Prospectus #284 ENMU Portales Site Specific Sculpture Commission Project

The Art in Public Places Program of New Mexico Arts and the Local Selection Committee (LSC) of Eastern New Mexico University, Portales seek to commission and artist/artist team to create and install a work of public art on the grass quad in front (directly north) of the Administrative Building and adjacent (west) of the Student Services Building currently under construction on campus. One exterior location has been offered as the desired site for this permanent artwork installation. Artists currently working with and have experience in representational bronze sculptural practices are encouraged to submit qualifications. Five (5) finalists will be selected and paid $1,000 + travel expenses to create and present a formal proposal in person to the committee on campus. A total all-inclusive budget of $276,000 will be awarded to the selected artist/team whose design is commensurate with the size and scope of the project.

AIPP Mission Statement

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 more than 3,000 works of art in all of New Mexico’s 33 counties. Our goal is to reflect the diversity of the arts in New Mexico, the Southwest, and the nation while building a dynamic public art collection for the State of New Mexico.

Through a fair and open public process, committees made up of local and regional representatives work with New Mexico Arts staff to select artwork for their communities. The Art in Public Places program then commissions large-scale projects that are designed for integration directly into the architecture or landscape of a given site, or the program purchases existing original artwork to be placed in or around public buildings permanently or on loan.

Project Intent

The Art in Public Places Program of New Mexico Arts and the Local Selection Committee (LSC) of Eastern New Mexico University, Portales seek to commission and artist/artist team to create and install an exterior sculpture on the quad in front of the Administrative Building on the campus. This artwork MUST BE constructed out of materials that will survive a permanent installation outdoors in the Eastern New Mexico climate with regular exposure to sunlight, wind, and rain in a high traffic/public area on campus.

Using the university’s greyhound mascot as inspiration, the LSC would like to commission a representational bronze sculpture installation depicting a pack of greyhounds in distinctive sizes and age ranges (scaled to 1.25-1.5 size) arranged in various poses throughout the identified location on the quad. Alluding to the “tremendous sense of family” the university seeks to engender among its students—both past and present—through a shared educational journey, this public art installation will tell the story of the tight bonds and relationships that form on campus and remain in place for years to come. This greyhound “pack” will serve as the primary entry point when welcoming new students to the ENMU family as well as provide the backdrop for memorable events and ceremonies such as homecoming and graduation.

Throughout the final design process, and at the university’s expense, ENMU will work with the selected artist/artist team to collaborate on an evocative high-desert landscape backdrop of stones and native plants in which to situate this installation to ensure that this artistic contribution will become a welcomed and revered addition to campus.

Artwork of the following nature will not be considered:

• Artwork intended for display indoors or artists that submit portfolios consisting exclusively of 2D artworks intended to be displayed indoors
• No artworks incorporating water or water features/elements will be considered
• Artwork must fit the allotted installation area. Please see site plan for approximate measurements and more site details.

The project must be durable, low maintenance, permanent, safe for both children and adults and must meet all applicable code requirements, including ADA compliance.  At the selected artist’s expense, the artwork may require certification by an electrical, civil and/or structural engineer licensed to practice in the State of New Mexico and reviewed by a professional fine art conservator (if applicable).

Site Information

Located on the campus of Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, NM, the Administration Building was the first structure constructed on campus in 1934 and housed the first classrooms. Due to its iconic Neo-Gothic style, it is the campus’ most identifiable building and serves as the backdrop for numerous university events. The university is committed to commissioning an artwork that honors the history of the university and complements its architectural style.

The designated site is situated within the rectangular quad north of the Administration Building and west of the future Student Academic Services building currently under construction, anticipated to be completed in the spring of 2026. The quad serves as a location for many campus events and this public art installation will greet visitors, students and faculty as they enter campus, but also serve as a backdrop for gatherings such as graduation and homecoming. The quad itself measures just over 30,500 square feet (approx.), though the desired installation site will activate a smaller portion of that total space in the center. Exact placement is to be determined, see site layout for relative placement and approximate footprint. 

