Arts and Culture

NYC DOT partners with community-based, nonprofit organizations to commission site-responsive public art for NYC DOT property. Community-based partners are identified by NYC DOT that have experience planning public programs or public art, the ability to monitor and maintain the artwork, the capacity to hold liability insurance, and a direct connection to the site. NYC DOT identifies priority sites for temporary art that are in need of beautification, large enough to accommodate artwork, and accessible to a diverse audience. An open call is released annually in partnership with community partners to solicit proposals from professional artists for a list of priority sites. NYC DOT collaborates with selected artists to implement projects within one year of approval. In addition to a project fee, NYC DOT provides engineering support for sculptural installations.

NYC DOT partners with volunteer service organizations and corporate volunteer programs to paint murals onto jersey barriers located along bike lanes and sidewalks. Barrier sites range in size from 200 to 2000 feet in length. An open call is released annually to solicit design concepts from professional artists for implementation at barrier sites citywide. Selected artists are assigned sites within one of the five boroughs and must be willing to adapt conceptual designs to any location. Artists are responsible for producing stencils and overseeing mural execution with volunteer assistance. NYC DOT collaborates with selected artists to implement projects within two months of approval. In addition to a design fee, NYC DOT provides additional materials and support to realize the murals.

NYC DOT partners with artists to paint large-scale murals onto repurposed asphalt that has been transformed into pedestrianized public spaces. Curb extensions, slip lane closures, bike share stations, and temporary plazas serve as canvases for Asphalt Art. NYC DOT designates sites near schools, community centers, arts institutions or commercial corridors for Asphalt Art. Asphalt sites range in size from 1,000 to 8,000 square feet. An open call is released annually to solicit qualifications from professional artists to be selected for inclusion in an artist registry, later to be short-listed for specific Asphalt Art opportunities within one of the five boroughs. Artists receive a project fee to execute the mural. Organizations interested in commissioning self-funded asphalt art on a self-selected site should apply through Arterventions and are welcome to select an artist from the Asphalt Art Artist Registry.

NYC DOT partners with nonprofit organizations to curate rotating temporary exhibitions within a series of Art Display Cases. Twenty cases are available for installation in sets of four to ten within plazas or on sidewalks citywide. Original artwork is reproduced as vinyl adhesive art panels. Each case can accommodate two art panels measuring a maximum of 43.5 inches (w) by 61.5 inches (h). NYC DOT invites interested organizations to submit proposals on a rolling basis to curate thematic exhibitions related to a current or upcoming exhibit, festival or historic, commemorative event. Organizations are responsible for proposing sites for the exhibits. Sidewalks must be a minimum of 20 feet in width. NYC DOT prints and installs the vinyl panels, and relocates, installs and removes the cases. Artists are ineligible to apply without the support of a partner organization. Given the high demand of the cases, organizations are selected as cases become available or placed on a waiting list for future partnerships.

NYC DOT partners with the New York City Department of Design and Construction and NYC Department of Cultural Affairs to commission artwork to be digitally transferred onto vinyl mesh banners to beautify fencing surrounding active capital construction sites. Artists receive a design fee to develop a final design and prepare necessary files to print the banners. NYC DOT prints and installs the banners with support from the designated site contractor. Open calls to select designs are issued periodically. Private property is ineligible through this program and such proposals must be reviewed by the Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the Department of Buildings.

NYC DOT partners with galleries and nonprofit organizations to provide the necessary permits to commission artwork or relocate existing artwork currently on exhibit in a gallery, alternative art space or in a storage facility to NYC DOT owned property. Organizations are responsible for fully funding the installation and proposing a suitable site. Artwork usually remains on display for three to six months. For many plaza sites, the maximum display period is one month given other events and activities organized by local maintenance partners. NYC DOT issues a list of eligible site types annually to provide direction to interested organizations and artists. Organizations are also encouraged to review the Site Selection Guide before proposing potential sites, and may contact NYC DOT at arts@dot.nyc.gov to confirm site ownership in advance of submission. Artists are ineligible to apply without the support of a partner organization. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Summer Streets is an annual celebration of New York City's most valuable public space – our streets. On select Saturdays in the summer, miles of NYC’s streets are opened for people to play, walk, and bike. Summer Streets provides space for healthy recreation and encourages New Yorkers to use more sustainable forms of transportation. Programming is presented at select Summer Street locations to promote fitness and outdoor recreation.

Open Streets: Car-Free Earth Day is an annual car-free event hosted by NYC DOT. The event is hosted on a Saturday before or after Earth Day. Programming is presented at signature locations citywide, to promote activism and education surrounding climate change, sustainability, and other relevant topics.

NYC DOT commissions interactive public art installations at designated sites along the event route. Artwork must be removed post event hours. Artists are eligible to receive up to $20,000.

NYC DOT commissions lively performances at designated stages or other sites along the event route. Performers are eligible to receive a minimum of $200 and up to $2,500 based on the duration and number of performances provided. Performances must last a minimum of 30 minutes.

NYC DOT partners with nonprofit organizations to host activities, demonstrations, workshops, classes and historical tours along the event route. Organizations are eligible to receive funding based on the complexity of the proposed activities and the number of committed event dates. NYC DOT provides event equipment and support from event staff.

NYC DOT partners with corporate entities to host experiential marketing activations along the event route, which are subject to sponsorship fees. For additional information, email sponsorship@dot.nyc.gov.

NYC DOT collaborates with the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) to commission permanent public art as part of capital construction projects dictated by the Percent for Art ordinance. NYC DOT is also responsible for managing and maintaining its Permanent Art Collection (pdf). For more information, visit DCLA Percent for Art Program’s website.