Open Call for Art on the Parkway, co-organized by the Association for Public Art (aPA) and the Parkway Council, in partnership with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR), invites artists, designers, and other creatives to propose a temporary public art installation in Maja Park on Philadelphia’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway as part of the annual summer Oval festival. Proposals are asked to explore the ways in which art can help create and define a sense of place.
While the Benjamin Franklin Parkway is one of Philadelphia’s grandest civic spaces with a rich array of art and architecture—including many sculptures commissioned and maintained by the Association for Public Art—it has not reached its full potential as a public space. This year a coalition of organizations led by the Parkway Council along with city partners at Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability are advancing a conceptual master plan for the Parkway that envisions its future as a great urban park.
This competition invites proposals that both celebrate the Parkway’s historic built environment and explore its future as a more inclusive and vibrant public space for all Philadelphians. Proposals must be durable and suitable for display in a public park open to the elements. The temporary installation will open on approximately August 1st and be on view through October 28, 2024.
Visit the site and come to an information session with aPA and the Parkway Council on April 9, 2024 from 5:30pm-6:30pm at Maja Park. For more information on the information session and to register, click here.
Award
The selected proposal recipient will receive an all-inclusive award of $15,000.
Jurors
Renee Schacht
Co-founder and Executive Director, Tiny WPA
Julie Bush
Landscape Architect, Ground Reconsidered
Joyce Chung
Curator, Asian Arts Initiative
Ginger Rudolph
Curator
Questions
For more information, read Open Call for Art on the Parkway FAQs and explore the conceptual master plan for the Parkway’s future. If your question is still not answered, email opencall@associationforpublicart.org.
Co-organized by the Association for Public Art (aPA) and the Parkway Council, in partnership with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) and AIR Communities and Park Towne Place
About Association for Public Art
The Association for Public Art (aPA) is a non-profit organization that commissions and preserves public art in Philadelphia, while advancing the pivotal role art can play in creating and enhancing public space and civic life. For more information, visit associationforpublicart.org.
About the Parkway Council
The Parkway Council, a not-for-profit organization, works to accelerate the transformation of Philadelphia’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway into a great urban park for all. For more information, visit parkwaycouncil.org.
Please review the Maja Park Site Plan before submitting your application.
ELIGIBILITY
- Applications will be accepted from individuals, collectives, or teams including artists and other creatives twenty-one years and older.
- Entrants who live or work in the Philadelphia metro area are eligible to apply.
- Students are not eligible to apply.
- While no specific professional credential is required, applicants must demonstrate their qualifications and ability to execute a public project of this scale in an outdoor environment.
BUDGET
The selected proposal recipient will receive an all-inclusive award of $15,000 to realize the proposed project. All related project expenses are to be part of this award, including but not limited to artist/design/professional fees, travel/meetings, materials and supplies, labor, equipment, fabrication, maintenance, delivery to and from the site, installation, and deinstallation. Housing and studio space are not provided as part of the project award.
PLEASE NOTE: The project award may be considered taxable income based on the recipient’s tax status. It is up to applicants to consider tax implications and consult with their tax advisors. General insurance for permitting and installation will be arranged by the aPA and Parkway Council. Fine art insurance for the artwork will not be provided.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND PROCESS
Open Call for Art on the Parkway is a competitive, two-part selection process. A jury of artists, designers, and art professionals will select three finalist proposals from entrants for further development and public comment. A single project will then be selected to be realized at Maja Park.
Selection Criteria
- Artistic Excellence–design ability and skill, integrity and originality of ideas
- Relationship of proposal to site at the appropriate scale and context
- Ability to realize projects of similar scope & technical feasibility of proposal
- Completeness of application
ROUND 1 APPLICANTS
Proposals must include the following components, and must be formatted as instructed below and submitted via Jotform no later than 11:59 p.m. EDT on May 3, 2024. The application links can be accessed here:
Apply
1. APPLICANT INFORMATION
Applicants will be asked to share their contact information and a project title. If you are applying as a team, please include the names and emails for each team member and identify one team member as the Lead Contact.
2. PROJECT PROPOSAL AND BUDGET FEASIBILITY
Applicants must submit a project proposal of up to 300 words that clearly describes the project, materials, and approximate dimensions. The proposal should also explain how the work explores a sense of place, and its relationship to the site on the Parkway. Applicants must also submit between one (1) and three (3) conceptual project proposal design sketches as digital images. Each image should be its own PDF (72 dpi and 1200 pixels) and then combined as a single PDF document and submitted.Proposals must demonstrate feasibility and include a breakdown of project expenses within the $15,000 project budget.
