BIPOC Artists Purchase Initiative

The Art in Public Places Program enriches New Mexico's public spaces through an innovative and diverse public art collection. Since 1986, the program has placed more than 3,000 works of art in all of New Mexico's 33 counties. The BIPOC Purchase Initiative aims to increase the participation of BIPOC artists in the program and diversify the state's public art collection by purchasing artwork by diverse artists in all stages of their careers.

This project is open to artists who reside in New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas, with special consideration given to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) artists. Galleries may submit qualifications on behalf of any artists represented by the gallery, regardless of the artist's residency. All media in all genres suitable for interior and exterior display will be considered for purchase. Artwork must be durable, permanent, low-maintenance, and in compliance with ADA guidelines upon installation. Artwork will be purchased for publicly accessible buildings throughout New Mexico, including amphitheaters, animal shelters, community centers, courthouses, educational institutions, fire stations, healthcare facilities, recreation complexes, rest areas, and senior centers.

Artwork price range must be $1,000-$50,000 all inclusive, covering materials, labor, insurance, taxes, commissions, fees, delivery, installation, travel, museum quality framing under Plexiglas, security hangers, pedestal for three-dimensional works, Plexiglas bonnet for small three-dimensional works, project plaque, and written and photographic documentation. Submissions must include an artist statement (5,000 character limit) discussing your work, medium, techniques, and how your cultural background and/or experiences influence your artmaking practice, plus up to three images of completed work currently available for purchase with complete citations including title, media, dimensions, price, year completed, and description. The submission deadline is August 30, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. MDT. Contact Meredith Doborski at [email protected] or 505-827-6490 for questions.