Sawmill Community Public Art Project

The Sawmill Community Public Art Project seeks a prominent work of art for a site surrounding a detention pond in Albuquerque's Sawmill neighborhood. The detention pond utilizes innovative technologies to filter and cleanse reclaimed water from local residential sources for natural plantings. The site is located in a cultural corridor with three major museums, schools, and new amenities, linked to bicycle boulevards and trails. The Art Selection Committee seeks a project that addresses the need to link the unique natural grandeur of the region with the growing urban environment, responding to the arid high desert environment and the role water plays in this ecosystem. Adornment and embellishment are not priorities; rather, the committee seeks an intriguing fusion of purposes that mirrors the neighborhood, city, and region.

The total project budget is $250,000, inclusive of design, community engagement, design approval, fabrication, and installation. Up to five finalists will receive a $2,500 stipend to visit Albuquerque for interviews and presentations. One artist or artist team will be selected to receive a $30,000 design contract to cover community engagement, research, and design preparation, with approximately six months to prepare a final design. The remaining $220,000 will cover fabrication, construction, and on-site installation upon final approval.

This call is open to all qualified artists and artist teams with at least one member residing in the United States. The first round will be handled as an RFQ (Request For Qualifications) through which up to five finalists will be selected based on review of past projects of similar nature, success of previously undertaken projects with emphasis on collaboration, and aesthetic merit. Finalists will travel to Albuquerque for interviews with the Art Selection Committee. All material considerations should allow for a "low-impact" sensibility; permanent materials such as rock, cement, and metal are acceptable, as are ephemeral materials such as wood. Electronic displays, elaborate lighting configurations, and water features such as fountains are not encouraged. Applicants must submit an introductory letter of intent (not exceeding 1000 words), visual representations of relevant past work (maximum 10 images), an annotated image key, a current resume or CV, and three current references. The application deadline is January 15, 2019 at 11:59 p.m. MST. Questions may be directed to Dan Fuller at [email protected] or (505) 768-3837.