Press Releases
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 29, 2023
Contact: (212) 839-4850, press@dot.nyc.gov
NYC DOT Celebrates New and Upcoming Public Art Projects Across the City and Encourages Submissions for Community Commissioned Artworks
The agency invites interested community-based organizations to collaborate on commissioning temporary public art for display.
New York — New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today celebrated new and upcoming public art projects as part of the agency's DOT Art Program and spotlighted recently completed public art projects beautifying communities across the city. These artworks are facilitated through the agency's Asphalt Art Activations, Art Display Case Exhibits and Arterventions initiatives.
In addition to the new and upcoming projects, NYC DOT also encourages community organizations to respond to a recent Request for Proposals (RFP) that invites organizations to identify sites in their neighborhood for temporary artwork. Community Commissions is a signature DOT Art initiative in which the agency collaborates with community-based organizations to commission artists to design and install temporary site-responsive public art on NYC DOT infrastructure citywide. Up to $20,000 may be provided to selected organizations for production of artwork and other project related costs. The RFP is open through August 1st, 2023.
"Public art inspires New Yorkers and beautifies our streetscape, and there's no better way to welcome summer than spending time in our vibrant public spaces," said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. "We encourage all community-based organizations to apply for this unique funding opportunity and commission local artwork in their neighborhood."
Upcoming Projects
Fleet Place Asphalt Mural
Zara Stasi's asphalt mural will be located within a newly installed pedestrianized area on Fleet Place and Willoughby Street in Brooklyn, with an asphalt mural design that celebrates the Black Huckleberry plant species, native to the New York metropolitan area. Stasi was selected through DOT Art's Asphalt Art Activations 2023 request for qualifications (RFQ) to fabricate the mural this summer in coordination with implementation of NYC DOT Pedestrian Unit's new Street Improvement Project on Fleet Place.
Reclaiming the Shakespeare Stairs
DOT Art will work in partnership with artist Karen "KayLove" Pedrosa and CITYarts, Inc. to paint a mural at the Shakespeare Avenue and Anderson Avenue Step Street in the Bronx this summer. Pedrosa will work with the Bronx community and youth enrolled in the Summer Youth Employment Program to install the mural.
Beverley Road Asphalt Mural
NYC DOT will select a Brooklyn-based artist through DOT Art's Asphalt Art Activations 2023 request for qualifications (RFQ) to develop a dynamic design to enliven the pedestrian plaza on Beverly Road between Church Avenue and East 2nd Street in Kensington, Brooklyn. The site was identified as a candidate for asphalt art in partnership with NYC DOT's Public Space Unit.
34th Avenue Asphalt Mural
DOT Art will work in partnership with the 34th Avenue Open Street Coalition, a Queens-based artist, and NYC DOT Public Space Unit to develop a site-responsive design in Jackson Heights, Queens.
Williams Avenue Asphalt Mural
DOT Art will partner with a Brooklyn-based artist through the Asphalt Art Activations RFQ to realize a painted mural within the sidewalk extension in East New York, Brooklyn. Located on Williams Avenue between Stanley Avenue and Glenwood Road adjacent to P.S. 325 The Fresh Creek School, this site was identified as part of a NYC DOT School Safety Unit Street Improvement Project.
Recently Completed Projects
View of asphalt mural on Westchester Avenue in the Bronx. Photo credit: NYC DOT.
Westchester Avenue Asphalt Mural
Bronx-based artist Nathan Randall Green was selected through DOT Art's Asphalt Art Activations 2023 request for qualifications (RFQ) to develop an engaging design for the pedestrianized spaces at the Westchester Avenue Street Improvement Project in the Bronx. Titled Our Star: Shoegaze BX, the artwork features a geometric abstraction of stars, sunsets, sunrises and alternating horizons. The sites were identified as a candidate for asphalt art in partnership with NYC DOT Research Implementation and Safety (RIS).
View of Kaleidoscope asphalt mural at 31st Avenue in Queens. Photo credit: NYC DOT.
31st Avenue Open Street Bike Corral
DOT Art partnered with the 31st Avenue Open Streets Coalition to realize Talisa Almonte's asphalt mural within the 31st Avenue Open Street Bike Corral in June 2023. Titled, Kaleidoscope, the mural is located on 31st Avenue and 34th Street in Queens.
View of Gathering Currents sculpture on display at Ruth E Wittenberg Triangle in Manhattan. Photo Credit: NYC DOT.
Gathering Currents
Through the Arterventions initiative, DOT Art partnered with Second Avenue Arts, the Village Alliance, and artist Daniel Roberts to bring a sculptural work to Ruth E Wittenberg Triangle in Manhattan. The artwork is on display through January 2024.
