City of Chicago INVEST South/West Englewood: Halsted Gateway Project

INVEST South/West is a community improvement initiative from Mayor Lightfoot to marshal resources from multiple City departments, community organizations, and corporate partners toward 10 neighborhoods on Chicago's South and West sides. The City will align more than $750 million in public funding over three years to leverage private capital, respond to changing commercial trends, and enrich local culture.

Greater Englewood is one of 10 priority areas in the initial phase of INVEST South/West. The Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events (DCASE), Department of Planning and Development (DPD), and Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) have partnered to renew the Englewood Line's viaduct at 5800 S. Halsted. DCASE will commission an artist to create a site-specific gateway mural signaling entrance to the commercial district at 63rd and Halsted. The artist or artist team will create artwork for the street-level walls (painted mural) and bridge span (commercially printed vinyl). The two components should visually reference each other and work together as a cohesive artwork. Through community engagement, the artist will work collaboratively with local residents to develop the design, with possible community participation in execution.

Site dimensions: Viaduct walls/painted mural sites with central panels approximately 41' L x 11' H and tapering wing walls with additional 15' length; Steel bridge span approximately 70' L x 6.5' H (each face). Finalists receive a $1,000 honorarium to develop proposals. The artwork commission is $65,000, inclusive of all costs and fees for design, materials and supplies, site preparation, fabrication, installation, and insurance. Submission deadline: July 12, 2020 by 11:59 p.m. CST. Submit a one-page Letter of Interest, 5-10 images of past public art projects with accompanying image list/descriptions, optional video (2-3 sentences description), resume or CV, and if applying as a team, list of key team members and their roles/affiliations.