NMDOT I-25 Missouri Avenue Bridge Art Commission

The NMDOT Bridge Art Program seeks an artist or artist team to create site-specific designs for the Missouri Avenue Bridge at I-25 in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The program enriches New Mexico's public spaces through an innovative and diverse public art collection reflecting the diversity of the arts in New Mexico, the Southwest, and the nation.

The selected artist will design imagery to be cast in concrete formliners into both the concrete bridge abutments and wall barrier. The final design should express local values, relate to local context, and provide a visual narrative for the traveling public. Through public input, the design theme will include one or more of the following: Las Cruces, Mesilla Valley culture, Organ Mountains, scenic/landscape, or nature elements. The themes may be interpreted symbolically or figuratively. The commissioned work will be expected to address textures, colors, and form.

This request for qualifications is open to all artists or artist teams who are legal residents of New Mexico. Applicants should submit 3 to 6 images of previously completed work via CaFÉ, along with a paragraph addressing the project needs, the artist's interest and motivation, and an outline of professional qualifications. The initial submission should demonstrate general qualifications and experience on projects of similar scope and intent, not a site-specific concept. Up to five semi-finalists will be invited to submit a formal proposal and will receive an honorarium of $250 for submitting a proposal and attending the selection meeting on May 30, 2014. The selected artist will be required to attend all meetings for the design and approvals process (minimum of six meetings) and will be responsible for all material costs through the design phase. The selected artist will enter into an agreement with the consultant (Molzen-Corbin). Key dates: April 16, 2014 at 11:59 p.m. MDT – Electronic submission deadline; May 1, 2014 – Electronic notification of semi-finalists; May 30, 2014 – Semi-finalist presentations and commission awarded; June 1 – July 31, 2014 – Interim reviews and final artwork due; July 17, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. – Public meeting with artist presentation; July 31, 2014 – Artwork scans completed and delivered to NMDOT.