The Art in Public Places Program of New Mexico Arts and the Local Selection Committee (LSC) for the New Mexico State University (NMSU) Hardman & Jacobs Hall Undergraduate Learning Center (HJULC) seek an artist or artist team to create a site-specific commission project to be situated on a large wall in the computer lab in the HJULC and possibly on an additional very long wall in a nearby area of the building.
Budget: $180,500, all-inclusive. Finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium for a written proposal and a maquette of the proposed artwork, plus a travel stipend.
Eligibility: Open to all artists or artist teams working in the United States.
Site Context
New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico, sits on a 900-acre campus and enrolls more than 15,000 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.
NMSU’s Honors College, the very first one established in New Mexico, offers qualified undergraduates the opportunity to further enrich a challenging academic program via rigorous classes taught by master teachers. NMSU is truly a reflection of the region's vibrant communities - an exciting place to tackle challenges, find answers to important issues and prepare for the future. For generations, our researchers have made important discoveries in agriculture, engineering, science and many other fields.
Project Description
The goal of the Art in Public Places program 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. Digital and new media projects are encouraged, especially those responding to the uses of the computer lab itself, as well as its larger context within the HJULC facility, and NMSU as a whole. The LSC is interested in commissioning a work that speaks to ideas of education, innovation, diversity, and community. The LSC would like the artwork to speak to the 21st Century University – A caring community transforming lives. The artwork should be engaging, yet not distracting, as the space is used for study and school work. Artists are encouraged to explore designs inspired by technology and the collaborative nature of the HJULC facility. Although the LSC is interested in ideas utilizing technology, an element of timelessness will be essential.
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.
Selection Process
The Local Selection Committee is made up of representatives from the owner and user agencies of the facility, the project architect, an artist, and arts professionals. In some cases representatives from the student body serve on the committee. Under the guidance of an AIPP Project Coordinator, this group of individuals 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.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 a public presentation at the college. All maquettes, samples and written proposals will become the property of New Mexico State University.
Selection Criteria
Artists submitting qualifications should demonstrate a level of experience and professionalism that is commensurate with the project scope and budget, which include (but are not limited to) the following:
Timeline (subject to change)
Submission Requirements
Incomplete or late submissions will not be accepted. Supplemental information beyond what is requested, including proposals specific to this project, will not be reviewed. Failure to provide any of the published requirements will result in disqualification. Duplicate submissions will not be accepted. The following items are all REQUIRED:
How to Apply
Apply only through CallforEntry.org (CaFE). No mailed, delivered or emailed applications will be accepted. There is no cost to use CaFE and there is no application fee.
If you would like your CaFE submission reviewed by an AIPP staff person to assure completeness and compliance with the requirements, please contact AIPP staff 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 there is no guarantee of CaFE submission reviews during the final two weeks of the competition. Submission materials will not be reviewed on the day of the deadline.
QUESTIONS? Contact Michelle Laflamme-Childs, 505-827-6490 or michelle.laflamme-c@state.nm.us
