Fire Station 9 Public Art Commission

The City of Las Cruces Public Art program seeks an artist or artist team to create a site-specific outdoor art piece for the new Fire Station #9. The commissioned artwork should be evocative of the history and ethos of the local firefighting community, add identity to the fire station and neighborhood, and serve as a focal point visible from several vantage points. The art piece may be inspired by an original 1915 Model T Ford Chemical Pumper Engine that will be displayed in the fire station lobby.

Fire Station #9 is located at the corner of Central Ave. and Sonoma Ranch Blvd. in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The proposed public art area is approximately 15 sq. ft., or if multiple pieces, a maximum of 3,000 sq. ft. The artwork must be freestanding, 3-dimensional, composed of durable mediums, and large enough to serve as a communal wayfinding marker visible from multiple vantage points. It must be UV/sun resistant, non-glare, with no blinking lights, distracting sounds, or water features. No solely painted mural concepts will be accepted. The artwork must be safe, low maintenance, and expected to last the life of the building.

A $100,000 budget is available for the completed and installed project, including all design, fabrication, installation, materials, equipment, labor, permits, engineering documents, insurance, shipping, and documentation. The selected artist or team will be required to enter into a Professional Services Contract with the City of Las Cruces. Up to three semi-finalists will be invited to submit formal proposals and receive a $750 honorarium. Semi-finalists must prepare a maquette at 1/8 scale, renderings, fabrication schedule, budget outline, maintenance schedule, and documented experience with proposed materials. This commission is open to all artists and artist teams regardless of background or experience level, though artists should demonstrate expertise and professionalism commensurate with the project scope and budget.