Prospectus #290 Southwest Artists Series Purchase Initiative

Prospectus #290 Southwest Artists Series Purchase Initiative

PLEASE READ THIS CALL IN ITS ENTIRETY BEFORE SUBMITTING 

New Mexico Arts’ Art in Public Places program announces the 2026 Southwest Artists Series Purchase Initiative. The objective of this initiative is to diversify the state's public art collection by purchasing artwork from artists in all stages of their careers. The call is open to artists who reside in and galleries that are located in the Southwest: New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas. Artists or galleries are invited to submit qualifications as well as three professional quality images of artwork completed and available for purchase. Galleries may submit qualifications on behalf of any artist represented by the gallery, regardless of the artist’s residency. Seeking artwork in the $5,000 - $50,000 price range.

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 amounting to over $21 million dollars in funds paid directly to artists. 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, local, regional, and state-wide committees work with New Mexico Arts to select artwork for their communities.
 
DIRECTIONS FOR SUBMISSION

Project Intent

The objective of the 2026 Southwest Artists Series Purchase Initiative is to diversify the state's public art collection by purchasing artwork from artists in all stages of their careers. All media in all genres, suitable for both interior or exterior display, will be considered for purchase. Artwork must be durable, permanent, low-maintenance and in compliance with ADA guidelines upon installation.
 
Eligibility
 
This purchase initiative is open to artists who reside in and galleries that are located in New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas. Galleries may submit qualifications on behalf of any artist represented by the gallery, regardless of the artist’s residency. Galleries may submit qualifications and artworks for several artists, but must create a separate account per artist submitted. Finalists may be required to submit verifiable proof of residency prior to being awarded a purchase contract. 
 
Site Information
 
Artwork will be purchased for publicly accessible buildings throughout the State of New Mexico. The facilities encompass a broad range of use including, but not limited to: amphitheaters, animal shelters, community centers, courthouses, educational institutions, fire stations, healthcare facilities, libraries, recreation complexes, rest areas, senior centers, etc. Participating sites will have a total budget equal to 1% of recent eligible capital outlay funding allocated for new construction or major renovation projects.
                                             
Artwork Price Range
 
We seek artwork in the $5,000 - $50,000 price range; final price must be all-inclusive as it pertains to each artwork.

Upon submission, the price of the artwork is considered all-inclusive of the following: materials, labor, museum quality framing under Plexiglas, security hangers, pedestal  and Plexiglas bonnet for three-dimensional artworks, delivery (travel), installation, insurance, taxes, commissions, other fees, and project plaque, as well as written and professional photographic documentation of the artwork. Please account for all of the above mentioned expenses when calculating the final price for your individual artworks.

Example: If you live in Colorado and your artwork sells to a Library in Hobbs, New Mexico, you are required to coordinate and pay for delivery and installation. Whether you install independently or through an art handler, the price of installation MUST BE included in the overall price of the artwork. 

NOTE (LARGE-SCALE EXTERIOR ARTWORKS): The price of large, exterior three-dimensional work should include site preparation and foundation (concrete pad/foundation/pedestal). Participating sites have a predetermined 1% budget, so price fluctuations will not be allowed after the submission deadline. Please remember to price the work accordingly.
 
CLICK HERE to download a PDF of the AIPP Museum Quality Framing, Installation and Project Plaque Guidelines.

Selection Process and Criteria

A Submission Review Committee of state-wide artists, arts professionals, and community leaders will score applications based on the selection criteria listed below. All New Mexico Arts public art projects are fair and open competitions; therefore not all applicants who apply will be included in the final pool of artwork shown to local selection committees for purchase consideration. Local Selection Committees are made up of representatives from the owner and/or user agencies of eligible sites. This group of individuals will be responsible for selecting the artwork to be purchased and permanently displayed in their facilities. Artwork included in the final pool is not guaranteed to sell. The final pool of available artwork will be showcased to potential buyers for two years, at which time, a new call will be made for fresh artwork.

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

• Demonstrated artist quality (use of media, unique vision, quality of craftsmanship)
• A developed and consistent style
• Perceived fit for permanent installation in a public building 

Artwork selected will reflect a wide range of cultural, ethnic, and artistic diversity.

Multiple artwork selection meetings will be held statewide during the course of this purchase initiative. Artwork submitted for consideration does not need to be removed from other sale opportunities. However, if a submitted artwork is sold through another venue, the artist or artist’s representative is required to notify New Mexico Arts immediately to ensure the work is removed from the final selection pool.
 
Artwork installed at the site must be the same piece selected for purchase by the Local Selection Committee. Substitutions and/or price fluctuations will not be allowed after the submission deadline.
 
Artists/galleries whose work is selected for purchase will be required to enter into a purchase contract with the State of New Mexico.

CLICK HERE to download a PDF of a sample purchase contract.

Payment Terms

Final payment will be made upon completion of the terms of the purchase contract and final paperwork has been submitted and processed by an Art in Public Places staff person to verify that contract requirements have been met and that a project plaque was provided.

Submission Requirements
 
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.

Please note that only one application per artist will be considered. Galleries are able to create multiple accounts for various artists they represent. 

Artist Statement - Please provide an introduction to your work, medium, and an explanation of your techniques. You may discuss your conceptual approach and inspiration; the statement should be used as a marketing tool relevant to the artwork being considered. There is a 1,000 character limit, including spaces.

Up to Three Images – Please submit images of previously completed work that is currently available for purchase. Artwork price range must be $5,000- $50,000. Complete image citations must include the title, media, dimensions, price, year of completion, description and if applicable, edition size and print/casting number. Diptychs, triptychs, and suites are eligible for purchase. 

CLICK HERE to review the Image Preparation Page on CaFÉ when formatting your images for submission. Tutorials can be downloaded using the links near the bottom of the page.
 
Project Timeline
August 1, 2026..........................................Purchase initiative opens
October 1, 2026.....................................Deadline for submissions
Late October 2026......................................Notification of finalists
November 2026 – December 31, 2028.......Notification of potential purchases on a rolling basis

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: Thursday, October 1, 2026, 11:59PM (MDT)
 
Questions? Please contact:

Claude Smith 
Public Art Program Coordinator | New Mexico Arts
Department of Cultural Affairs
phone 505-695-6913 Claude.Smith@dca.nm.gov

For questions regarding your CAFE account or for assistance with technical difficulties contact CAFE (Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm MDT)

https://www.callforentry.org/contact-us/

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.

Please note that only one application per artist will be considered. Galleries are able to create multiple accounts for various artists they represent. 

Artist Statement - Please provide an introduction to your work, medium, and an explanation of your techniques. You may discuss your conceptual approach and inspiration; the statement should be used as a marketing tool relevant to the artwork being considered. There is a 1,000 character limit, including spaces.

Up to Three Images – Please submit images of previously completed work that is currently available for purchase. Artwork price range must be $5,000- $50,000. Complete image citations must include the title, media, dimensions, price, year of completion, description and if applicable, edition size and print/casting number. Diptychs, triptychs, and suites are eligible for purchase.

The purchase initiative is open to artists who reside in and galleries that are located in New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas. Galleries may submit qualifications on behalf of any artist represented by the gallery, regardless of the artist’s residency. Galleries may submit qualifications and artworks for several artists, but must create a separate account per artist submitted. Finalists may be required to submit verifiable proof of residency prior to being awarded a purchase contract.