ArtsWestchester awarded $145,000 grant for Gov. Mario Cuomo bridge public art project

White Plains, NY ArtsWestchester is the recipient of  a $145,000 grant from the New NY Bridge Community Benefit Program to commission two sculptures by New York State artists for the governor Mario Cuomo Bridge. The monumental artworks may incorporate remnant steel salvaged from the retired Tappan Zee Bridge and will be placed at designated sites on New York State Thruway-owned land on the Tarrytown (Westchester County) and South Nyack (Rockland County) sides of the bridge’s shared bicycle/pedestrian path next year.

Janet Langsam, CEO of ArtsWestchester said, “Public art, like the bridge, is exciting, engaging and inspirational. It helps create a special sense of connection to place and infuses the extraordinary into everyday life. The fact that the New York State Thruway Authority has decided to incorporate original artwork into the new bridge project is sensational.” 

Now through January 11, 2019, ArtsWestchester, in partnership with the New York State Thruway Authority and the Arts Council of Rockland, seeks qualifications from professional New York State artists or artist collectives interested in creating permanent site-responsive works of public sculpture for the Rockland County and Westchester County landings of the shared bicycle/pedestrian path on the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.  

The request for artist qualifications is the first in a two-stage competitive process to identify artists for the sculpture commissions. Eligible artists must reside, work or maintain a studio in New York State and have until midnight, Jan. 11, 2019 to submit their qualifications via the website: artsw.org/mariocuomobridge to ArtsWestchester.  

Each artist’s sculpture commission will be in the amount of $45,000, plus monies to cover engineering costs for each sculpture. Artists will be notified if they are invited to submit a full proposal on or around Feb. 4, 2019.

The New York State Thruway Authority replaced the Tappan Zee Bridge with a new 3.1-mile, twin-span bridge across the Hudson River. The $3.98 billion Governor Mario Cuomo Bridge is one of the largest single design-build contracts for a transportation project in the United States. Located less than 20 miles north of New York City, the cable-stayed span crosses one of the widest parts of the river and is the largest bridge project in New York State history.

The bridge features a shared bicycle/pedestrian path, which will include six overlooks–resting points that will reflect the culture and history of the Lower Hudson Valley. The path will provide a new connection for non-motorized transport in the region and offer an exciting recreational opportunity that currently doesn’t exist in Rockland or Westchester. 

The path has a landing plaza at each side of the bridge, one in Rockland and one in Westchester, with public gathering and parking areas. Locations at each landing have been designated for the placement of a significant work of public sculpture. 

Artists selected to develop a proposal will be contacted by an ArtsWestchester program staff person with further details about the site. 

All submissions must be made electronically, via our online application portal, using the link: artsw.org/mariocuomobridge

No submissions via email or mail, or in person shall be accepted. 

Jamey Barbas, P.E., New NY Bridge Project Director for the New York State Thruway Authority, explains, “We are committed to improving the quality of life for local residents and communities, and the arts are central to that. This grant and the subsequent sculpture commissions will further enhance the public spaces of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge and we are delighted to be able to support such a worthwhile endeavor.” 

Thruway Authority Executive Director Matthew J. Driscoll says, “The public arts competition provides a unique opportunity for New York State artists, whether it’s by honoring the Hudson Valley’s natural beauty, the region’s rich heritage or the remarkable engineering of the new bridge. The Thruway Authority is delighted to make space available at the Rockland and Westchester landings of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge for the future artworks to be displayed and to showcase their creativity.” 

Artists interested in being considered for this opportunity must submit the following:

A current resume/CV, particularly highlighting relevant experience (required)

Artist statement (required)

Minimum of 5, up to 10 images of original completed artworks (Work Samples) (required)

Work Samples Checklist (required)

Letter of interest (required)

Up to 3 professional references (not required)

Artists will be asked to identify to which opportunity they are applying (Rockland or Westchester landing.) Artists may be considered for both opportunities, but must submit a distinct letter of interest for each opportunity. 

For more than 50 years, ArtsWestchester has been the community’s connection to the arts. Founded in 1965, it is the largest, private, not-for-profit arts council in New York State. Its mission is to provide leadership, vision, and support, to ensure the availability, accessibility, and diversity of the arts. ArtsWestchester provides programs and services that enrich the lives of everyone in Westchester County. ArtsWestchester helps fund concerts, exhibitions and plays through grants; brings artists into schools and community centers; advocates for the arts; and builds audiences through diverse marketing initiatives. In 1998, ArtsWestchester purchased the nine-story neo-classical bank building at 31 Mamaroneck Avenue which has since been transformed into a multi-use resource for artists, cultural organizations, and the community. A two-story gallery is located on the first floor of ArtsWestchester’s historic building in downtown White Plains.

The Arts Council of Rockland is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the arts, culture and the role of artists in our community. It seeks to foster appreciation and participation in the arts in the diverse socio-economic communities that reside in Rockland County by providing programs of interest to the community and its members, professional development to artists and educators, marketing resources for artists and arts organizations, access to grant opportunities, scholarships, and increased opportunities to network and collaborate.