TRANSITional Art Project: Trenton Transit Station Bike Racks Re-craft/Re-envision

NJ Transit and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts seek one visual artist or artist team to re-craft the bike racks at the NJ Transit Trenton Transit Station. Eligible artists must live or work in the Central New Jersey counties of Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Somerset, Union, and Hunterdon, and must be current residents of New Jersey. Preference will be given to artists with a connection to Trenton. The project will be unveiled in Summer 2021 as part of the "Stepping into Tomorrow" public art event. Artists should submit examples of previously completed work and a short narrative of their project idea. The selected artist will receive a $10,000 stipend, which can be used toward project costs, supplies, fabrication, and artistic fees. NJ Transit will manage the logistics and labor of de-installing and re-installing the bike racks, with the artist's assistance for re-installation as needed.

Artists must be at least 18 years of age and legally able to complete a contract with NJ Transit. All media appropriate to the project will be considered, with preference for sturdy metal work or creative painting. Artists must consider that the work will be displayed in a public location, subject to the elements and potential vandalism, and must work in a timely fashion with the NJ Transit team to ensure the work is safe, durable, and appropriate for public display. Projects are intended to be completed and installed in June 2021, providing artists with 4-6 weeks total for fabrication after notification of selection. The TASC will not include images depicting violence, nudity, or sexual content.

Proposals will be evaluated based on artistic excellence, experience to undertake the proposed work, potential for positive experiences with the work by NJ Transit riders and the local community, and feasibility, safety, and durability of the proposed design. Submissions must include a 1,000 character artist statement, artist bio, four to eight digital images of existing completed artwork, and a 2-page narrative describing the proposed bike rack design. All applications must be submitted through www.callforentry.org (CAFE). Questions about the space, project, or program should be directed to Christine Blanco at [email protected] or 973-491-8243.