The Manhattan Parks and Recreation Department recently announced a request for artist proposals to design and install a 14’ wide mural in the newly constructed Douglass Activity Center. Mural installation will begin in April 2021 and must be completed no later than June 12, 2021, for unveiling at the Juneteenth Celebration on June 19, 2021.
The Douglass Activity Center at 925 Yuma Street is scheduled to open this spring. The new center will offer sports amenities and programming, a community room, a fitness room, and an elevated three-lane walking track, which will be open to the community.
This mural project represents a unique opportunity for the selected artist to create a piece of public art representing the Black community in Manhattan. The mural’s theme should speak to the cultural and historical legacy of the area while celebrating and honoring the strength and resilience of the Black community. The mural should celebrate social justice, the creative cultural landscape, and changing attitudes toward racial equality. This mural will be the pinnacle of the Douglass Activity Center and will instill a sense of pride for the City.
“Yuma Street and the Douglass Center have been the heart of the Black community in Manhattan for generations,” said Douglass Center Director Dave Baker. “We are excited to celebrate and honor this rich history through art.”
Proposals are due by Monday, March 1 at 5:00 p.m. They must include a total project budget breakdown not to exceed $13,500 to complete the mural. For more information or to submit a proposal, please see project details at https://www.mhkprd.com/517/Douglass-Mural-Project.