North Valley Aquatics Center Public Art Commission

The Bernalillo County Arts Board solicits a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for artists or artists' teams for a site-specific, outdoor public art project at the North Valley Aquatics Center/Raymond G. Sanchez Community Center, located at 9800 Fourth Street NW, Albuquerque. The public art project will be completed in two phases, with Phase I installed by May 2025 and Phase II completed by January 2026. The call is open to New Mexico-based artists. The established budget for the project is $75,000, with $35,000 for Phase I and $40,000 for Phase II.

The proposed location for the public art is an outdoor wall on the north end of the new swimming pool, approximately 560 square feet (70 feet long by eight feet tall), made of concrete masonry units (CMU). The artwork will be visible from the adjacent soccer field and park as well as to users of the Aquatic Center's therapy and outdoor pools. The winning artist or team will work with local schools in the North Valley to help create the final design for the project and implement installation. The project will represent the cultures, heritage, and landscapes of Albuquerque and the North Valley.

The Board seeks artists or artists' teams working in murals, mosaics, and other large scale public art. Durability and low maintenance of all materials is required. The artist must ensure that the artwork is protected against graffiti and ultraviolet rays. Materials may include durable, graffiti and UV-resistant paint, mosaic, steel, or other media. Eligible artists must reside in New Mexico and demonstrate ability to complete projects on time and within budget, understanding of the region and its history and population, and experience with community engagement especially with youth. No prior experience in public art is required. Submission deadline is February 16, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. MST. Submit through the Café website: artist's statement, letter of intent, current resume, 3-10 digital images of past work, up to one video, and an annotated image key. There is no application fee.