Las Cruces Fire Station 3 Public Art Commission

Las Cruces Public Art (LCPA) seeks an artist or artist team to create a site-specific outdoor project for the new Fire Station Three building tower. The artwork will be designed and installed on three sides of the tower, beginning approximately 28 feet above ground level. The three sides have the following dimensions: front (west) 8'10" high by 11'8" wide, north side 8'10" high by 11'8" wide, and south side 8'10" high by 8' wide. The proposed art must be contained within these areas but is not required to fill the entire space. Art may be attached to the building and project out dimensionally but must withstand local high wind conditions.

The artwork must be durable, long-lasting (life of the building), weather and wind resistant, safe and low maintenance. It can be made of single or mixed media but must meet environmentally safe criteria: UV/sun resistant, non-outgassing, non-toxic, non-glare, no blinking lights, no distracting sounds, and no water. No solely painted mural concepts will be accepted. The art's theme should be inspired by firefighting, services of a fire station, or the station number, and may be conceptual or representational. The artwork should be large enough in scale and scope to provide a focal point for Fire Station Three.

The selected artist will be awarded $40,000 to design, fabricate and install the artwork within six months of signing the contract with the City of Las Cruces. This amount includes all fees and expenses: ladders, scissor-lift, scaffolding, materials, equipment, labor, certifications and permits, engineering documents, insurance, taxes, shipping, identification plaque, and written and professional photographic documentation. There is no other funding. At the artist's expense, a licensed practitioner in New Mexico (electrical, civil, or structural) must provide any required certifications. If necessary, the artwork should be reviewed by a professional fine art conservator. Semi-finalists will be required to present a schedule for installation and propose how installation can proceed with the least disruption to a working day.

Eligibility is open to all artists or art teams working in the United States. No member of the current City Art Board, Art Selection Committee, or employee of the City of Las Cruces may apply. Submissions must include: a one-page letter of interest addressing the project needs and professional qualifications; a current chronological resume or curriculum vitae demonstrating relevant work experience, particularly public art or privately funded commission projects; and ten images of previously completed work with complete citations including artwork title, medium, dimensions, price or value, year of completion, and project description including budget and commissioning agency. Up to three semi-finalists will be invited to submit a formal proposal and will receive a $500 honorarium for a written proposal and maquette, renderings, or 2-D representations to be completed within 60 days of notification. One site visit and in-person presentation to the Art Selection Committee and public will be required of each semi-finalist.