LES History Tribute Fence Proposals Due

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Natalie Raben
Lower East Side BID
(212) 226-9010
nraben@lowereastsideny.com

Lower East Side History Tribute Fence Now Accepting Proposals
Open Call for Artists: The Chance to Have Your Work Seen by Over 230,000 People Everyday

March 21, 2013 (Lower East Side, New York) – Artists will have the opportunity to have their art seen by over 230,000 people per day as a result of a newly released project proposal on ArtHERE.org from the Lower East Side Business Improvement District (LES BID). The LES BID is requesting design ideas for a creative way to incorporate public art into the fences that border the Southern end of the brand newly opened Delancey Street public plazas, located at the mouth of the Williamsburg Bridge. These two sets of fences will become a proverbial ‘canvas’ for the winning proposal, and artists are requested to include ideas for a tribute to the rich history of the Lower East Side in their proposals. The winning proposal will receive a $5,000 stipend to complete the project. See the full project description HERE.

“This is an unparalleled opportunity of exposure for artists,” according to Bob Zuckerman, Executive Director for the LES BID. “The dynamic Lower East Side is constantly changing and right now is an especially exciting time to be a major part of that change,” he continued.

The deadline for submission is Wednesday, May 1st and proposals should include elements that pay homage to the creative institutions (i.e. Tenement Museum, Eldridge Street Museum, LESJC etc.) that contribute to the rich vibrancy of the Lower East Side. There are no stipulations regarding who can apply (gallerists and students included).

The Delancey Street public plazas were designed and installed less than one year ago by the Department of Transportation and the LES BID currently holds a 5-year maintenance agreement for these plazas. In addition to creating this open call for artists, the LES BID continues to work on ideas for programming these plazas with additional creative elements as the summer months draw closer.

Community stakeholders and arts professionals have been asked to sit on the panel of judges. The full panel is still being assembled and currently consists of:
Dan Barasch of The Lowline, Co-Founder
Jan Hanvik of Clemente Soto Velez Cultural and Educational Center, Executive Director
Lesley Heller of Lesley Heller Workspace, Owner
Natalie Raben of LES BID, Marketing and Communications Manager

The winning proposal will be selected early summer 2013, with the installation soon to follow.

About the Lower East Side Business Improvement District (LES BID)
Established in 1992, the Lower East Side Business Improvement District (www.LowerEastSideNY.com) is a non-profit economic development organization created to revitalize the Orchard Street Shopping District while preserving its unique and diverse character. Today, the LES BID is a community of over 500 merchants and property owners managed by a Board of Directors and consisting of local merchants, property owners, residents and elected officials. The LES BID promotes the local businesses, develops events, and provides community beautification services.

About ArtHere:
ArtHERE is a platform for crowdsourced revitalization through the matching of spaces and art. ArtHERE launched in partnership with ZERO1’s 2012 biennial, Seeking Silicon Valley, in San Jose, California and has recently expanded to New York City. For more information, go to arthere.org or email hello@arthere.org.