3. RÉSUMÉ/CV AND REFERENCES
The résumé /CV should include information about your education; professional experience; exhibition history (if applicable); awards, grants, and residencies; experience in realizing artwork in the public realm; and other relevant information. Successful applicants should be able to demonstrate their ability to realize their project proposal based on prior experiences.Please also provide the names, email addresses, and telephone numbers of three people who are familiar with your work. If you are applying as a team, a résumé/CV and references must be submitted for each applicant.
4. IMAGES AND DESCRIPTIONS
Submit up to six (6) digital images of recent work saved as a PDF (72 dpi and 1200 pixels). Each image should be its own PDF and then combined as a single PDF document and submitted. These images are in addition to the images submitted as part of the project proposal. Recent works may be realized or proposed projects in any medium. Include descriptive text for each image on the PDF, including, title, date, dimensions, medium, and location.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE
11:59 p.m. EDT on Friday, May 3, 2024
FINALISTS AND PROJECT AWARD
Three finalists will be invited in early June to discuss the viability of their proposals with aPA and the Parkway Council, and may be asked to prepare additional information, visuals, and budget revisions for final review by the jury and selection team. Finalists will receive an honorarium of $250 each. Finalist proposals will also be presented online at the Association for Public Art’s website for public commentary. Finalists may be asked to meet with the jury and selection team to discuss their proposals in more detail the first week of June. The project commission is anticipated to be awarded in mid-June. The selected finalist will have roughly six weeks to fabricate or construct the installation. The completed project is scheduled to open to the public on approximately August 1, 2024. The selected finalist will be required to sign an agreement to the terms of the project as outlined before any work on the site can commence. A payment of $10,000 will be made upon execution of the agreement; the remaining $5,000 upon completion and public opening of the project.
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, the Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability, and the Parkway Council are working to create a multi-phase plan to transform the Parkway into Philadelphia’s greatest public space. A planning team led by Design Workshop was selected in 2021, through a public request for proposal (RFP) for ideas from designers and planners from around the world.
This project seeks to unlock the Parkway’s potential as a great urban park in the center of one of America’s greatest cities.
To learn more about this Parkway Council project visit phlparkway.com.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to develop proposals in response to the project location and take into consideration the site’s urban outdoor environment, as outlined in the site plan. Maja Park includes an existing sculpture (Maja by Gerhard Marcks) as well as a pergola and seating structure.
Pre-application visits to the Parkway and Maja Park are also recommended to learn more about its spaces, public art, and future plans. Please be aware that the selected finalist’s proposal and placement on the site are subject to final approval by the aPA, Parkway Council, and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation staff, and must meet all safety and technical requirements for withstanding the effects of weather and public use.
Visit the site and come to an information session with aPA and the Parkway Council on April 9, 2024 from 5:30pm-6:30pm at Maja Park. For more information on the information session and to register, click here.
Please review the Maja Park Site Plan before submitting your application.
Learn more about the sculpture Maja.
Open Call for Art on the Parkway: Frequently Asked Questions
This page will continue to be updated throughout the duration of the call for proposals. Please check back periodically for updated information.
Proposal
Does my proposal need to serve any functional purpose?
Any type of temporary installation may be proposed. Proposals may be purely formal explorations of space or materials or exhibit some functional use (such as seating or shade).
How closely must my proposal respond to the site or the Parkway?
Successful proposals will engage both Maja Park and the Parkway, however applicants are invited to consider such engagement widely and creatively. Proposals shall be appropriate in scale, material, and content for the site.
Are there other questions or themes my proposal should address?
Successful proposals will look to explore how public art can help create and define a sense of place. No other specific considerations must be met, and we look forward to inventive and creative responses to this prompt.
Will maintenance be provided?
The award recipient is responsible for any ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the artwork while it is installed at the site.
Will the installation be outdoors in all weather?
The installation must be able to withstand being outside through the summer and early fall (three months). Proposals must be able to withstand rain, wind, direct sun, varying temperatures and humidity, and other environmental conditions.
Are there material restrictions for the installation?
Other than functionality, durability, budgeting, and safety, there are no material restrictions. However, the project must be self-contained and not require constant monitoring nor electrical power.
How safe must the installation be?
Installations must be able to withstand the wear and tear of weather exposure and heavy public interaction. The Project Coordinators will work closely with the winning applicant to make any necessary structural modifications, suggestions, or additions.
For safety reasons, we will not select any proposal that enables the public to climb to unsafe heights, access hidden or enclosed spaces, touch materials that could be unsafe in direct sunlight, or encounter sharp or otherwise hazardous edges or protrusions. The selection team will require design modifications to any questionable design feature that poses a potential hazard to the general public.
