---
title: New Mexico Blue Bus Shelter Art - Call for Artists
description: Request for qualifications from New Mexico artists to create digital artwork for Blue Bus shelters in Taos, Española and Santa Fe. $5,000 per completed artwork.
url: https://www.artsume.com/programs/6bae9aa5-1cd3-4826-87d8-7ad4fc45bd78
type: program
status: closed
createdAt: "2026-09-03"
updatedAt: "2026-09-16"
programType: Public art
organization: New Mexico Arts
organizationUrl: https://www.artsume.com/o/new-mexico-arts
deadline: "2026-09-15"
location: Blue Bus bus shelters, Santa Fe, NM, United States
isOnline: false
compensationRange: $5,000 per completed artwork, inclusive of all fees and expenses
disciplines:
  - digital art
---

# New Mexico Blue Bus Shelter Art - Call for Artists

**Hosted by:** New Mexico Arts

**Type:** Public art | **Location:** Blue Bus bus shelters, Santa Fe, NM, United States | **Deadline:** September 15, 2026

## About This Program

> "Connection to local culture and community; local cultural homelands and use of local languages, landscapes and agricultural practices; diversity of lifeways, traditions and landmarks; the artist's lived experience"

### Opportunity Summary

The Art in Public Places Program of New Mexico Arts at the NM Department of Cultural Affairs (NMDCA), in collaboration with the Art in Transit Program (AITP) of the North Central Regional Transit District (NCRTD) seek to hire 9 artists to create digital artwork to be printed and installed to perforated steel panels for 3 *Blue Bus* bus shelters across Northern New Mexico. Selected artists will create original works of art, digitize and submit to the Art in Transit Committee for review and approval. Artwork should showcase each community, the local culture and connections while highlighting the cultural homelands and use of local landscapes, agricultural practices, diversity of lifeways, traditions, landmarks and languages. Artists should incorporate their lived experience and connections to the community. Chosen artists will be commissioned to create a digital artwork or digitize non-digital artwork to fit a 2 or 3 panel bus shelter. All printing, installation will be handled by NCRTD.

### Project Intent

The Art in Public Places Program of New Mexico Arts at the NM Department of Cultural Affairs (NMDCA), in collaboration with the Art in Transit Program (AITP) of the North Central Regional Transit District - Blue Bus (NCRTD) seek to hire 9 artists to create digital artwork to be printed and installed to perforated steel panels for 3 *Blue Bus* bus shelters across Northern New Mexico. Selected artists will create original works of art, digitize and submit to the Art in Transit Committee for review and approval. Artwork should showcase each community, the local culture and connections while highlighting the cultural homelands and use of local landscapes, agricultural practices, diversity of lifeways, traditions, landmarks and languages. Artists should incorporate their lived experience and connections to the community. Chosen artists will be commissioned to create a digital artwork or digitize non-digital artwork to fit a 2 or 3 panel bus shelter. All printing and installation will be handled by NCRTD and subcontractors.

Each bus shelter panel measures approximately 53” x 77”. Three bus shelters in total in Taos, Española, and Santa Fe. Two bus shelters have 2 panels, one bus shelter has 3 panels. One artist will be selected per bus shelter.

Guiding themes for artwork:

- Connection to local culture and community
- Highlight local cultural homelands and use of local languages, landscapes, and agricultural practices
- Showcase the diversity of our lifeways, traditions, and landmarks
- Communicate your lived experience

*Blue Bus* bus shelters are experienced by the local public, school children, residents, users/riders, and passersby.

The mission of the North Central Regional Transit District is to improve communities’ quality of life by providing a resilient, equitable, and effective public transportation system.

The North Central Regional Transit District Blue Bus™ began service in 2007, celebrating over 20 years of service. With headquarters in Española, New Mexico, the Blue Bus connects communities, pueblos and tribes across 10,000 square miles throughout north central New Mexico, serving residents in Santa Fe, Rio Arriba, Taos and Los Alamos counties as well as eight Northern Pueblos and the Jicarilla Apache Nation. Additional services connect communities in San Juan, Mora and San Miguel Counties. The District operates a mix of fixed-routes, on-demand MyBlue™, an app-based ridesharing service, and free paratransit/ADA services for medically qualified riders. Further expanding its reach, the Blue Bus provides riders with connections to New Mexico Rail Runner, Santa Fe Trails, NMDOT Park and Ride, Los Alamos Atomic City Transit, Po’ Pay Messenger Service and Red River Miner’s Transit. All buses are ADA accessible and equipped with bicycle racks. Bus services are fare free and the MyBlue™ rideshare fare is $1 per one-way trip.

### Project Amount

**Artists will be paid $5,000 per completed artwork (digital file approximately 53” x 77” per panel, file size/dpi resolution requirements will be provided to finalists selected)**. This amount includes all fees and expenses associated with the project, e.g., materials, equipment, labor, taxes, and travel.

