Western and Central US Native and Indigenous Artists Purchase Initiative

The Art in Public Places program enriches New Mexico's public spaces through an innovative and diverse public art collection. Since its inception in 1986, the program has placed almost 3,000 works of art in all of New Mexico's 33 counties. The goal of the 2022 US Native and Indigenous Artists Purchase Initiative is to diversify the state's public art collection by purchasing artwork from Native or Indigenous artists in all stages of their careers. Although this initiative is open to all artists, special consideration shall be given to artists who identify as members of a Native American tribe or community. All visual arts media in all genres, suitable for interior or exterior display, will be considered for purchase. Artwork must be durable, permanent, low-maintenance and in compliance with ADA guidelines upon installation.

Artwork will be purchased for publicly accessible buildings throughout the State of New Mexico, including amphitheaters, animal shelters, community centers, courthouses, educational institutions, fire stations, healthcare facilities, recreation complexes, rest areas, and senior centers. Project amounts are $1,000 - $50,000 all-inclusive. The price of the artwork is considered all-inclusive of materials, labor, insurance, taxes, commissions, fees, delivery, installation, travel, museum quality framing under Plexiglas, security-hangers, pedestal for small and large three-dimensional works, Plexiglas bonnet for small three-dimensional works, project plaque, and written and professional photographic documentation. The price of large exterior three-dimensional work should include site preparation and foundation.

Eligibility is open to artists residing in the Central, Mountain, or Pacific time zones of the United States as well as galleries in this region. Galleries may submit qualifications on behalf of any artist represented by the gallery, regardless of the artist's residency. Submissions must include an artist statement (5000 character limit), up to three images of previously completed work currently available for purchase with complete citations including title, media, dimensions, price, year of completion, and description. The submission deadline is October 31, 2022 at midnight Mountain Time. Multiple artwork selection meetings will be conducted statewide during the course of the purchase initiative, which is approximately two years. Artwork included in the final pool is not a guarantee of sale. If a submitted piece is sold through another venue, the artist or artist's representative is required to notify New Mexico Arts immediately. Contact: TJ Hilton, Art in Public Places Project Coordinator, 505.487.0519, [email protected].