New York City is calling its artists to do the makeover of the Port Authority Bus Terminal, famously called “the single worst place on planet Earth”, with a block-wide mural that will be selected through an open call contest launched this week.
The mural project will be unveiled this autumn and is part of a $10bn years-long redevelopment plan for the station—which more than 27 million commuters and out-of-state travelers begrudgingly use each year—that is due to be completed in 2023.
Artists can submit their proposals till July 15. The proposals are being overseen by the Garment District Alliance, a non-profit public service organisation. The winner should be “a passionate, well-established artist who can transform the area into an animated art experience for commuters and visitors”, says Barbara Blair, the president of the organisation. The commission winner will receive $20000.
The work will be unveiled this autumn and will aim to “complement the local environment and streetscape, and contain aesthetically compelling design with positive image-driven messaging to inspire and uplift people,” Blair tells. The mural will be on view on the 40th Street façade between 8th and 9th Avenue.