New Mexico Only Purchase Initiative

The Art in Public Places program enriches New Mexico's public spaces through an innovative and diverse public art collection. Since its inception in 1986, the program has placed more than 3,000 works of art in all of New Mexico's 33 counties. Through a fair and open public process, committees made up of local and regional representatives work with New Mexico Arts staff to select artwork for their communities.

The New Mexico Only Purchase Initiative seeks to diversify the state's public art collection by purchasing artwork from artists in all stages of their careers. All media in all genres suitable for both interior and exterior display will be considered for purchase. Artwork must be durable, permanent, low-maintenance and in compliance with ADA guidelines upon installation. The project is open to artists who reside in New Mexico and galleries located in New Mexico. Galleries may submit qualifications on behalf of any artist represented by the gallery, regardless of the artist's residency.

Artwork will be purchased for publicly accessible buildings throughout the State of New Mexico, including amphitheaters, animal shelters, community centers, courthouses, educational institutions, fire stations, healthcare facilities, recreation complexes, and senior centers. Project budgets range from $1,000 to $20,000, all-inclusive. The all-inclusive price covers materials, labor, insurance, taxes, commissions, fees, delivery, all installation costs, travel, museum quality framing under Plexiglas, security-hangers, pedestals/bases for three-dimensional works, Plexiglas bonnets for small three-dimensional works, project plaques, and written and professional photographic documentation. Artists are responsible for coordinating and installing purchased work, with installation costs included in the artwork price.

Submissions must include an artist's statement (2000 character limit), current resume or curriculum vitae, and up to three images of previously completed work currently available for purchase ranging from $1,000-$20,000. Complete image citations must include title, media, dimensions, price, year of completion, description, and if applicable, edition size and print/casting number. A Submission Review Committee of artists and arts professionals will score applications. The final pool of artwork will be presented to Regional Buying Committees made up of representatives from owner and user agencies of eligible sites. Artwork included in the final pool is not a guarantee of sale. Notification of finalists is scheduled for September 2017, with purchase notifications occurring October 2017 through June 2019, and artwork installation through December 2020.