GREENFIELD — The town is seeking proposals from artists for a sculpture in the downtown parking area at Fiske Avenue and Miles Street to welcome people as they walk toward the Energy Park.
Artists from all disciplines and regions of the country are eligible to submit proposals, as long as they are over 21, and $14,300 will be awarded for the creation, delivery and installation of the sculpture. Completed applications are due to the town no later than May 13.
“We believe that downtown Greenfield is a great place to be and we are adding art to emphasize it,” Recreation Director Christy Moore said in a news release. “This sculpture is one more element to creating a downtown that is both dynamic and fun.”
The piece will be located on a site 10 feet wide by 30 feet long, and the sculpture must have a footprint no larger than 10-by-10 feet, according to the request for proposals. Furthermore, it must be at least 6 feet tall and made of non-corrosive materials — not wood — and have no sharp edges that might cause injury.
The project is funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council Adams Grant Program and the town. Possible themes for the sculpture include, but are not limited to the industrial history of Greenfield, the evolution of downtown as a commercial center and the town’s cultural history, according to the request for proposals.
A selection committee composed of Greenfield Public Art Committee members, town officials and independent jurors specializing in the field will select the winning proposal. The contract will be awarded June 3 and the deadline for installation of the sculpture is June 1, 2017.
As part of the Adams Grant, the town will also install a new mural downtown this spring, which is being created by a group of students, as well as painted parking meters.
Artists interested in applying should contact Moore at 413-772-1553 or christym@greenfield-ma.gov. A call to artists can be found at greenfield-ma.gov/p/290/active-bidsrfqrfp.
You can reach Aviva Luttrell at: aluttrell@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 268
On Twitter: @AvivaLuttrell