Enlighten Peekskill

The goal of Enlighten Peekskill is the creation of a public art trail of 7 light-emitting sculptures. By using light-emitting artworks to supplement existing street lighting, the walkway will increase visibility, improve public safety, act as a point of interest that enhances the City of Peekskill’s reputation as an art destination in the Hudson Valley, and provide an entry to the City that will encourage, lead, and welcome visitors. 

Hudson Valley MOCA is soliciting proposals from experienced sculptors (artists, and/or artist/fabricators) to create and produce long-term original light-emitting works to be installed in 7 approved locations along the route from the Peekskill MTA Train Station, along South Water Street, up Central Avenue and South Division Street. The sculptures will serve the utilitarian purpose of illuminating the walkway as well as demonstrating the use of the arts to improve the quality of life in the community. 

A budget of $30,000-$50,000 per sculpture is available through project grant funding, plus an additional $5,000 artist’s stipend. The project budget must include ancillary costs as described herein. 

No stipend is being offered to artists to prepare and submit proposals. 

There is no application fee. 

This is a unique opportunity for sculptors to display their work in a public venue as part of a long-term installation. Project marketing materials will likely include photographs of the walking ‘light trail’ and the artists will also have the opportunity to share their concepts and process with the greater arts community.

This public sculpture competition will be managed through the Hudson Valley Museum of Contemporary Art (dba HVMOCA). A curatorial committee will review sculpture proposals, interview candidates, and recommend finalists. 

1. Name, address, daytime phone, email, website, and project title.
2. Identification of the preferred site(s). (This is not a guarantee of final placement.)
3. CV that demonstrates the artist’s qualifications, with dates, including education and training, relevant similar experience, public art exhibition history, awards, etc., for each artist and/or fabricator involved in the project.
4. High-resolution images of a two-dimensional rendering or a three-dimensional model of the artist’s proposed sculpture, showing several angles as it would appear on the site, including how light will project from the sculpture.  PORTFOLIO UPLOAD
5. An Artist’s Statement (maximum of 500 words) that addresses the sculpture’s design and appropriateness for the site and a description of how the sculpture will be viewed during the day and at night.
6. A minimum of 3 and a maximum of 10 high-resolution images of previous work, including large-scale or public sculpture projects created by both artist and fabricator shown in context. Provide information for each image (title, size, materials, description, location, year created). PORTFOLIO UPLOAD
7. Description and drawing of the foundation and installation method, and description of the structural integrity of the sculpture and its required maintenance.
8. Articles, reviews, or testimonials of the artist’s and fabricator’s previous work to demonstrate success on past projects or letters of reference attesting to the quality and durability of the artist’s and fabricator’s work.
9. Project budget, including all costs for design, fabrication, shipping, lighting, sculpture installation materials and supervision, and out-of-pocket expenses, including travel and lodging. Grant funding is available in a range from $30,000-$50,000 per sculpture, not including an artist’s fee of $5,000. Artists may seek additional support to realize their projects.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q.    Is the call for one of the seven possible locations only, or will seven projects be awarded, one for each location? 

A.    A total of seven projects will be awarded. An artist can apply for up to three locations.

Q.    Are there currently any codes within Peekskill ordinances that require a certain type of lighting for public art installations?

A.    No, not at this point in time.

Q.    Will a permit need to be pulled for work and will the electrical work need to be done by a certified electrician?

A.    Projects may require a permit, depending on the location. All electrical work must be done by a certified electrician. We will be seeking bids from a single provider in order to reduce costs, but selected artists will be required to pay for the work required for their projects. If an artist has a question about electrical work, we may be able to provide a connection to someone who can offer advice. Contact us for more information.

Q.    Do all the proposed sites currently or will have an electrical hook-up?

A.    No, all sites have access to electricity but there are no prepared hook-ups. There are overhead lights/pole lamps and/or electrical lines available nearby, but electric lines will need to be run to specific sites. The amount of power available will depend on the location.

Q.    Will footings and foundations be included in the artist budget or be allocated separate from this?

A.    The cost for footings and/or foundations should be included in the artist’s budget.

Q.    Is there a weight limit for artworks that may be attached to the wall underneath the bridge or in other locations?

A.    Weight requirements will need to be determined on a case-by-case basis; safety precautions will need to be taken to permanently secure an artwork to a wall.

Q.    Regarding the requirement for testimonials related to durable prior work: for those of us who focus on temporary or seasonal site projects, will testimonials from these projects provide an adequate track record? 

A.    If testimonials are provided that show that previous work has been substantial and not easily damaged, this will be sufficient.

Experienced sculptors and/or artist fabricators. Public art experience preferred.