### Selection Process and Criteria

The Art in Transit Committee is made up of representatives from across Northern New Mexico including Rio Arriba County, Santa Fe County, Taos County, Los Alamos, Ohkay Owingeh, and Taos Pueblo. Under the guidance of an AIPP Project Coordinator, the Art in Transit Committee is responsible for prospectus development, submission review, finalist selection and ultimately selecting the final artists/artworks to be printed and installed at the bus shelters.

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

- The 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 scope. - (digital artwork and/or ability to digitize existing artwork, demonstrated themes similar to those within the scope of this project, etc.).

Artists selected for this project will be required to enter into an artist agreement with the State of New Mexico.

**PLEASE DO NOT CREATE AND SUBMIT ARTWORK FOR THIS PROJECT AT THIS TIME. WE ARE ONLY REQUESTING QUALIFICATIONS AND PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED EXAMPLES OF SIMILAR WORK, AND/OR ARTWORK THAT DEMONSTRATES YOUR STYLE AND TECHNIQUE.**

### Application Requirements

- **Artist Statement** no longer than 5,000 characters (including spaces). Describe your work, medium, techniques, cultural background and/or experience that influences your art.
- **Additional Questions:** Tell us your transportation story. Do you have a personal story about utilizing public transportation? What is your connection to the area (Northern New Mexico: Taos/Rio Arriba/Santa Fe counties)? What excites you about this public art opportunity? And how might you approach the project if selected? Which bus shelter location would you like to submit artwork for: Española – Jim West Headquarters (3 panels), Taos in front of Smith's Grocery (2 panels), or Santa Fe by Fort Marcy Park (2 panels)?
- **Helpful Links**. Please provide any website or social media links that will help us learn more about you as an artist and your artistic practice. An extended biography can also go here (up to 5,000 characters, including spaces).
- **Up to ten images of previously completed artwork**. When possible, please submit images of artwork similar to the scope of this project (digital artwork, artwork with local themes, etc.), otherwise, please include images of your artwork that demonstrates your style, technique, and perspective. Complete image citations will be required; including artwork title, medium, height, width and depth, price or value, year of completion, and project description.

### Eligibility Criteria

This request for qualifications is **open to all artists working in New Mexico**. Artists residing within or whom demonstrate strong ties to Northern New Mexico (specifically Taos, Rio Arriba, and Santa Fe counties) will be given preference. Artists submitting qualifications should demonstrate an ability to create similar work commensurate with the scope of this project. AIPP regulations state that 1% funds may not be utilized 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 NM Department of Cultural Affairs (NMDCA) or North Central Regional Transit District (NCRTD) 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 qualifications but may not become employed by NMDCA for the duration of the project.

## Eligibility & Requirements

- **Geographic Eligibility:** Regional
- **Disciplines:** digital art
- **Note:** Submission Limit: 1

Eligibility Criteria

This request for qualifications is **open to all artists working in New Mexico**. Artists residing within or whom demonstrate strong ties to Northern New Mexico (specifically Taos, Rio Arriba, and Santa Fe counties) will be given preference. Artists submitting qualifications should demonstrate an ability to create similar work commensurate with the scope of this project. AIPP regulations state that 1% funds may not be utilized 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 NM Department of Cultural Affairs (NMDCA) or North Central Regional Transit District (NCRTD) 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 qualifications but may not become employed by NMDCA for the duration of the project.

### Additional Requirements

All materials must be submitted via CaFÉ (callforentry.org): an Artist Statement no longer than 5,000 characters describing your work, medium, techniques, cultural background and/or experience that influences your art; answers to additional questions (your transportation story; your connection to Northern New Mexico — Taos/Rio Arriba/Santa Fe counties; what excites you about the opportunity and how you might approach the project; which bus shelter location you would like to submit artwork for); helpful website or social media links plus optional extended biography (up to 5,000 characters); and up to ten images of previously completed artwork with complete image citations including artwork title, medium, height, width and depth, price or value, year of completion, and project description.

Media allowed: Images min 1 / max 10, Audio max 2, Video max 2, total max 10.

## Compensation & Benefits

$5,000 per completed artwork, inclusive of all fees and expenses

**Includes:** Commission fee

**Artists will be paid $5,000 per completed artwork (digital file approximately 53” x 77” per panel, file size/dpi resolution requirements will be provided to finalists selected)**. This amount includes all fees and expenses associated with the project, e.g., materials, equipment, labor, taxes, and travel.

## Timeline

- **Opens:** July 8, 2026
- **Deadline:** September 15, 2026

## Contact

**Contact:** Meredith Doborski

**Email:** meredith.doborski@dca.nm.gov

**Phone:** 505-396-0326

## How to Apply

Apply at: https://artist.callforentry.org/agreetoterms.php?ID=17632