Last week, NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver joined UNIQLO USA CEO, artist Alexandre Arrechea, local elected officials, and community members at Fort Greene Park to announce a partnership that will bring more public art to city parks. UNIQLO has committed $200,000 to the Art in the Parks: UNIQLO Park Expressions Grant to install original artworks by a rotating roster of New York City-based artists in 10 destination parks. The chosen locations are Joyce Kilmer Park and Virginia Park in the Bronx; Fort Greene Park and Herbert Von King Park in Brooklyn; Thomas Jefferson Park and Seward Park in Manhattan; Flushing Meadows Corona Park and Rufus King Park in Queens; and Tappen Park and Faber Park in Staten Island.

Grant recipients will be selected through an open application process and will be chosen by a committee of arts professionals from the five boroughs, as well as NYC Parks and UNIQLO USA representatives. Proposals will be judged according to artistic and creative merit, response to the surrounding community, and suitability to the site. Priority will be given to proposals that respond directly to the park and its neighborhood. The deadline for submissions is November 13, 2016. For information about upcoming grant info sessions and details about how to apply, visit the project webpage.

The first round of artists will be announced in January 2017, with their artworks going on display in spring 2017.

Photos by: Daniel Avila/NYC Parks