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Norfolk Arts & the Poetry on the Pavement Planning Committee aim to celebrate & acknowledge poets through this project that will engage pedestrian senses & emotions & create moments of joy, empathy, & reflection. Approximately 20 curated poems from local poets will be made into stencils, & painted on sidewalks & pathways throughout Norfolk.

ELIGIBILITY: Open to poets who live, work, or go to school in Norfolk, Virginia excluding members of the selection committee, Arts & Humanities or Public Arts Commission.

REQUIREMENTS: 150 character limit per poem including title (excluding spaces & punctuation). Poem line breaks must be phrased to fit in approximately 3’ lengths (maximum 18 characters per line). An additional 15 characters are allowed for author or pen name. Poems must be original, unpublished works; or if previously published, rights must have been reverted. The city will consider the diversity of beliefs & values & general standards of decency of the citizens of Norfolk.

BUDGET: $150 per poem
 
Email submissions to: artscommission@norfolk.gov by May 9, 11:59pm

Questions: karen.rudd@norfolk.gov or debra.burrell@norfolk.gov

Selections will be made through a blind reading process.

Norfolk Arts and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia (BGCSEVA) have received a grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies to create inspirational asphalt art interventions in each of the three Norfolk Police Patrol Districts to improve public safety and enhance quality of life.

The 1st asphalt artwork project was created in Norview in October 2020. This 2nd call to artist/artist team is to develop a design and create asphalt artwork in Tidewater Gardens at the intersection of Ruffner and Charlotte Streets. Painting is scheduled for June 16-18, 2021. A community celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony will take place, June 19, 2021, to include a Double Dutch jump rope performance with competitive teams returning to reconnect to the neighborhood they once called home.

Selected artists or artist team will work with the community, Boys and Girls Club members, and the Norfolk Police Department to develop a design that includes a portion to be painted by volunteers. The beautiful, meaningful artwork will be specific to the neighborhood, enhance the pedestrian experience and support police relations. The artwork will serve as the stage for the Double Dutch jump rope competition during the community celebration.

The celebration event date, scheduled for the 19th of June, is recognized as Juneteenth, Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Liberation Day, and Emancipation Day, a state holiday celebrating the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the United States. Artists should consider themes related to Double Dutch and Juneteenth in their artwork design.

PROJECT FUNDS: A $3,000 budget for artwork design and completion of the project includes artist’s honorarium, fabrication, insurance, and other expenses necessary to complete the project. A separate materials fund will be established after the design and budget is approved. Up to three finalists may be selected to be interviewed virtually by the Asphalt Art Committee. A preliminary discussion of the site will also take place. Finalists are not expected to complete a design at this stage but will be interviewed about past work and creative process. The committee reserves the right to select the final artist without a finalist process.

Selected artists must carry a Commercial General Liability Insurance Policy naming the City of Norfolk and partners as an additional insured and must provide certificates of insurance to that effect.

(Note: No Deadline, this is an ongoing opportunity)

The Norfolk Public Art Commission seeks to match funds to create Public Private Partnerships to create public art in Norfolk, VA.

CONTEXT: Public art is a valuable tool for creating dynamic and sustainable places. Art displayed prominently at locations within the community serves as an effective tool for creating unique and diverse destinations. Public art can also bring added texture to otherwise indistinguishable areas. Funded by 1% of the City of Norfolk’s Capital Improvement budget, the Norfolk Public Art Program has been successfully commissioning public art for the past twelve years in downtown, parking garages, the zoo, light rail stations, community centers and a variety of other public spaces.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: We are seeking private commercial developers who want to enhance their development project with public art. The Norfolk Public Art Commission will match up to $25,000 for each project.

PROJECT SITE: Artwork must be placed within Norfolk city limits at the private development site where it can be experienced by the maximum number of people.

SIZE/MEDIA: Artwork size and materials will be determined by the project site(s). Artwork must be fabricated in durable, permanent materials that are safe and easily maintained. Artwork will become the property of the City of Norfolk and will be maintained by the City.

PROJECT FUNDS: The total budget for the completed artwork will be a minimum of $50,000 with $25,000 from City Public Art funds and $25,000 or more from the developer.

TO APPLY: All commercial developers and foundations are eligible. Please submit a letter of interest to Karen Rudd, City Hall, 810 Union St., Room 409 Marketing and Communications, Norfolk, Virginia 23510 or email karen.rudd@norfolk.gov. Candidates will be interviewed prior to final selection. There is no fee to apply.

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