The New York City Department of Transportation Art Program (NYC DOT Art) oversees the installation of public artworks on NYC DOT property throughout New York City in partnership with a diverse body of professional artists, galleries, business improvement districts and arts, community-based and other nonprofit organizations. City sidewalks, fences, triangles, medians, bridges, jersey barriers, step streets, pedestrian plazas and other unique project sites service as canvases and foundations for temporary murals, sculptures, interventions, and cultural programming. In addition, NYC DOT Art coordinates conservation and maintenance of NYC DOT’s permanent art collection and collaborates with the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) Percent for Art Program to commission permanent art as part of the Percent for Art law. 

For more information about NYC DOT Art, visit www.nyc.gov/dotart, Instagram: @nyc_DOTArt

If you have any questions about program tracks or applications we encourage you to reach out to arts@dot.nyc.gov. 



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Submit to Car-Free Earth Day Art Interventions | Call for Artists: Request for Proposals

Car-Free Earth Day Background

The New York City Department of Transportation’s (NYC DOT) mission is to provide for the safe, efficient, environmentally responsible movement of people and goods in the City of New York and to maintain and enhance the transportation infrastructure crucial to the economic vitality and quality of life of our primary customers, City residents. Car-Free Earth Day is a single day, annual car-free event held the Saturday before or after Earth Day, April 22. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Programming will be presented at signature locations across all five boroughs. Routes and event time may be subject to adjustments at any time leading up the event.

Car-Free Earth Day transforms NYC streets into active and attractive public spaces with the addition of public art, performances, workshops, and demonstrations. Environmental programming is offered by City agencies and nonprofit organizations along the routes to promote activism and education surrounding climate change, sustainability, and other relevant topics. For examples of past programming, review the PDF version of this RFP on our website: https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/cfed-rfp-2025.pdf and visit NYC DOT’s Flickr for images of past Car-Free Earth Day events, flickr.com/nycstreets.

 

Project Scope

NYC DOT invites all professional artists to submit proposals for new or existing artwork to be installed at Car-Free Earth Day sites as designated by NYC DOT as a one-day installation. The display structure and attachments must be compliant with the requirements stipulated. The majority of available sites for art installations are concrete sidewalks or asphalt street spaces. Up to two (2) artists may be selected.

Selected artists for one-day installations will be responsible for the following:

  • Installing one (1) final artwork on site of event on Saturday, April 26, 2025. The event will be held rain
  • or shine.
  • Being available to meet and coordinate with NYC DOT throughout all project phases from February through April.
  • Providing a signed and sealed technical memo prepared by a NYS licensed engineer upon proposal approval, pending project scale.
  • Removing installation after the event completion. Installations may not remain installed following the event.

Selected artists for one-day installation shall receive up to $10,000 to cover all expenses to design, fabricate, present the artwork including, but not limited to, costs associated with the following: labor, materials, fabrication, engineering, installation, equipment rental and transportation. NYC DOT Art will determine final funding based on the complexity of the project and overall proposed budget.

More information on artwork types can be found in the PDF version of this RFP on our website: https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/cfed-rfp-2025.pdf
 

Application and Deadline

Artists are invited to submit proposals by Sunday, February 9, 2025 11:59 pm EST. Artists are only eligible to receive one commission per fiscal year.

Please submit applications through our Submittable portal at nycdotart.submittable.com/submit.

By submitting an application, all selected artists agree to enter into a contract with NYC DOT in advance of the event and shall receive funding following participation at the event.

Incomplete applications or applications that do not meet the requirements will not be considered.

 

Selection Process

The NYC DOT Art Advisory Committee and project specific selection jury shall review and rank all submissions based on the following criteria below. A strong proposal will be inclusive and consider the access needs of all attendees.

Car-Free Earth Day Goals

  • Interactive: Engage Car-Free Earth Day participants mentally and potentially, physically.
  • Activate: Reimagine the routes and become a destination for event participants.
  • Event Enrichment: Enhance and draw attention to Car-Free Earth Day’s mission to promote environmental protection and education surrounding climate change, pollution, and sustainable modes of transportation.

Artistic Merit

  • Proposed artwork demonstrates art/design excellence and is appropriate for the public realm.
  • Artist’s past work demonstrates proficiency in the proposed medium including design, fabrication, and implementation.
  • Artist has exhibited in the public or private realm and participated in team and/or community-based art projects.

Site Suitability

  • Artwork is suitable for the site based on size, scale, and form.
  • Proposal considers the variety of audiences at the site.
  • Proposal considers the social, historical, architectural, geographical and/or cultural context of the site.
  • Proposal illustrates community involvement during design, fabrication, and/or installation.

Artwork Durability

  • Artwork will be made of durable materials to withstand outdoor weather conditions. The event will be held rain or shine.
  • Artwork is carefully planned ensuring sound fabrication and installation.
  • Public Safety
  • Proposal does not present any public safety hazards.


Questions

All inquiries regarding the Car-Free Earth Day Art Interventions RFP should be sent to: arts@dot.nyc.gov. Other inquiries regarding the Event and programming should be sent to: carfreenyc@dot.nyc.gov.  

NYC DOT Art