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International District Choice Neigborhood

Call for Artists: Artwork at Public Housing Sites

Updated: 6 days ago

Art is a way to express creativity, represent culture, and celebrate community, and this project aims to create inviting and vibrant artwork that represents the aspirations of residents as part of the Choice Neighborhood Transformation Plan that embraces the rich culture within the International District community. 



The Choice Neighborhood Planning Team is looking for one (1) individual or group of creatives to take the role of lead creators of artwork that will be completed by September 15, 2025. The selected individual or group will be responsible for creation of artwork that must be delivered digitally to produce outdoor panels. AHA will be responsible for the fabrication and installation of the panels. 


Local artists and creatives in Albuquerque are invited to submit qualifications to create a total of 15 original artwork panels at three (3) public housing sites located in the International District:

  • Wainwright Manor 

  • Grove Apartments

  • Pennsylvania Apartments


The funding for this project is made possible by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant. 


Artwork (15 original pieces) will be delivered digitally. The Albuquerque Housing Authority (AHA) will be responsible for the fabrication and installation of the artwork. 


More information about the International District Choice Neighborhood Plan can be found at:


Proposals will be considered for all three (3) housing sites (total of 15 original artwork pieces).


Submission Guidelines & Requirements

  • Must reside in Albuquerque

  • Preference will be given to proposals from creatives/artists from the International District 

  • Artists are responsible for the entire creation of artwork

  • Preference for experience with artwork creation through arts engagement


A few considerations for the artwork:

  • Artwork panels will be installed outdoors on vertical surfaces (walls or fences)

  • Artwork panels should consist of 5 original pieces to fit a 4’x4’ panel

  • Artwork panels can be created using any media or technique, but ultimately shall be documented digitally to be reproduced (printed) on a panel surface.

  • Artwork should be designed to be printed on a 4’x4’ surface

  • Artwork should be informed by residents input/feedback and selected creatives/artists must:

    • Review planning input and feedback (August 2024-June 2025) published in the project website’s resource library

    • Organize, host and facilitate at least one (1) engagement activity per site (total 3 engagement events) with residents for artwork creation (AHA will support with coordination)

  • Artwork should be completed and delivered to AHA by September 15th, 2025.

  • Artwork deliverable will be a high resolution digital file: jpg, tiff, pdf (optimized to be printed 4’x4’) 


To be considered, applicants must include the following as part of their submittal:


  • Artist statement - include biography, website, and/or social media 

  • Small portfolio (2-5 images) of artwork (similar in type). Please ensure items are properly annotated (i.e. year, location, technique)

  • Brief description of arts engagement approach - include description of engagement methods for the required engagement activities  


Compensation 

Honorarium for selected proposals will be $7500 for all three (3) housing sites. This compensation includes: 

  • 1 engagement event per site (total 3 engagement events)

  • 5 original artwork pieces (to be delivered digitally) per site (15 total)


Process and Timeline


The selection process will be coordinated by AHA, and will engage staff, public housing residents, and members of the Choice Neighborhood Steering Committee.


  • June-July 2025: Call for proposal & Info Session Wednesday, July 16 at 2pm MT.

  • July-August: Proposals selection & contracting

  • August: Arts engagement (resident activities) and artwork creation

  • August 12: ID Choice Neighborhood Community Meeting #6 

  • September 15: Deliver final artwork

To submit your proposal, please email one pdf file to abqchoice@abqha.org by Monday, July 28, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. MT.


Info session: Wednesday, July 16, 2 p.m. MT


Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:


  • Community Engagement & Alignment with Resident InputDemonstrated ability to incorporate community voices, particularly from the International District. Proposal elements for arts engagement activities should outline clearly the activity methods to reflect awareness of resident feedback published on abqchoice.com and express a clear connection to community themes.

  • Artistic Experience & RelevanceProven experience in creating public or community-based artwork, especially through participatory or engagement-driven processes. Preference will be given to artists/creatives with relevant portfolios and demonstrated capacity to deliver original digital artwork suitable for outdoor installation.

  • Connection to PlacePreference for artists residing in the International District with a commitment to culturally responsive, place-based storytelling through visual art.

  • Feasibility & Professional CapacityClear timeline, ability to meet all deliverables (including 15 digital artworks by September 1), and readiness to collaborate with AHA and project stakeholders under the project’s outlined conditions—including documentation and other engagement events.


Terms, Conditions and Reservations of Rights


The agreement is governed by federal and local laws applicable to HUD-funded programs.


Scope of Work

Artist agrees to:

  • Conduct three (3) community engagement activities (1 per housing site)

  • Create and deliver fifteen (15) original digital artwork files (5 per site), formatted at 4’x4’, in high-resolution (JPG, TIFF, or PDF)

  • Deliver all final artwork by September 15, 2025

Compensation

AHA shall pay the artist a total of $7,500 upon satisfactory completion of the scope, with partial payments allowed based on milestones.

Ownership and Rights. Artist grants AHA and HUD a non-exclusive, irrevocable, royalty-free license to reproduce, distribute, and display the artwork for non-commercial and public uses.

AHA may document the artist’s engagement process and finished work in video, photography, and written reports.

Debarment and Suspension. Artist certifies that they are not presently debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from participation in federally funded programs.

Conflict of Interest. Artist affirms that no employee, officer, or agent of AHA has any financial or other interest in this contract.

Access to Records. Artist agrees that HUD, AHA, and their agents may access project-related documents for audit or compliance purposes.

Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity. Artist shall not discriminate against any person based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, or other protected class.

No Maintenance Obligation. Artist understands that the artwork will be installed in an outdoor, unmaintained setting and may be subject to natural wear, graffiti, or removal.


About the Housing Sites


These three (3) housing site are the focus of the International District Transformation Plan. You can learn more about them in the Draft Plan (Housing Element section).

Currently, the spaces considered for the artwork are outfacing vertical surfaces (such as fences or low walls) in different locations within the housing site. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the sites while being respectful of their residents.


For example, currently the housing sites have displays installed (24"x36" or 2'x3') with content about the Choice Neighborhood Transformation Plan. These displays can give you a sense of how the artwork panels would be installed and how they could interact visually with the specific conditions of each housing site.



 
 
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