Mural Artist Request for Qualifications

All interested artists are eligible to submit past work examples in response to this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the opportunity to be selected to develop and install temporary murals on NYC DOT property. Artwork will remain installed for a minimum of one month and a maximum of 11 months. Projects commissioned through this RFQ will be site-specific and installed on NYC DOT property as selected by NYC DOT Art. Projects will be funded and managed by NYC DOT Art. 

Mural sites may include Asphalt Art Activations, Barrier Beautification, or Special Projects including wall murals and other site types.

Asphalt Art Activations:

As part of NYC DOT’s efforts to make our streets more pedestrian friendly, the agency reclaims underutilized street space for pedestrian use. NYC DOT Art commissions temporary art treatments that will be painted onto pedestrianized asphalt spaces, transforming them from ordinary asphalt spaces into canvases for public art. Spaces range on average from 1,000 to 10,000 square feet, but may exceed this range, and could include curb extensions, slip lane closures, public plazas, or other pedestrianized roadways.

Barrier Beautification:

NYC DOT Art commissions temporary murals along concrete jersey barriers to enhance the safety treatments that add protection to bike lanes and pedestrian walkways throughout New York City. The overall length of each barrier site will vary based on the barriers’ operational function. The dimensions of each individual barrier segment are approximately 20 feet in length by 3 feet in height. Most barrier sites will be between 200 and 800 running feet.

Special Projects: Wall Murals and Other Site Types:

All NYC DOT Art projects are installed on eligible NYC DOT infrastructure, which is most often asphalt space or concrete barriers. In some cases, NYC DOT may commission artists to paint priority spaces on other surfaces including concrete bridge walls, step streets, fences, or other vertical spaces. Please note that these spaces are much more limited.

Application and Deadline

Interested artists are invited to submit a single application by Sunday, February 8, 2026, 11:59pm EST through our Submittable portal at nycdotart.submittable.com/submit. Incomplete applications or applications that do not meet the requirements will not be considered.

Selection Process

The NYC DOT Art Advisory Committee and a project specific selection jury shall review and identify artists to be included in an artist registry based on the following criteria:

• Past artwork demonstrates proficiency in design and ability to translate the design into a final mural; 
• Previous experience demonstrates ability to collaborate with a large agency on a public project; and
• Previous experience demonstrates ability to collaborate with community groups and the public to incorporate community feedback into final design.
• Artist resides in the United States. Local artists living in New York City and the Tristate Area will receive priority. International artists are not eligible.

When a project site becomes available, NYC DOT Art shall review the artist registry and invite up to five of the shortlisted artists to participate in a phone interview to discuss the potential project site, and to better acquaint the agency with the artist’s past work and artistic process. This group of artists may also be required to develop a conceptual design proposal for review. Final selection shall be based on the written responses to the RFQ application, the phone interview, and, if applicable, the conceptual design proposal.

Upon selection, each artist shall develop a final site-responsive design for implementation at a designated project site within a minimum of one month of notification. As additional project sites become available throughout the year, NYC DOT Art will review the artist registry and contact shortlisted artists to respond to these opportunities. Artists may be considered for multiple projects but may only be commissioned once per fiscal year. 

Project Scope

Selected artists for mural projects will be responsible for the following: 

• Complete one conceptual design and, once approved, complete one final design for a site designated by NYC DOT Art for review and approval;
• Develop an implementation plan and material list to be reviewed by NYC DOT Art;
• Paint the design onto the mural site with support from a group of the artist’s own assistants and/or volunteers; and
• Selected artists may be asked to participate in public engagement initiatives.

For more information on project scopes and examples of past projects for each project type review the PDF version of our RFQ on our website.

Project Fees

NYC DOT Art may provide selected artists with up to $20,000 towards direct project costs dependent on project scope, including but not limited to all labor, paint, materials, and equipment. All selected artists are entitled to an artist fee not to exceed 20% of the total budget but may also be entitled to a labor fee. NYC DOT Art will provide the necessary permits to install on City-owned property. Funds may not be used to cover travel nor accommodations. 

All artists will be required to enter into a legal agreement with NYC DOT, and in order to receive payment, will be required to submit a W9 form, Doing Business Form, quote form, and invoices. Payments are made based on deliverables. The legal agreement must be signed in advance of receiving any payments. As per the agreement, the artist receives credit, sole ownership, and copyright of the final design and artwork, but is required to extend to the City the right to a royalty-free, perpetual license to use any depiction of the artwork for non-commercial purposes.

About the NYC DOT Art

The New York City Department of Transportation art program, NYC DOT Art, partners with community-based, nonprofit organizations and professional artists to present temporary public art on NYC DOT property throughout the five boroughs for up to eleven months. Artists transform streets with colorful murals, dynamic projections and eye-catching sculptures. Sidewalks, fences, triangles, medians, bridges, jersey barriers, step streets, public plazas and pedestrianized spaces serve as canvases and foundations for temporary art. Since 2008, NYC DOT Art has produced over 530 temporary artworks citywide. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dotart and @nyc_DOTArt on Instagram.

Questions

All questions may be emailed to arts@dot.nyc.gov.

Signature Events Art Installations Request for Proposals 2026

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. NYC DOT hosts several large-scale, annual car-free events to reimagine the streets of New York City as more inviting public spaces for walking, cycling, playing, and much more—without the noise and congestion of cars. These events temporarily transform major streets and corridors into active public spaces, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation, cultural programming, and public engagement.

NYC DOT Art invites all professional artists to submit proposals for artwork to be installed during Car-Free Earth Day and or Summer Streets at sites designated by NYC DOT as a one-day installation. Please carefully read the different requirements and expectations for the range of events. Car-Free Earth Day installations would be displayed on a singular date and location; however, Summer Streets installations could be on display on two to five different dates and locations, including two locations on the same date.

