Prospectus #290 Southwest Artists Series Purchase Initiative

PLEASE READ THIS CALL IN ITS ENTIRETY BEFORE SUBMITTING

New Mexico Arts' Art in Public Places program announces the 2026 Southwest Artists Series Purchase Initiative. The objective of this initiative is to diversify the state's public art collection by purchasing artwork from artists in all stages of their careers. The call is open to artists who reside in and galleries that are located in the Southwest: New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas. Artists or galleries are invited to submit qualifications as well as three professional quality images of artwork completed and available for purchase. Galleries may submit qualifications on behalf of any artist represented by the gallery, regardless of the artist's residency. Seeking artwork in the $5,000 - $50,000 price range.

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 amounting to over $21 million dollars in funds paid directly to artists. 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, local, regional, and state-wide committees work with New Mexico Arts to select artwork for their communities.

Project Intent

The objective of the 2026 Southwest Artists Series Purchase Initiative is to diversify the state's public art collection by purchasing artwork from artists in all stages of their careers. All media in all genres, suitable for both interior or exterior display, will be considered for purchase. Artwork must be durable, permanent, low-maintenance and in compliance with ADA guidelines upon installation.

Site Information

Artwork will be purchased for publicly accessible buildings throughout the State of New Mexico. The facilities encompass a broad range of use including, but not limited to: amphitheaters, animal shelters, community centers, courthouses, educational institutions, fire stations, healthcare facilities, libraries, recreation complexes, rest areas, senior centers, etc. Participating sites will have a total budget equal to 1% of recent eligible capital outlay funding allocated for new construction or major renovation projects.

Artwork Price Range

We seek artwork in the $5,000 - $50,000 price range; final price must be all-inclusive as it pertains to each artwork.

Upon submission, the price of the artwork is considered all-inclusive of the following: materials, labor, museum quality framing under Plexiglas, security hangers, pedestal and Plexiglas bonnet for three-dimensional artworks, delivery (travel), installation, insurance, taxes, commissions, other fees, and project plaque, as well as written and professional photographic documentation of the artwork.

A Submission Review Committee of state-wide artists, arts professionals, and community leaders will score applications based on the selection criteria. All New Mexico Arts public art projects are fair and open competitions; therefore not all applicants who apply will be included in the final pool of artwork shown to local selection committees for purchase consideration. Local Selection Committees are made up of representatives from the owner and/or user agencies of eligible sites and are responsible for selecting the artwork to be purchased and permanently displayed in their facilities.

The final pool of available artwork will be showcased to potential buyers for two years, at which time a new call will be made for fresh artwork.