NM Tech Public Art Site Specific Commission Project - Socorro, New Mexico

The Art in Public Places Program of New Mexico Arts and New Mexico Tech seek to commission an artist or artist team to create and install site-specific artwork for a courtyard area behind Brown Hall on the NMT campus in Socorro, NM. The artwork should provide shade, seating, tables, and possible lighting and charging stations while creating an accessible gathering space for students, faculty, visitors, and community members.

The artwork must provide accessible seating, shade, and tables to create a gathering place for all users, and must provide visual storytelling that invites and engages with campus and community. Optional elements include solar or electric lighting, solar or electric charging stations, and incorporation of university research areas such as geosciences, astrophysics, geology, mining, biomedical sciences, and engineering disciplines. The artwork may also represent the history of families that contributed to the area's success, acknowledge indigenous history and cultural heritage, or reference the region's ranching, farming, and mining heritage. Artwork must be constructed from materials that will survive permanent outdoor installation in Southern New Mexico's climate with high public traffic and regular exposure to sunlight, wind, and rain. Water features are not permitted. The artwork must fit the allotted installation area and cannot be installed over existing utility lines. All artwork must be durable, low maintenance, permanent, safe for children and adults, and ADA compliant.

The project budget is $390,500 (after finalist presentation fees), which covers all fees and expenses including materials, equipment, labor, permits, engineering documents, insurance, taxes, travel, installation, shipping, identification plaque, and documentation. This is a request for qualifications only; proposals for artwork should not be submitted at this time. The entry deadline is May 1, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. MDT. Applicants must submit 5-15 images and 0-5 videos (5-20 total samples). Contact: [email protected].