UNM Hospital Children's Psychiatric Center - Public Art Commission

The Art in Public Places Program of New Mexico Arts and the Local Selection Committee of the University of New Mexico Hospital seek to commission an artist or artist team to create and install site-specific artwork for two designated indoor corridors, including windows, at the new Children's Psychiatric Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The artwork should emphasize serenity, reduce stress, and support well-being while promoting a calm atmosphere for all patients and staff. As a behavioral and mental health facility, artwork must adhere to trauma informed design approaches to ensure the safety of all patients.

Proposed artwork must emphasize brightening, enlivening, and creating an environment that is pleasant, welcoming, comforting, and relaxing while aligning with current color schemes in the space. Artwork cannot include patterns or imagery that are hypnotic, trauma inducing, overstimulating, violent, derogatory, culturally insensitive, dark, menacing, distorted, or claustrophobic. The artwork must incorporate both identified corridors (North and South) and the windows in the south corridor, utilize anti-ligature hardware, and be constructed of materials suitable for permanent installation in high traffic areas with high sun exposure. Water features and kinetic elements will not be considered.

$350,000 total is available for this commission, including all fees and expenses associated with materials, equipment, labor, permits, engineering documents, insurance, taxes, travel, installation, shipping, identification plaque, and documentation. Up to five finalists will be invited to submit formal proposals and will receive a $1,000 honorarium plus travel stipends ranging from $500 to $1,800 based on distance. One site visit and in-person presentation will be required of each finalist.