City of New Bedford Issues Call for Artists for Cove Walk Artwork

New Bedford, Massachusetts – The City of New Bedford’s Department of City Planning, in collaboration with New Bedford Creative, announces a Call for Artists. The call is seeking artist proposals for temporary public artwork to be located at the entrance to the New Bedford Cove Walk (1087 Cove Road) in 2023.

A $10,000 budget commission for the temporary art is made possible through a city grant funded by the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA), Making it Public Program.

Earlier this year the City and New Bedford Creative distributed a survey to seek community feedback about the potential location and theme of the project to ensure that they align with the interests of the community. The Cove Walk entrance and the theme of “Secrets” were chosen.

The Cove Walk is a 5,550 ft long walking path situated on top of the City’s hurricane barrier on the western side of the southern peninsula, overlooking Clark’s Cove. The Cove Walk connects to the Harbor Walk and the more comprehensive Blue Lane which runs along the city’s waterfront.

The Cove Walk is a popular destination and recreational asset offering panoramic water views for runners, cyclists, dog walkers, families with strollers, and visitors to the city.

The theme for the temporary art, “Secrets” is a concept which explores how or if public spaces can be a conduit for surfacing and sharing secrets that can connect us.  It can also examine how events that happen, or ideas formed in secret affect public spaces.  This includes personal secrets, ignored or forgotten cultural histories, hidden talents or spaces, or anything that lies beneath the surface of the everyday public sphere. Art proposals in any medium are welcome.

This project is open to artists, and or collaborative artist team with special consideration provided to New Bedford practicing artists. The City of New Bedford is committed to building a public art collection that represents artists from a broad diversity of race, color, creed, gender, gender variance, sexual orientation, national origin, age, religion, marital status, political opinion or affiliation, and mental or physical disability. The selection panel is especially interested in artists who can demonstrate a deep understanding of the community, its users and the neighborhood, as well as the area’s history and urban landscape and make that connection to the selected theme.

This Call for Artists expands the City’s commitment to expand public art and utilize it as a tool for placemaking and enhancing the city’s identity as a cultural community while supporting the operating capacity of working artists.

More information and a link to the application form can be found at: https://forms.gle/jvwjJnZG71Chxa9R7