Art in Public Places Program #245: Center for Recreational Excellence, Hobbs, NM

The Art in Public Places Program of New Mexico Arts and the Local Selection Committee for the Center of Recreational Excellence (CORE) in Hobbs, New Mexico seek an artist or artist team to create a site-specific commission project to be situated outside the main entrance of the recreational facility. Kinetic and light responsive projects are encouraged, especially those responding to the use of the recreational center and its larger function in the City of Hobbs and Lea County. The committee is interested in commissioning a work that speaks to ideas of energy, movement, transformation, and community, considering the abundant energy sources that sustain the Lea County area. The artist/artist team should consider the viewer experiencing the artwork from inside the CORE facility as well as outside and draw people in from multiple vantage points.

Media must be durable enough to sustain an 80 mph wind load, low maintenance, permanent, safe for both children and adults, and be ADA compliant. At the selected artist's expense, the artwork may require certification by an electrical, civil, and/or structural engineer licensed to practice in the State of New Mexico, and review by a professional fine art conservator. The project budget is $250,000, which includes all fees and expenses associated with the project such as materials, equipment, labor, permits, engineering documents, insurance, taxes, travel, installation, shipping, identification plaque, and documentation of the completed project.

This request for qualifications is open to all artists or artist teams working in the United States. Artists submitting qualifications should demonstrate a level of experience and professionalism commensurate with the project scope and budget. Qualifications submitted by current employees or family of current employees of New Mexico Junior College, Lea County, J.F Maddox Foundation, and the City of Hobbs will not be considered. Up to five finalists will be invited to submit a formal proposal and will receive a $1,000 honorarium for a written proposal and maquette. One site visit will be required of each finalist to present the artwork proposal to the Local Selection Committee. Finalists will also receive a travel stipend based on distance: $250 for 50-300 miles one-way, $450 for 301-800 miles one-way, and $900 for 801 miles and over one-way. Submissions must include a letter of interest (no longer than 3 paragraphs), a current chronological resume or curriculum vitae, and up to ten images or videos of previously completed work.