The Riverline is looking for an artist, or an art organization, to help carry out a community-based art initiative in the summer and early fall of 2023.
This is a sensational opportunity for anyone looking to get involved with promoting the arts in Buffalo, while having a direct hand in implementing strategies to take ideas and concepts towards realizing the design phase. To date, the Riverline community (Old First Ward, Perry, and Valley neighborhoods) has shared stories and memories of people and places that have contributed to the culture and charm of the neighborhoods. Now, those stories and memories will be artistically brought to life – to share with broader community bases.
The program will build upon themes of refuge and togetherness. The overarching goals of the program are to:
Uplift the diversity of cultures and rich history in the communities along The Riverline corridor and foster interaction between The Riverline communities.
Provide meaningful opportunities for residents to tell their stories and express themselves in culturally relevant ways.
Inspire ideas for project elements and public art as The Riverline moves to the design phase.
The Riverline is issuing an “Expression of Interest” to artists and arts organizations that can coordinate and conduct an art project, with the community in mind. An Arts Advisory Committee has been formed, which will review all submitted Expressions of Interest. Five finalists will ultimately be requested to submit more detailed proposals.
Each finalist will receive a $1,000 stipend to cover the cost of completing their detailed proposal. The Riverline will hold a public event displaying each of the finalist proposals, with The Riverline communities having the opportunity to vote for their top choice.
The selected artist/arts organization will be commissioned to run the project throughout the summer and early fall of 2023 with a $10,000 all-inclusive budget (including artist/ organization fees/ materials/ installation and transportation costs, and any additional fees and expenses the project may incur), and the work will culminate in a public event in late October 2023 to exhibit the final artwork.
Riverline will hold an informational session and answer questions about the program and the process for submitting on Thursday May 4th from 5:30 – 6:30pm. If you would like to attend, please email Molly Gadenz, The Riverline Support Specialist, at mgadenz@wnylc.org to register. You will then receive a Zoom invite. The full Expression of Artist Interest can be found at theriverline.com. Click on the “Community Arts Program” button at the top of the page.
The Community Arts Program is funded by the General Mills Hometown Grants Fund and Buffalo Common Council Member Mitch Nowakowksi. It will run from April to October 2023.
To learn more about The Riverline trail project, click here.
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