, NMDA, or DCA for the duration of the project.