• The display structure and attachments must be compliant with the requirements stipulated; the majority of sites available for art installations are concrete sidewalks or asphalt street spaces.
• Up to two artists may be selected per event.
• NYC DOT Art will determine final funding based on the complexity of the project and overall proposed budget. 
• We encourage proposals that include programming to complement the installation; giveaways are also welcome but not necessary.
• Artists may submit existing artwork.

Application and Deadline

Artists are invited to submit proposals by February 8, 2026 by 11:59pm EST. Please submit applications here on our Submittable portal at nycdotart.submittable.com.

On your application please select which event you would like to be considered for. You may select multiple. However, artists are only eligible to receive one commission per fiscal year. Incomplete applications or applications that do not meet the requirements will not be considered.

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.

Car-Free Earth Day

Background

Car-Free Earth Day is a single day, annual car-free event held the Saturday before or after Earth Day, April 22. Programming is presented at signature locations across all five boroughs. 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.

Project Scope

Selected artist(s) for Car Free Earth-Day will create a one-day installation and may 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.

Selected artists shall be responsible for the following:

• Installing one (1) final artwork on site of Car-Free Earth Day.
• Being available to meet and coordinate with NYC DOT throughout all project phases.
• Being available the day of Car-Free Earth Day to monitor artwork and engage with the public through programming.
• Removing installation after Car-Free Earth Day completion; installations may not remain installed following the event.

Summer Streets

Background

Summer Streets is an annual celebration of New York City’s most valuable public space – our streets. 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. Exact dates and times for 2025 will be announced at a later date.

Summer Streets takes place on five Saturdays from the morning to the afternoon: Three Saturdays in Manhattan, one on Staten Island and Queens, and one in Brooklyn and the Bronx. Miles of NYC’s streets are open in both directions for people to play, walk, and bike along while taking a break at the route rest stops to enjoy free activities. Summer Streets provides space for healthy recreation and encourages New Yorkers to use more sustainable forms of transportation.

Project Scope

Selected artist(s) for Summer Streets will create installations to be displayed on at least two dates. Installations could be on display on two to five different dates and could include being installed at two locations on the same day.

Selected artist(s) may receive:

• Up to $20,000 to cover all expenses for projects on display in Manhattan; one site for three Saturdays
• Up to $20,000 to cover all expenses for projects to be displayed in the outer boroughs; two different boroughs per event date for two Saturdays
• Up to $50,000 for large-scale installations with potential to be displayed at all seven location across all five Saturdays

Installation budgets must cover all expenses to design, fabricate, and present the artwork, including costs associated with the following: artist fee (up to 20% of budget), labor, materials, fabrication, engineering, installation, equipment rental, storage, and transportation.

Selected artists shall be responsible for the following:

• Installing one (1) or more final artwork(s) on site of Summer Streets.
• Being available to meet and coordinate with NYC DOT throughout all project phases.
• Being available day of the event to monitor artwork and engage with the public through programming. Depending on installation scope, this will be at least two event dates and as many as all seven locations across all five weekends.
• Removing installation after Summer Streets completion; installations may not remain installed following the event.

More information on artwork types can be found in Appendix A: Artwork Types and Examples on the Signature Events Art Installations RFQ 2026 (pdf). NYC DOT Art will determine final funding based on the complexity of the project and overall proposed budget.

Review examples of past programming in Appendix B: Past Car-Free Earth Day Events on the Signature Events Art Installations RFQ 2026 (pdf). Visit the Car-Free Earth Day webpage (nyc.gov/carfreenyc) or Summer Streets webpage (nyc.gov/summerstreets) for event information and visit NYC DOT’s Flickr for images of past events flickr.com/nycstreets.

Selection Process

The NYC DOT Art Advisory Committee and project specific selection jury shall review and rank all submissions based on the following criteria:

Event Goals

• Interactive: Engage event participants mentally and potentially, physically.
• Activate: Reimagine the event routes and become a destination for event participants.
• Event Enrichment: Draw attention to Car-Free Earth Day’s mission to promote environmental protection and education surrounding climate change, pollution, and sustainable modes of transportation and/or underscore Summer Street’s mission to celebrate New York City’s streets.

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.
• Previous experience demonstrates connection to event’s goals.
• Previous experience demonstrates ability to collaborate on a team-based project.

Site Suitability

• Artwork is suitable for the public realm based on size, scale, and form.
• Proposal considers the variety of audiences at the event.
• Artwork is moveable and/or can be easily installed and removed each event date.

Artwork Durability

• Artwork will be made of durable materials to withstand outdoor weather conditions; events will be held rain or shine.
• Artwork is carefully planned, ensuring sound fabrication and installation.

Public Safety

• Artwork does not introduce any safety hazards for pedestrians and cyclists at events or along event route(s).

A strong proposal considers the access needs of people with disabilities.

About NYC DOT Art

New York City Department of Transportation Art Program, NYC DOT Art, partners with community-based, nonprofit organizations and professional artists to present temporary public art on NYC DOT property throughout the five boroughs for up to eleven months. Artists transform streets with colorful murals, dynamic projections and eye-catching sculptures. Sidewalks, fences, triangles, medians, bridges, jersey barriers, step streets, public plazas and pedestrianized spaces serve as canvases and foundations for temporary art. Since 2008, NYC DOT Art has produced over 530 temporary artworks citywide. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dotart and @nyc_DOTArt on Instagram.

Questions

All inquiries regarding the Signature Events Art Interventions Request for Proposals should be sent to: arts@dot.nyc.gov. Other inquiries regarding the Event and programming should be sent to: carfreenyc@dot.nyc.gov or summerstreets@dot.nyc.gov.