Please see the below link for site photos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WaNg2x6OsdVIdg40TYMai0gXyHjW-zok?usp=sharing 

Project Amount

$276,000 is available to commission an artist/artist team to create a public artwork for the designated area situated in the quad after finalist presentation fees. This amount includes all fees and expenses associated with the project, e.g., materials, equipment, labor, permits, engineering documents, insurance, taxes, travel, installation, shipping, identification plaque, and written and professional photographic documentation of the completed project. There is no additional funding.  THIS IS A REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS ONLY. DO NOT SUBMIT PROPOSALS FOR ARTWORK AT THIS TIME, PLEASE SEE SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS BELOW.

Selection Process and Criteria

The Local Selection Committee is made up of representatives from the owner/user agency (ENMU Portales): Owner Agency representative, User Agency Representative, Architect/Facilities Representative, Local Artist, Local Arts Professional, and Local Project Director. Under the guidance of an AIPP Project Coordinator, the Local Selection Committee is responsible for prospectus development, submission review, finalist selection and ultimately selecting the artist(s) or artist team(s) to be awarded the commission project. Artists may research the project using any resource except for direct discussion with individual members of the Local Selection Committee or the New Mexico Arts Commission.

The selection criteria shall include, but is not limited to:

• The professional qualifications of the artist(s) as evidenced by the supporting materials.
• Proven ability to undertake projects of the described scope.
• Artistic merit and superior caliber craftsmanship as evidenced by the images.
• Suitability of submission to project intent and site.

Up to five finalists will be invited to submit a formal proposal for the project. Finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium for a written proposal, presentation, and a maquette and/or digital rendering of the proposed artwork. One site visit will be required of each finalist to include an in-person presentation of the artwork proposal to the Local Selection Committee and a public presentation at the site. All maquettes, samples and written proposals will become the property of ENMU Portales unless other arrangements have been made in advance.

Additionally, each finalist/team will receive a travel stipend based on mapped mileage according to the following schedule:

$500 for travel and lodging between 50 – 300 miles one-way.
$900 for travel and lodging between 301 – 800 miles one-way.
$1,800 for travel and lodging 801 miles and over one-way.

Artists or artist teams short-listed as finalists for this project will be required to enter into a Finalist Presentation Contract with the State of New Mexico. A sample Finalist Presentation Contract is available upon request.

The artist(s) or artist team(s) that is ultimately awarded the commission project will be required to enter into a Professional Services Contract with the State of New Mexico. A sample Professional Services Contract is available upon request.

Project Timeline (subject to change):

July 29, 2025 – Project Announced
September 29, 2025 – Application Submission Deadline
October 2025 - Jurying of Submissions by LSC & Notification of 5 Finalists
February 2026 – Finalist Presentations (in-person on ENMU campus in Portales) & Finalist Selection Notification

Questions/Follow Up

Questions regarding this opportunity should be directed to Claude Smith, Public Art Program Coordinator, at 505-695-6913, email: Claude.Smith@dca.nm.gov

If you would like to have your submission materials reviewed by an AIPP staff person, please make an appointment no less than two weeks prior to the submission deadline. Technical assistance calls increase dramatically during the final two weeks of the open submission period; therefore we cannot guarantee review during the final two weeks of the competition. Submission materials will not be reviewed on the day of the deadline.

Deadline for Submission: 11:59pm, September 29, 2025

Please read the following information carefully as incomplete or late submissions will not be accepted. Any supplemental information/material beyond what is requested will not be reviewed by the Submission Review Committee. Failure to provide any of the published requirements will result in disqualification from the competition. All materials must be submitted according to the specifications outlined on CaFÉ.

• An artist statement/letter of interest written specifically to address the following: Describe your artwork/approach/style/perspective/background.
• A current chronological resume or curriculum vitae and/or helpful links to personal website/online portfolio/social media demonstrating relevant work experience, particularly public art, publicly or privately funded. Include any additional information like links to websites or social media that will assist the LSC with learning more about you and your art.
• Fifteen images and/or videos of artwork PREVIOUSLY created (portfolio) that showcases your artwork/style/perspective. Complete image citations will be required; including artwork title, medium, height, width and depth, price or value, year completed, and description. Please review and adhere to the Image and Media Preparation page on CaFÉ when formatting your images or videos. Tutorials can be downloaded using the links near the bottom of the page. By default, CaFÉ will organize the images in your submission alphabetically. If you wish to present the images to the committee in a different order you must prioritize the images before submitting an application.

This REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS is open to all artists/artist teams currently residing in the United States. Artists submitting qualifications should demonstrate a level of experience and professionalism that is commensurate with the project scope and budget.