Public art may be coming to a neighborhood near you, thanks to a local Queens nonprofit organization.
Queens Council on the Arts in cooperation with the Jamaica Center BID and the 82nd Street Partnership is hosting a public art commissioning program called ArtSite. Eight artists will be awarded a commission of $4,500 each to create temporary public art in spaces in Jackson Heights and Jamaica. The completed works will be displayed in several places including empty storefronts, store walls, plazas and parks.
According to the QCA website, ArtSite is looking to activate the spaces within these neighborhoods through the art work of the chosen artists. The art for these projects can can range from murals and sculptures to performances and video projections. The goal of ArtSite is to “empower local artists to engage on a local level, understanding that they can be a catalyst for change.”
Interested artists are encouraged to apply for a commission by June 20. Submissions will be reviewed by panel of judges, which includes representatives from city agencies, the QCA and local art administrator and art professionals from Queens. If chosen, artists must go through information and planning sessions as well as artist orientations. A full list of rules and guidelines can be found here.
QCA was founded in 1966 in an effort to foster and develop the arts in Queens and help artist and organizations to showcase their cultural diversity. In addition to public art programs like ArtSite, the nonprofit also supports the art community through grants, professional development resources and artist residencies.
The deadline for submissions is on Wednesday, June 20, at 11:59 p.m. Click here to apply. For more information, contact QCA’s public art coordinator, Marissa Lazar at ArtSite@queenscouncilarts.org or go to the frequently asked questions page.
