AHA Festival 2015 - Site-Specific Public Art Project

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 2,500 works of art in all of New Mexico's 33 counties. 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 fifth annual AHA Festival of Progressive Arts will take place on September 19-20, 2015 at the Santa Fe Railyard Plaza. This call is for a site-specific project that will enhance and add to the art, music, and performance format of the Sunday portion of the festival. The spirit of the festival favors work that is interdisciplinary, participatory, and of the DIY ethos. Proposals with elements spread throughout the site are encouraged. At the end of the event, a display-quality permanent object must be delivered for inclusion in the State of New Mexico's Public Art collection.

Eligibility is open to all artists or artist teams who are legal residents of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah. Up to $5,000 is available for the selected project, covering all fees and expenses including materials, equipment, labor, permits, engineering documents, insurance, taxes, travel, installation, shipping, identification plaque, permanent art object, and documentation. Media must be low maintenance, safe for both children and adults, ADA compliant, and not leave a permanent mark on the environment when removed. The Santa Fe Railyard Plaza extends from the Railyard Water Tower on Market Street to Paseo de Peralta, between the Farmers Market Building and the railroad tracks. Work can be attached to or hung from the water tower and/or shade structure if done without damage. No artwork requiring concrete pads or other environmentally damaging approaches will be considered. Installation is scheduled for September 18, 2015, with project uninstallation and site restoration by September 21, 2015.