ArtsWestchester Awarded $145,000 Grant for Public Art on Both Sides of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge

Request for Qualifications for NY State Artists Announced for Bridge Sculpture Commissions 

 

ArtsWestchester today announced that it is the recipient of  a $145,000 grant from the New NY Bridge Community Benefit Program to commission two iconic sculptures by New York State artists for the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. The monumental artworks may incorporate remnant steel salvaged from the retired Tappan Zee Bridge and will be placed at designated sites on New York State Thruway-owned land on the Tarrytown (Westchester County) and South Nyack (Rockland County) sides of the bridge’s shared bicycle/pedestrian path next year.

Janet T. Langsam, CEO of ArtsWestchester explains, “Public art, like the bridge, is exciting, engaging and inspirational. It helps create a special sense of connection to place and infuses the extraordinary into everyday life.”  Langsam continues, “The fact that the New York State Thruway Authority has decided to incorporate original artwork into the new bridge project is sensational.”

Jamey Barbas, P.E., New NY Bridge Project Director for the New York State Thruway Authority, explains, “We are committed to improving the quality of life for local residents and communities, and the arts are central to that. This grant and the subsequent sculpture commissions will further enhance the public spaces of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge and we are delighted to be able to support such a worthwhile endeavor.”

Now through January 11, 2019, ArtsWestchester, in partnership with the New York State Thruway Authority and the Arts Council of Rockland, seeks qualifications from professional New York State artists or artist collectives interested in creating permanent site-responsive works of public sculpture for the Rockland County and Westchester County landings of the shared bicycle/pedestrian path on the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.

The request for artist qualifications is the first in a two-stage competitive process to identify artists for the sculpture commissions.  Eligible artists must reside, work or maintain a studio in New York State and have until midnight, Jan. 11, 2019 to submit their qualifications via the website: artsw.org/mariocuomobridge to ArtsWestchester.  Each artist’s sculpture commission will be in the amount of $45,000, plus monies to cover engineering costs for each sculpture.  Artists will be notified if they are invited to submit a full proposal on or around Feb. 4, 2019.

Thruway Authority Executive Director Matthew J. Driscoll says, “The public arts competition provides a unique opportunity for New York State artists, whether it’s by honoring the Hudson Valley’s natural beauty, the region’s rich heritage or the remarkable engineering of the new bridge. The Thruway Authority is delighted to make space available at the Rockland and Westchester landings of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge for the future artworks to be displayed and to showcase their creativity.”

ARTIST OPPORTUNITY DETAILS

BACKGROUND:

The New York State Thruway Authority has replaced the Tappan Zee Bridge with a new 3.1-mile state-of-the-art, twin-span bridge across the Hudson River between Rockland and Westchester counties.

The $3.98 billion Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge is one of the largest single design-build contracts for a transportation project in the United States. Located less than 20 miles north of New York City, the cable-stayed span crosses one of the widest parts of the river and is the largest bridge project in New York State history.

The bridge will feature a shared bicycle/pedestrian path, which will include six overlooks – resting points that will reflect the culture and history of the Lower Hudson Valley. The path will provide a new connection for non-motorized transport in the region and offer an exciting recreational opportunity that currently doesn’t exist in Rockland or Westchester.

THE SITES

The path has a landing plaza at each side of the bridge, one in Rockland and one in Westchester, with public gathering and parking areas. Locations at each landing have been designated for the placement of a significant work of public sculpture.

Artists selected to develop a proposal will be contacted by an ArtsWestchester program staff person with further details about the site.

HOW TO APPLY:

All submissions must be made electronically, via our online application portal, using the following link: artsw.org/mariocuomobridge.

No submissions via email or mail, or in person shall be accepted.

Artists interested in being considered for this opportunity must submit the following:

1. A current resume/CV, particularly highlighting relevant experience (required)
2. Artist statement (required)
3. Minimum of 5, up to 10 images of original completed artworks (Work Samples) (required)
4. Work Samples Checklist (required)
5. Letter of interest (required)
6. Up to 3 professional references (not required)

Artists will be asked to identify to which opportunity they are applying (Rockland or Westchester landing.) Artists may be considered for both opportunities, but must submit a distinct letter of interest for each opportunity.