The Somerville Arts Council, City of Somerville, the MBTA, and the Gilman Square Neighborhood Association (GSNA) are seeking qualifications from artists interested in creating a public artwork for Gilman Square for the MBTA’s Traction Power Substation (TPSS) Building.
The structure is part of the new Green Line T station located at the intersection of Medford and Pearl Street. Gilman Square is home to Somerville High School and City Hall, Mad Oyster Studios, and celebrated restaurant Sarma. The Gilman Square Neighborhood Association is actively working with the City of Somerville to define parameters for future development that include a vibrant arts community, greenspace, retail, and industry. This is Gilman Square’s first major public art installation and it will be highly visible. It should serve as an iconic beacon to welcome people to the area.
If you are an artist (or team) who has successfully completed murals or other public art installations, please apply to this open call by January 28, 2022.
The chosen finalist will receive a fixed fee of $80,000. This stipend includes all expenses associated with the completion of the project, including, artist(s) labor and coordination, payment to subs-contractors, supplies, travel, equipment, housing, insurance. Final applicant is expected to fully manage the project with support of the Arts Council. This amount will be distributed upon completion of milestones noted in the final contract.
This Call for Artists builds on recommendations developed by the Gilman Square Neighborhood Association (GSNA) which were arrived at through a process of community engagement and included a survey of community members about preferences for public art in the square. We hope that this will be the first of many public art opportunities in Gilman Square.
To apply directly to online form go here.
