4220 Bailey Avenue, Amherst NY

Arts Services Inc. of Western New York (ASI), on behalf of Assemblymember Karen McMahon’s Office, invites artists in all appropriate mediums (2-dimensional and 3-dimensional) from throughout Western New York to submit proposals for an outdoor public art project located at Amherst Police Department Community Policing and Training Facility in Amherst, NY on the corner of Bailey Avenue and Freemont Avenue. This building is owned by the Town of Amherst. The wall facing Freemont Avenue will be the site of the mural. The wall is constructed of metal siding and stucco.

 

Project Background and Goals

This facility is used by the Town of Amherst Police Department for various police training operations, and community engagement, including disability awareness training for all types of first responders. The facility also houses the Amherst Public Safety Emergency Operations Center which served as the command center for emergency services during the Covid pandemic.   

Assemblymember Karen McMahon’s Office is seeking a public art mural that is “innovative and diverse for the Bailey Avenue neighborhood. A designed mural that promotes community engagement, celebrates the local neighborhood and can be seen via foot or vehicular traffic. This mural should encourage neighbors and the university district to envision themselves and their activities within the design.”

The artist should be aware that there are other businesses nearby including privately owned businesses, in addition to Bailey Avenue being a highly trafficked area (both foot and vehicle). The dimensions of the wall of the building are an area of metal siding 75’ x 17’ and a stucco jog out 19’ x 10’.

 

The chosen work should:

  • Highlight aspects of local community engagement;
  • Highlight the diversity of the area, including (but not limited to) the Bailey Avenue community, the University at Buffalo campus, and other local activity;

The entire wall is available for use. Full dimensions of the wall space include an area of metal siding 75’ x 17’ and a stucco jog out 19’ x 10’.

  • Have an expected lifespan of 3-5 years unprotected from the elements.

 

Budget

A commission of $36,000 is available for the chosen artist to create and install their work.

Artists are required to provide all supplies and materials to complete the work, including a scissor lift or bucket truck, if needed. The Town of Amherst may be able to arrange storage options on site at the building if needed. Please include any and all requests in artist proposal. Artist should detail what assistance or materials are provided by his/her/themself and what may be required or needed by building owners or others in their proposal (if applicable).

 

Timeline

            Deadline to Submit: No later than 5 pm on Friday, September 16

            September: Selection of Artist

            September/October: Public Announcement of Selection

            September/October: Mural implementation & Planning Meetings; completed and installed work      (weather-dependent)

The timeline will adhere to building status and preparation (if needed) to execute a mural when appropriate; including factoring in proper weather conditions.

 

Proposals should include:

  • A description of the work including materials and dimensions;
  • Sketches of the work;
  • A budget including artist fees, supplies and materials, and any other costs associated to create the work;
  • Links to examples of past work; and
  • Contact information (including email, phone, and address).

Proposals should be sent electronically (in PDF form) to [email protected] with the subject line ‘Amherst NY Proposal’, as can questions. Since the site is open and available to the public, a site visit to see it can be done at any time necessary. Artists can also schedule a visit by contacting Dan Rizzo at [email protected].

 

Proposals are due no later than 5 pm on Friday, September 16, 2022.