Call for Mural Artists in Albuquerque's International District

About the project: Somos is a four-story community featuring 59 affordable housing units and 11 market-rate apartments, thoughtfully designed with residents aged 55 and older in mind, though welcoming to all. Amenities include a community room, fitness center, on-site food pantry, enrichment services, and first floor retail space. The building sits steps from the ART International District transit station on the iconic Route 66 corridor.

The International District is one of Albuquerque's most culturally rich and diverse neighborhoods, though one that has long been underinvested. This mural is an opportunity to celebrate the neighborhood's people, resilience, and future. The work will be one of the most visible pieces of public art in the area, seen daily by residents, commuters, fairground visitors, and travelers on Route 66, framed by the stunning backdrop of the Sandia Mountains.

Artistic Direction: We are not prescribing a single narrative as we want to hear your vision! We invite submissions that engage authentically with the spirit of the International District: its multicultural identity, its many communities and generations, and its place within Albuquerque's story. We welcome all visual traditions, styles, and artistic mediums suitable for large-scale exterior application, including paint, tile, mixed media, and beyond. This is an open invitation to dream boldly.

The mural spans two exterior elevations, beginning at the third floor and continuing to the top of the structure. Due to the height and scale of the mural area, artist(s) will need to provide liability insurance for the duration of the project, as well as their own scaffolding and necessary equipment.