Call to Artists
”Resiliency”

Art on the Ave is a public art initiative dedicated to community activation and the elevation of underrepresented artists.  

Using the work of local New York artists, we wish to spark a conversation about “resiliency.” As a concept “resiliency” is universal, timeless and abstract. Therefore, it is up to the interpretation of the artist to decide how the work speaks to the theme.

What will the project look like? 

Art on the Ave puts art in vacant storefronts in high visibility locations. Our exhibitions aim to create a sense of pride in place. Our third exhibition will be located in Lower Manhattan, with support from the Downtown Alliance, Lower Manhattan’s Business Improvement District. Artwork tells a story and we want to help tell one that complements the narrative of this area. 

Lower Manhattan is not only a place to do business. It is a community and a neighborhood. With the important commemoration of 9-11 coming up, and as our community comes out of a global pandemic, we can reinforce the message that Lower Manhattan doesn’t just “come back”- it leaps forward. 

Artistic Direction:

Artists will be guided by the notion of “resiliency” - the ability to recover from difficulty or challenge. New Yorkers are resilient, and we want to see how you interpret the term. You might be inspired by your own personal resiliency in the face of adversity and challenge, the resiliency of the city in a time of struggle, or even the resiliency of the planet in the face of a global climate crisis. 

Submissions should reflect, in a literal or symbolic way, Art on the Ave’s values. Inclusivity, empathy, equity, growth, action, and activism are some of the key values that applicants can integrate. We look at artist statements closely to ensure that they reflect the exhibition theme. 

Technical Parameters: 

Artwork must be…

  • 2-dimensional

  • There are two sizes of gallery walls. 2ft wide and 4ft wide. Pieces CANNOT exceed 40in by 40in.

  • Gallery-Ready (ie. photography must be framed either without glass or with non-reflective glass, canvas must be stretched)

Project Timeline: 

  • July 2 2021: Application Deadline

  • July 23 2021: Selections Announced

  • August 7 2021: Deadline for artwork to be deposited at storage facility

  • September 2021:  Installation

  • November 2021: End of Project

Application Requirements: 

  • Artist Statement (including rationale detailing why the submission meets the mandate of the project) 

  • Artist Bio 

  • Resume

  • Links to website and social media channels (if applicable) 

  • Phone Number

  • Address

  • Artwork Image - May submit up to 3 pieces for consideration (submitted as a JPeg or PNG, maximum 5 MB per image) 

  • Artwork medium and dimensions (dimensions should reflect the final framed size if the piece will be framed) 

  • Price (cannot exceed $5,000)

  • Selected artists will be expected to record an audio recording of how their work speaks to the theme of ‘resiliency.’ These are facilitated by our partner, MouthMedia Network, and require the use of Google Chrome on a laptop or desktop computer and a stable wifi connection. These audio recordings will take place during the week of August 9-13. They are 30 minute slots and the final recording will be 1 minute long. 

Please submit your completed application by 11:59pm on July 2 2021. 

Please note, if your application is not submitted according to our guidelines, it may not be considered. 

All applications will be considered by an approval panel, and results will be released on July 23 2021. 

For any queries please email info@artontheavenyc.com