Are You an Artist?
How to Participate
Direct Purchase Program
Every year the PUBLIC ART – AIPP program launches an open call for art through one of the following Purchase Initiatives, through CaFÉ.
Purchase Initiative’s Parameters:
New Mexico Only
Open to NM Artists Only (artists currently living/working in NM, with a NM mailing address), seeking artwork (of any medium/size) with an all-inclusive* price between $1,000 – $20,000.
Native American/Indigenous Artists
Open to all artists (with preference for artists who identify as Native American/Indigenous) in the extended Southwest (CA, AZ, UT, CO, OK, NM, TX), seeking artwork (of any medium/size) with an all-inclusive* price between $5,000 – $50,000. Click HERE to apply
Large Scale
Open to all artists in the Southwest (NM, TX, OK, CO, UT, AZ), seeking artwork (of any medium/size) with an all-inclusive* price between $50,000-$200,000.
*All-inclusive price must include all of the following associated costs: cost of artwork, museum quality framing under Plexiglas, security hangers, pedestal and Plexiglas bonnet/vitrine for smaller three dimensional artworks, installation (including site preparation and foundation/concrete pad/footings for exterior sculpture installations), project plaque, travel, delivery, labor, insurance, taxes, fees, as well as any professional photography documentation that may be required as part of your proof of installation. PLEASE ACCOUNT FOR ALL OF THESE ASSOCIATED COSTS WHEN PRICING YOUR ARTWORK.*
Please visit CaFÉ to set up your FREE Artist account(s) today, upload images of the Artist’s portfolio, and be ready to apply to the next PUBLIC ART – AIPP Purchase Initiative Call. As a gallery, you can create a FREE account for as many artists as you would like to represent.
Current Opportunities
Prospectus #278 Native American and Indigenous Artists Purchase Initiative https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=13786
Prospectus #279 – NM DCA Coloring Book Illustrations – Request for Qualifications https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=13788
2025 New Mexico Arts Artist Residency – Los Luceros Historic Site
https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=13787
Prospectus #280 Site Specific Commission for Roosevelt Science Center, Eastern New Mexico University https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=14233
Please check HERE for other opportunities.
Site-Specific Commission Projects
A public site (owner agency) must accumulate over $100,000 in PUBLIC ART – AIPP funds in order to facilitate a Site-Specific Commission Project, all calls for artists (Request for Qualifications) will be launched via CaFÉ.
How to Prepare for a Site-Specific Commission Project
- Create a FREE artist account on CaFÉ
- Upload your portfolio to your CaFÉ account
- Follow directions on prospectus (will be located in the call language on CaFÉ)
Artist-in-Residence
Launched in 2023, the Artist-in-Residence program provides artists with time and space to develop their creative practice, to further connect with rich cultures throughout New Mexico and to bring their artwork and experience to the public through engagement and participation. In partnership with the Department of Cultural Affairs: Historic Sites Division, New Mexico Arts provides local and national artists a unique opportunity to explore their practice and rural New Mexico.
Please click HERE to learn more about the NM Arts Artist-in-Residence Program.
Artist FAQs
If we can display it safely/protected in a public building/site we will accept. None of the PUBLIC ART – AIPP Purchase Initiatives are limited by medium/size/style. New Mexico Arts will consider artwork in any medium including: drawing, painting, fresco (on a support), sculpture, mosaic (on a support), photography, calligraphy, graphic arts, etching, lithography, offset printing, silkscreen, clay, textile, fiber, wood, metal, plastic, glass, mixed media, collage, assemblage, and more. If you are unsure if your artwork is suitable for the PUBLIC ART – AIPP program, please reach out to our PUBLIC ART – AIPP team.
Absolutely! As a matter of fact, galleries can submit for multiple artists, please see the Gallery Page Here for more information.
When pricing artwork, don’t just include the artwork price, artists will be responsible for installing their framed/protected artworks on site (sites can be located anywhere in New Mexico) please remember to include the following associated costs: cost of artwork, museum quality framing under Plexiglas, security hangers, pedestal and Plexiglas bonnet/vitrine for smaller three dimensional artworks, installation (including site preparation and foundation/concrete pad/footings for exterior sculpture/installations), project plaque, travel, delivery, labor, insurance, taxes, fees, as well as any professional photography documentation that may be required as part of your proof of installation. PLEASE ACCOUNT FOR ALL OF THESE ASSOCIATED COSTS AS PART OF YOUR ARTWORK PRICE.
The Large-Scale Purchase Initiative is a call for artwork in a specific price range. Seeking artwork in the $50,000 – $200,000 price range. This can be a monumental exterior sculpture, or a suite of photographs, and everything in between, as long as the final all-inclusive price fits within this price range.
Artists can install personally or hire a local art handler to install on their behalf. Artists are responsible for the artwork framing/delivery/safe and secure installation on site and associated costs (hence the need for all-inclusive pricing). If you have specific questions about installation/artwork preparation, please CLICK HERE for our Artist Guide, or contact a member of the PUBLIC ART – AIPP team.
The PUBLIC ART – AIPP program assists in the acquisition of hundreds of artworks for installation in public buildings/sites in all 33 counties of New Mexico annually.
Each owner agency (site) is required to form a Regional Buying Committee or Local Selection Committee. That committee is typically made up of employees of that facility/local government/institution, members of the community, local artists, users of the facility, and others. The PUBLIC ART – AIPP team has zero say in the selection process, to ensure the site acquires what they love and will own permanently onsite. The committee will review the artwork or artists as collected through one or more of our calls (purchase initiatives or call for artists/request for qualifications), and select within their PUBLIC ART – AIPP fund budget.
As per the Art in Public Places Act, 1% of any Capital Outlay allocation made (by the State Legislature) for the construction or major renovation of a public building, must be set aside for the acquisition of PUBLIC ART – AIPP for that building/site. Click here to read more about the Art in Public Places Act or associated NM Administrative code (NMAC).
Click HERE for step-by-step instructions on creating and building your artist profile.
CLICK HERE for contact information for our PUBLIC ART – AIPP team. Please feel free to reach out via email or phone with any questions regarding purchase initiative specifics.
CLICK HERE for our Framing/Plaque Guidelines
Page header image, Harvesting History by Roxanne Darling
