Call for Artists: East Bayfront Greenway Trail Gateway Project

Project Period: February 24th, 2024 – August 31st, 2024

Application Due Date: February 9th, 2024

Project Background and Purpose:

The East Bayfront Greenway is a project first proposed in the City’s Comprehensive Plan, Erie Refocused. The original intent of the project was to remove long abandoned and blighted homes from the neighborhood and replace them with well-maintained, safe, and programmed greenspace. Previously, this space would have remained as abandoned houses or vacant lots- potentially causing other problems for the neighborhood like dumping and tall grass.

Since the project was first proposed, neighbors in the East Bayfront Neighborhood have been surveyed and engaged in various community engagement initiatives, including the Redevelopment Authority’s East Bayfront Greenway Trail plan. This plan determined locations for the trail and laid out priorities the neighbors had for its design. Some of these priorities include:

• Native, salt-resistant plantings can provide habitat, abate stormwater, and provide aesthetic benefits to the natural landscape

• Landscaping that adheres to Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles

• Well-lit public areas with pedestrian-style lighting

Now, the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Erie, the City of Erie Planning and Neighborhood Resources Department and Groundwork Erie are working together to implement this plan in close conjunction with the neighbors directly impacted by this new greenspace.

Through Pennsylvania Council on the Arts’ Creative Communities program, the Erie Neighborhood Growth Partnership seeks an artist to work closely with a landscape design architect, residents and neighbors, and the steering committee for this project (Groundwork Erie, the City of Erie, and the Redevelopment Authority) to create a gateway art piece (or series of art pieces) welcoming walkers, bikers and trail users on the greenway and guides them along the trail from East 6th street through to East 7th street. The design should be informed primarily by conversations with neighborhood residents, the steering committee, and the landscape architect. Because of the property’s history of where houses once were, incorporating salvaged elements into the design to honor the past use of these properties and their history would be preferable but not required. These materials can be salvaged from properties owned by the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Erie.

Other Project Requirements:

• Work closely with Landscape Design Architects as they design the surrounding park space and incorporate your design into the landscape design

• 5-7 hours of time spent with the Groundwork Erie Green Team- youth between the ages of 14-18 at the following project timelines:

• Pre-Design: Gather input and discuss process

• Design: Discuss professional pathways for artists and share updates in design process

• Installation: Safely engage youth on site in a component of the installation phase

• Commit to maintaining the installation for 5 years following its installation date.

• Monthly check-in with steering committee, landscape architect

• Coordination of community engagement with Groundwork Erie staff

Project Timeline:

• February 9th: Application Closes

• Week of February 12th: Initial Artist Selection Notification for Engagement Meeting

• February 24th: Neighborhood Engagement Meeting

• Week of February 26th: Final Artist Selection Notification

• March 1st-August 31st: Meet monthly with steering committee and architect

• Early June: Meet with Green Team (Pre-Design)

• Early July: Meet with Green Team (Design)

• August: Installation/Fabrication

• Early August: Meet with Green Team on site (Installation)

• Late August: Community Celebration/Ribbon Cutting Event

Artist Qualifications:

• Be at least 18 years of age

• Preference given to residents of the City of Erie

• Be comfortable working with community members, attending public meetings, and engaging with diverse residents

• Demonstrated skillset in creating engaging and welcoming public art

Submission Requirements:

• Artist Statement, Bio, and CV

• Work samples

• Narrative Responses:

• Why are you applying to this opportunity?

• How will you work in tandem with project partners (landscape architect, steering committee, Groundwork Youth Green Team, residents)? Have you worked like this in the past with partners and neighbors etc?

• What will you require from the project team to ensure your success?

• What is your relationship to the neighborhood where this project is taking place?

• Simple Initial Concept Sketch/Design (to be shared with residents at community meeting)

Artist Selection Process:

Applicants will be reviewed by the steering committee members as well as Erie Arts and Culture staff. Staff will select up to three applicants to attend the February community meeting to discuss their initial concept designs with neighbors. Following this meeting, one artist will be selected to complete the project. All artists selected to attend the February community meeting will receive a stipend for their time.

Budget:

$7000 Artist Stipend (max)

$10,000 Implementation materials (max)

Please submit proposals and direct any questions related to this ‘Call for Artists’ to:

Erin Carey, Neighborhood Planner City of Erie 626 State Street Erie, PA 16501

Phone: 814-870-1276 Email: ecarey@erie.pa.us