The City of Albuquerque is inviting artists to submit augmented-reality projects to help celebrate Route 66’s centennial in 2025 and 2026.
The city’s Department of Arts & Culture has issued a request for proposals through Jan. 31 “to identify AR projects that will immerse, educate, engage, and entertain the public and visitors in Route 66 culture and history.”
A news release from the city has more details:
Project artists will develop and execute AR experiences that incorporate cultural subjects, events, and history of Route 66 that users will be able to utilize in perpetuity. Vendors will be expected to maintain ongoing support for their proprietary technology. The scope of AR projects may include, but is not limited to:
- Creation of AR applications or experiences that offer interactive storytelling, historical information, and engaging visuals related to Route 66 in Albuquerque
- Engaging experiences that encourage visitors and residents to explore Albuquerque’s 18-mile stretch of Route 66 in Albuquerque
- Development of user-friendly interfaces for seamless AR interactions using mobile devices
- Integration of AR elements with specific landmarks, public art, historical events and people, community stories, and/or points of interest along Route 66
- Collaboration with local stakeholders, historians, and cultural experts to ensure accuracy and authenticity of content
- Implementation of a scalable and sustainable AR solution that can accommodate a large number of users during the Centennial Celebration and beyond
- Provision of technical support and maintenance post-implementation to ensure continued functionality and optimal user experience
The AR call is part of Art & Culture’s larger plan to creatively involve the public and visitors to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Route 66 via special events, street fests, history exhibits and public storytelling, historic sign rehab, an oral history video series, special art projects, and much more.
AR has provided enhanced experiences for more than ten years, with popular tools that can, for instance, conceptualize interior design or display a street view of a digital map. For experiences like the Route 66 centennial celebration, designers will utilize Marker-Based (QR codes), Location-Based (GPS), and Overlay (filtered environments)—AR simulations available on most devices.
More details on the request for proposals can be found here.
(A graphic with Route 66 signs and roadrunners crossing the street to illustrate augmented reality via the City of Albuquerque)