Lead Avenue Bridge Design Competition

Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to be considered for Lead Avenue Bridge Design Competition

Location and Context

The Public Art Program invites New Mexico artists to apply to be considered as one of up to three (3) artists to create a design enhancement for the Lead Avenue Bridge. This will be a competitive design project managed by the City of Albuquerque Public Art Urban Enhancement Division and sponsored by District 2 Councilor Joaquin Baca. The Lead Avenue Bridge is a main artery of District 2. More than 11,000 commuters use the bridge daily connecting Huning Highland Historic District, Silver Hills, University Heights, and marking a welcoming entryway to Downtown.

The location for the proposed designs will be located on the corners of the Lead Avenue Bridge entry and exit, and possible stand-alone areas along the bridge’s 1,200 linear foot chain link fence. Please see the images for prospective enhancement locations.   

Project Intent and Theme

The Design Review Committee seeks up to three (3) artists working in the fields of digital, 2D or 3D arts who are capable of producing an artistic design for the Lead Avenue Bridge, its entry and exit.   

Downtown and surrounding historic neighborhoods are in the heart of Albuquerque’s culturally-rich city center.  It is a melting pot of history and diversity, nurturing civic-minded residents made up of a vibrant Hispanic-Latino population alongside a growing Millennial and multi-generational community.  It is also a major economic hub featuring art galleries, museums and a growing number of specialty businesses like coffee houses and breweries.  

Site

There are multiple sites for this design project:  

• The northwest corner of the bridge entry on Lead Avenue and Broadway Blvd SE;
• Chain link fence along the bridge areas ranging from 200’ to 255’; and
• A 7' x 25' x 14' area at the bridge exit on Second Street and Lead Avenue.

Media and Style

Any proposed artistic enhancement on the bridge itself should consider weight and proposed materials will need to be lightweight, yet exterior rated and durable, and should be easily maintained.

Project Funds

Each of the selected finalists will be paid $10,000 to create a comprehensive design that will need to include forecasted costs for engineering, fabrication, installation and annual maintenance. Please note: there is currently no funding available for engineering, fabrication or installation, and this is purely a design competition with forecasted costs included to realize the prospective vision should funding ever become available. The finalists will meet with the community to help with the visioning process and present their design concepts to the public for feedback. The Design Review Committee will select one (1) winning design and award the artist with the winning design an additional $5,000.

Application Process

This is a statewide call restricted to artists whoreside in New Mexico. Proof of residency will be required for up to three (3) finalists selected and paid. The Design Review Committee will jury and recommend selections to the full Arts Board.

Artist applicants interested in applying must submit the following items to be considered for one of the finalists:

1. A cover letter briefly discussing interest in the project. Not to exceed 500 words.
2. A current resume including statements regarding your artwork/art education and past work, etc. Not to exceed 500 words.
3. Up to 7 images of other works of art demonstrating the artist’s style and ability to fabricate and install large scale outdoor public sculpture.
4. An image key, clearly labeled with your full name and a numerical listing for each image, the title of the work, the media, dimensions, and year of completion and purchase cost of the work.

This online application process requires that all application images and materials be submitted in digital format.

Selection Process and Criteria

The Design Review Committee will score applications based on the selection criteria listed, through a fair and open competition.

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

• Artists’ familiarity with Albuquerque’s District 2 and the surrounding communities.
• The professional qualifications of the artist demonstrated by the supporting materials.
• Demonstrated artistic quality (use of media, unique vision, quality of craftsmanship)
• Ability to create a proposed design within a hypothetical fabrication/installation budget. Currently, that hypothetical fabrication/installation budget is capped at $1,000,000.

Eligibility

Legal residents of New Mexico are eligible to submit.

Deadline for Submission

The application, images and other required materials must be submitted electronically by 11:59 pm on Monday, June 22, 2026. 

Questions and Followup

Questions about the project may be directed to Robyne Robinson, Project Planner, City of Albuquerque, Public Art Urban Enhancement Division, (505) 768-3837 or email: rrobinson@cabq.gov

Artist applicants interested in applying must submit the following items to be considered for one of the finalists:

1. A cover letter briefly discussing interest in the project. Not to exceed 500 words.
2. A current resume including statements regarding your artwork/art education and past work, etc. Not to exceed 500 words.
3. Up to 7 images of other works of art demonstrating the artist’s style and ability to fabricate and install large scale outdoor public sculpture.
4. An image key, clearly labeled with your full name and a numerical listing for each image, the title of the work, the media, dimensions, and year of completion and purchase cost of the work.

Legal residents of New Mexico are eligible to submit.