Animal Services Center Public Art Commission

Las Cruces Public Art (LCPA) seeks an artist or art team to create a site-specific outdoor art piece for the Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley (ASCMV), which is undergoing a major expansion. The art will be a large, free-standing sculpture installed in front of the new ASCMV facility, serving as a neighborhood focal point visible from surrounding streets and adjacent U.S. Highway 70. The sculpture may be 2D or 3D, constructed of single or varied durable mediums. The design should be inspired by the animals and services of ASCMV and serve as a beacon to the public. The sculpture may be conceptual or representational.

The selected artist or art team will be awarded $68,000 to design, fabricate, and install the artwork within eight months of signing the contract with the City of Las Cruces. This amount includes all fees and expenses: materials, labor, equipment, certifications, permits, engineering documents, insurance, taxes, shipping, identification plaque, and professional photographic documentation. The artwork must be structurally sound with materials that withstand desert climate conditions (high winds, extreme temperatures) and resist theft, vandalism, and excessive maintenance. The sculpture must meet environmental safety criteria: UV/sun resistant, limited outgassing, non-toxic, non-glare, no blinking lights, no distracting sounds, and no water features. It must be installed with sufficient anchoring to prevent removal or overturning due to high wind.

Eligibility is open to all artists or art teams working in the United States. Submissions must include a one-page letter of interest, current resume or curriculum vitae demonstrating relevant experience, and 5-10 images of previously completed work with complete citations. Up to three finalists will be invited to submit a formal proposal and will receive a $500 honorarium. The ASCMV Art Selection Committee will review submissions and recommend the ultimate selection to City Council.