View of Reframing Neglect photography series on display at Water Street and Gouverneur Lane in Manhattan. Photo credit: NYC DOT
The END Fund
"Reframing Neglect" is a new photography series presented in partnership with the END Fund curated by contemporary artist and activist Aïda Muluneh. The exhibit highlights the weight of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) on individuals and communities, using photography to draw attention and advocacy to the pursuit of ending NTDs. The series exhibits work by photographers from seven African countries and is now on display at the DOT Art Display Case Exhibit on Water Street and Gouverneur Lane in Manhattan.
Community Commissions: Partner Organizations RFP
DOT Art is seeking interested community-based organizations, nonprofits, galleries, and business improvement districts to collaborate on commissioning temporary public art for display for up to 11 months at designated sites within their communities. Partner organizations are invited to identify sites for artwork in their district for inclusion in the Community Commissions Request for Proposals, which invites individual artists to propose site-responsive artwork. Selected partner organizations act as the community partner throughout the implementation process in partnership with DOT Art and the selected artist.
Partner organizations are responsible for participating throughout all phases of project development including artist selection, design evolution, community engagement and outreach, fabrication, installation, maintenance, and other project related tasks. DOT Art provides up to $20,000 towards direct project costs for sculptural work or two-dimensional work (murals, textile installations, etc.) For more information about the Community Commissions program, visit: nyc.gov/dotart. Application can be downloaded here: https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/dotart-community-commissions.pdf
"Public art beautifies neighborhoods and amplifies the vibrancy of diverse communities across Brooklyn and NYC," said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. "I look forward to the joy and sense of pride that new murals in East New York, Kensington, and Downtown Brooklyn will bring to residents. Thank you to DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez for his leadership in bringing public works of art to NYC's streets."
"This is exciting news from the Department of Transportation," said Bronx Borough President Gibson. "Through this initiative local artists and youth get to have a say in the look and design of their neighborhoods while helping to beautify our communities. I want to thank the Department of Transportation for their work on this project and commitment to supporting local art in our city."
"Public art brings culture and community to the streets of New York City," said Jackson Chabot, Director of Advocacy and Organizing at Open Plans. "We love the way this DOT program beautifies our infrastructure while lifting up local artists and democratizing art itself. Programs like this turn our streets into enriching spaces where life happens."
Tsipi Ben-Haim, Founder, Executive and Creative Director, CITYarts said: "Bronx youth are enthusiastic to make their neighborhood a brighter and more welcoming environment for all."
The 31st Avenue Open Streets Coalition said: "We wanted to create a mural that not only captivates the eye but also fosters connection and belonging in the neighborhood through shared public space. As such, we deeply valued the opportunity to showcase the talent within the neighborhood, and Talisa's participation exemplifies the vibrant artistic community thriving right here in western Queens," said Lola Telo, a volunteer with the Collective and a member of the art review team. "The thoughtfulness that Talisa infuses into every one of her murals makes her a true gem in the community. Her artistry has already captured the hearts of residents at our monthly markets and at other Astoria favorites like The Tiny Owl and Earth & Me. And now, through this collaboration, we were able to bring another touch of her magic to the neighborhood."
Sam Mayer, Vice President of Public Affairs at the END Fund said: "We're thrilled to showcase this important work in New York, where the culture of art and imagery is so rich. Storytelling has long been used as one of the most powerful communication tools to educate, unify, and spur action. Reframing Neglect is a wonderful example of this from a new series of storytelling partnerships that allows the END Fund and our partners to increase awareness of NTDs and the needless impact they have on millions of people across Africa and beyond. Our work with Muluneh emphasizes our priority to amplify the narratives of storytellers that are representative of the communities we work with, upholding our collective commitment to fundamental human dignity, and highlighting the impact of our programs with fuller and more authentic perspectives."
Artist Daniel Roberts said: "I'm thrilled and honored to work with Second Ave Arts, The Village Alliance and NYC DOT Art to display my sculpture "Gathering Currents" at Ruth E. Wittenberg Triangle. As "Gathering Currents" celebrates the folding tidal movement of the East River, it feels wonderful to participate in a space that feels so alive with its own knotting motion and vibrant energy."
Artist Nathan Randall Green said: "My goal with this mural, "Our Star: Shoegaze BX" was to create a dazzling kaleidoscopic pattern would be fun for pedestrians to walk on while creating a very clear delineation between street and pedestrian space. I wanted the design to be simple, easily recognizable and universally understood. The patchwork of solar symbols evoke a sense of optimism, warmth and expansiveness. For the color palette I utilized bright, warm earth tones to give plenty of attention to the pedestrian space while also relating back to the ground and Earth itself."