Source: Art in the Parks: UNIQLO Park Expressions Grant: How to Apply : NYC Parks 

Expressions Grant: How to Apply

Deadline: November 17, 2017
Installation: Summer 2018 (subject to change)

Now in its second year, the Art in the Parks: UNIQLO Park Expressions Grant supports the creation of artworks by New York City-based emerging artists for 10 designated parks that need more cultural programming. The UNIQLO grant program transforms these locations into art destinations through a series of rotating exhibitions, with supporting events and programs. Generously funded by UNIQLO, each grantee will receive an award of $10,000 to create their proposed artwork.

Application Requirements and Guidelines

Locations

Installations will be presented in the following parks:

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  • Bronx: Joyce Kilmer Park and Virginia Park
  • Brooklyn: Fort Greene Park and Herbert Von King Park
  • Manhattan: Seward Park and Thomas Jefferson Park
  • Queens: Flushing Meadows Corona Park and Rufus King Park
  • Staten Island: Faber Park and Tappen Park

Artists are strongly encouraged to visit the designated parks before submitting a proposal. Proposals will be judged according to artistic and creative merit, response to the surrounding community, and suitability to the site. Priority will be given to proposals that respond directly to the park and its neighborhood.

Artists may submit proposals for more than one park, but no more than one proposal per site. If an artist submits proposals for more than one park, the proposals must be site specific and cannot be identical. Artists are eligible to receive only one commission through the Art in the Parks: UNIQLO Park Expressions Grant program.

Eligibility

This award is open to New York City-based emerging artists only—artists who have specialized training in their field (not necessarily gained in an academic institution), who are at an early stage in their career, and who have created a modest independent body of work.

Please note: Artists who are enrolled in a school, college or university are not eligible for the Art in the Parks: UNIQLO Park Expressions Grant. Proposals for previously exhibited sculptures will not be accepted.

Application Procedure

Proposals must be submitted as a single PDF and include:

  • Resume with current contact information
  • One-page statement describing artist’s work in general
  • Proposed sculpture
    – detailed description of no more than two written pages
    – representative renderings or images of proposed artwork
    – list of materials, dimensions, and weight
    – installation recommendations
    – maintenance recommendations
    – proposed budget
    – list of proposed supplemental programs or events
  • Names and contact information of two references who are familiar with artist
  • Five to six images of previous work; each image should be labeled and succinctly described

All materials must be received by November 17, 2017. Proposals should be emailed to NYC Parks Art & Antiquities at artandantiquities@parks.nyc.gov with “UNIQLO Grant-(name of the park)” in the subject line.

Award Details

Award recipients will be announced in February 2018. Chosen recipients will be granted an award of $10,000 each. Artworks are installed in Summer 2018 and will be on view for up to one year.

Grant recipients will be selected through an open application process and will be chosen by a committee of art professionals from the five boroughs, as well as NYC Parks and UNIQLO USA representatives.

Grant recipients will be responsible for the installation and removal of the artwork, and cover fabrication, labor, supervision, insurance, and maintenance of the artwork throughout the exhibition. At the end of the grant term, the artist is responsible for returning the park to its original condition. NYC Parks will assist the awarded artists with logistics such as permitting and site specifications. The artists will be responsible for engineering documents if necessary.

Grantees are encouraged to procure in-kind donations or additional funding if exhibition costs exceed the grant amount. Artists should strongly consider supplemental programming to activate the artwork and park throughout the exhibition. Artists are encouraged to research partnership opportunities with community and cultural organizations.

Program Background

NYC Parks’ Art in the Parks program has consistently fostered the creation and installation of temporary public art in parks throughout the five boroughs. Since 1967, NYC Parks has collaborated with artists and arts organizations to produce over two thousand public artworks in New York City parks. For more information about our program, please visit our Arts in the Parks page.

UNIQLO offers innovative, high-quality clothing that is universal in design and comfort. Since introducing the UNIQLO brand in the United States and opening the very first global flagship store in SoHo 10 years ago, the company has embraced neighborhoods and local communities as showplaces for creativity. Partnering with NYC Parks and supporting local New York City artists is a natural extension of the company culture of contributing to local communities and celebrating artists and self expression.