Deadline: November 6, 2009

Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC), in partnership with JMH Development, seeks proposals for large scale, two-dimensional or three-dimensional wall hung artworks for a series of installations on the lobby wall of a newly renovated waterfront residential property in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Works submitted should have strong visual impact, capturing viewers? interest from afar as well as close up. Works are not limited to but might consider the aesthetic of the space or the history of the building and its surrounding community. The space is a former warehouse loading area where produce was unloaded from a train, it?s now a high finish wood reception area with a floating garden in the back. Brooklyn-based visual artists working in photography, painting, drawing, sculpture and mixed media are encouraged to apply. Video works will not be considered for this project.

About the Building: Located on the Williamsburg waterfront, 184 Kent Avenue was originally home to Austin, Nichols & Company, the largest grocery wholesaler in the Country at the time. The building was constructed from 1913-1915 by renowned architect Cass Gilbert. Gilbert employed Egyptian Revival motifs for the structure, with a covered cornice, battered walls and narrow window openings while pioneering the use of reinforced concrete technology. Although Austin, Nichols & Company moved out in the 1950s, many of the building?s architectural features remain to this day and the building has received a well-deserved place on the National Register of Historic Places.

The building is currently being converted into a luxury rental. An East River shoreline public walkway will run along the western façade of the building. Beginning at 184 Kent Avenue, this walkway will extend to Greenpoint, allowing both tenants and the general public to enjoy the magnificent waterfront.

The lobby wall where artwork will be installed is 20 feet high by 27 feet wide and can be seen from the public walkway. The lobby interior, designed by SLADE Architecture, has double height ceilings, terrazzo floor and custom millwork including a custom-designed perforated ceiling that hangs over the concierge desk. The concierge desk faces the wall where artwork will be installed. The artwork will hang over a large low profile sectional that sits away from the wall.

View images of 184 Kent Ave

Criteria & Guidelines:

• This call for proposals is open to all Brooklyn-based visual artists.
• Artwork should not exceed 156 inches H x 240 inches W x 6 inches D.
• Artists may submit up to 6 images of up to 3 different artworks. These can be of pre-existing artwork(s) proposed for installation, or images provided for illustrative purposes to support proposals for new works to be created for this installation. Proposals for new works will not be eligible for the first installation cycle but could be selected for cycles 2 or 3.
• The proposal application includes a narrative section where artists can describe their work samples and delineate if they are proposing existing work or new work to be created for the space. Artists will be asked to support why they think their work is appropriate for and will make a strong visual impact in the space.
• Proposals will be considered based on feasibility and merit.
• Chosen artists will be contacted by early December 2009.

Application Process: Please complete the online application form by November 6, 2009. Artists may submit up to three artworks for consideration. Be prepared to upload your resume, and up to six image files. The additional image upload slots may be used for detail or alternate views of an artwork.

Please note: You may upload JPG, DOC, and PDF formatted files only. Each file should not to exceed 100kb in size.

APPLY ONLINE NOW