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3rd and Central Mural

Call for Artists for a mural at 3rd St and Central that incorporates elements of Route 66, Albuquerque's diverse culture, and the Southwest.

3rd and Central Mural Project

Call for Artists - Request for Proposals

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Deadline for Submission: Thursday, October 10, 2024 at 3:59pm

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LOCATION/CONTEXT: The City of Albuquerque Public Art Urban Enhancement Division and the Department of Municipal Development wish to commission a Mural to be place directly on the street at 3rd and Central Avenue, in District 2, Downtown Albuquerque.  Open competition Request for Proposals (RFP).

PROJECT INTENT/THEME: 2026 marks the One Hundredth anniversary of Rt. 66, also known as the Mother Road.  The City of Albuquerque is home to the longest stretch of Rt. 66 that goes through the heart of Albuquerque.  The City of Albuquerque Art Selection Committee and the Department of Municipal Development is interested in working with an artist or artist design team to create a mural that incorporates elements of Rt. 66, Albuquerque’s diverse culture and the Southwest.  The mural will be painted directly on the street at the corner of 3rd St. and Central Avenue.

Proposals for works of art that include subject matter such as the apparent representation of violence, inappropriate nudity, denigration of individuals or cultures, or desecration of significant cultural symbols, will be reviewed for their appropriateness for public display.  Proposals for, works of art that include religious subject matter or symbols may be replaced in a public space as long as it is not in a location where it can be revered and is solely for the purpose of exhibiting cultural or historical traditions.

SITE:  The site for the project is located on the corner of 3rd and Central Avenue in downtown Albuquerque, District 2.  The area that has been identified for the mural is approximately 32 x 5 ft for a total square footage of 160 sq. ft. The mural will be painted directly on the asphalt.  Measurements do not include the concrete curb.  Department of Municipal Development will provide barricades and any permits related to the site for the site. 

View site images.

PROJECT FUNDS: Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00) is available to Commission an original design for the mural to be located on the street at 3rd and Central Avenue.  Budget calculated on Twenty-Five Dollars ($25.00) per square foot (materials included in budget.) 

ELIGIBILITY: This is an open competition. Legal residents of New Mexico, 18 years of age, are eligible to submit. Proof of New Mexico Tax Identification may be required.

MEDIA/STYLE/MATERIALS: The mural should be painted using a specialty outdoor paint designed to be painted directly to the road surface.  (recommend Sherwin Williams H & C “Color Top” Water-based solid color concrete stain/paint)

For most projects, local government entities will also require the selected paint to be mixed with a non-slip additive such as Shark Grip® to avoid surfaces from becoming slippery once the installation is in place.

Below is a list of common products used for asphalt art projects that range from very temporary to more permanent:

  • Tempera paint
  • Water-based field-marking paint
  • Latex or acrylic household paint
  • Acrylic traffic marking paint  (Roadzilla® MMa, Rustoleum®) 
  • Epoxy-based pavement coating 

To ensure the paint’s durability or to extend its life,  you may also consider the following methods:

  • Power wash and clean the site from any debris the day before or a few hours before the installation begins.
  • Apply a primer coat prior to the artwork installation.
  • Apply a sealant once the artwork has cured.
  • If using light colors, consider applying a white base coat.
  • Freshly paved areas will absorb more paint.
  • Make sure to account for extra layers of paint if painting over a recently paved surface.

APPLICATION/SELECTION PROCESS: The Selection Committee will jury the applications and recommend artist to the full Arts Board.

Artists must submit the following items for the project through the application webpage (https://coacommunityevents.wufoo.com/forms/3rd-and-central-mural-project-rfp/):

  • A statement or description of the artist mural concept. Not to exceed 500 words
  • Initial design sketch.
  • A current CV/brief resume including statements regarding your artwork/art education and past work., etc. Not to exceed 500 words.
  • Up to Five (5) artwork examples that include at least one completed outdoor mural, demonstrating the artist’s style and ability to complete an outdoor mural, complete with artwork descriptions including dimensions, and year of completion.

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

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: October 10, 2024, 3:59 pm - Submissions must be posted on Wufoo

QUESTIONS/FOLLOW UP: Questions about the project may be directed to Matt Carter at the Albuquerque Public Art Urban Enhancement Division, (505) 768-3804 or email: [email protected]