Will I be able to dig into the ground, create a foundation, or otherwise secure my installation?
Installations are temporary and no permanent foundation or lasting changes to the park can be made.
Can I attach my installation or artwork to the trees or light posts or use the trees or lightposts for rigging?
It is not permitted for the work to attach to or touch trees or light posts in any manner.
Can my proposal be sited on any of the sidewalks or the central plaza?
No, proposals may only be sited on the lawns noted on the Maja Park site plan. Proposals may not block or otherwise impede any of the walkways or paved areas.
I would like to engage the Maja sculpture directly, is that permitted?
It is not permitted for the work to attach to or touch the Maja sculpture in any manner. However, proposals may engage with the sculpture thematically or through site placement.
Will there be lighting at night?
There will not be any dedicated lighting for the project. Ambient park and plaza lighting exists.
Will there be any security?
There will not be any ongoing security or monitoring of the site or installation during the period it is on view.
Eligibility
Can teams apply?
Yes, teams may apply. Please note that regardless of the number of team members, there is only a single project award of $15,000.
Are there any age limitations for applicants?
Applicants must be at least 21 years of age or older in order to apply.
I consider myself creative, but do not have an educational or professional background in a creative field. Am I eligible?
Yes, there are no specific requirements for educational or professional credentialization.
Can non-Philadelphia residents apply? Can non-US citizens apply?
The competition is open to entrants who live or work in the Philadelphia area. To receive the project commission and award, an applicant must have a US tax ID number or Social Security number. Award recipients will be responsible for their project related tax obligations.
I live in Philadelphia, but my artistic partner lives outside the region, are we eligible to apply?
Yes, if you are applying as a team, as long as one team member lives or works in the Philadelphia region, you are eligible.
Are travel funds provided to team members or consultants from outside of the Philadelphia area? Or, are shipping costs paid for?
There are no funds available for travel or accommodations or for shipping or delivery. Any travel or transportation needs should be included in your $15,000 project budget.
Can I submit more than one proposal?
No. Individuals may only submit one proposal, either alone or as part of a team.
Funding and Production
Is there additional funding?
Neither the aPA nor the Parkway Council provides additional funding.
I have other funding sources, can I use these to support my project?
No. The project must be realized and installed within the $15,000 project budget.
Must I account for in-kind support in my budget? For example, access to a free source of materials or access to fabrication facilities through my workplace?
You are free to use in-kind support and this need not be accounted for within the $15,000 project budget. Please add a note to your budget explaining any in-kind support.
How will payment be submitted to the finalist?
A payment of $10,000 will be made upon execution of the agreement; the remaining $5,000 upon completion and public opening of the project.
Do I need insurance?
General insurance for permitting and installation will be arranged by the aPA and Parkway Council. Fine art insurance for the artwork will not be provided.
How many hours should the commissioned project take to install?
It entirely depends on the scope of your project and its complexity.
How long can I work on-site to create the installation?
Projects may be prefabricated off site or constructed on site. The installation schedule must be mutually agreed upon by all parties but must occur during normal park hours of operation.
How many people can I have working on the site?
As many as are reasonable and appropriate given the conditions of the site, or as otherwise approved by the Project Coordinators.
May I propose an installation created through public participation?
Yes, you may engage the public in participatory design. However, any proposal will be reviewed to ensure public safety and all participants must be over 21.
Is there parking near the site?
There is timed street parking on Park Towne Place road located between 24th and 22nd Streets bordering Maja Park and Park Towne Place Apartments. There is also metered parking on the Parkway inbound, outer lane in front of Maja Park.
Can I have materials delivered to the site?
Yes, however deliveries to the site will need to be coordinated with the Project Coordinators, and the artist must be present onsite to accept deliveries.
Can I alter my proposal once commissioned to realize the project ?
The recipient of the commission will work closely with the Program Coordinators to understand the demands of the commissioned proposal and discuss possible issues with construction, materials, schedules, and siting that may affect the final design.
How long will the project be on view?
The installation will be on view for roughly three months. We encourage the commissioned individual or team to find opportunities for their project to find new homes or to be repurposed, or for project materials to be recycled or reused.
Who owns the rights to the commissioned design?
All proposals submitted, whether from individuals or groups, retain the copyright of their designs. aPA, Parkway Council, and PPR reserve the right to reproduce the finalist’s images of the design and installation for their own uses.
Will the project receive any publicity?
Yes, the aPA, Parkway Council, and PPR will publicize the installation and seek media coverage.
Will any public programming take place during the time the project is on view?
We anticipate hosting an opening event and artist’s talk with the commissioned artist and additional programming specific to the project may be offered.