New Jersey Transit Elizabeth Rail Station Plaza Sculpture

NJ TRANSIT is soliciting Expressions of Interest from prospective artists to design, fabricate and install artwork for the planned Platform and Station Reconstruction of Elizabeth Rail Station. This call is only open to artists living in NJ, NY, PA, DE, MD and DC. The proposed artwork is part of the New Jersey Arts Inclusion Program, coordinated by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and NJ TRANSIT. Since the passage of the New Jersey Arts Inclusion Act of 1978, the program has led to the commissioning and installation of hundreds of public artworks in state financed construction projects throughout New Jersey.

The Elizabeth Rail Station Platform and Station Reconstruction Project includes construction of a new multiple-story station building with a new ticket office, restoration and extension of high-level platforms, new platform canopies and climate controlled platform shelters, facility lighting, passenger communications and video surveillance systems, rehabilitation of two existing and construction of two new passenger elevators, new stairs, and improvements to the pedestrian tunnel. The location for the art is a sculpture in the plaza area facing West Grand Street, intended to create a better sense of space and community. Materials selected shall be sustainable and require minimal maintenance, appropriate for a public setting. The total proposed budget for the art sculpture is $110,000, covering all costs incurred by the artist relating to design, fabrication and installation.

Potential artists will be selected from those who submit expressions of interest. Shortlisted artists will receive a request for proposal (RFP). Selection criteria include: artistic quality of proposed artwork; appropriateness to the site and project objectives; permanence, durability, maintainability and use of high-quality materials; absence of hazards to the public; measures to protect against vandalism; innovation in use of materials and techniques; willingness to coordinate with the project team; ability to create and install artwork within the established timeframe; and fabrication price within budget constraints. Artists should submit letters summarizing their interest and experience in public artworks, including a list of at least 3 references, resume, photographs/images (minimum 4, maximum 6) of examples of public art installations, and website links. Jury/Panel Review begins August 11th, 2016 and ends August 25th, 2016. Notification of Finalists is August 29th, 2016. Finalist Presentations are between September 27th and September 30th, 2016. Notification of Selected Artists is October 5th, 2016. Notice to Proceed is March 20, 2017.