SPNA 2026 Sculpture Open Call and Grant
Grant and Exhibition Details
The Stuyvesant Park Neighborhood Association (SPNA) is excited to accept proposals for its 3rd Sculpture Open Call and Grant. The chosen artist will be granted a total award of $5,000, which is inclusive of all installation / deinstallation costs. The artwork(s) will be installed in May or June of 2027 in the historic East or West Stuyvesant Park and will be on view for up to one year.
The grant recipient will be selected through an open application process and chosen by a committee composed of SPNA members, art professionals, and NYC Parks representatives. Proposals will be judged according to artistic and creative merit, how well the sculpture responds to the theme of renewal and respite, and site suitability. Priority will be given to proposals that respond directly to Stuyvesant Park and its neighborhood.
Theme
“Renewal and Respite found in Nature”
Priority will be given to proposals that respond directly to Stuyvesant Park and its surrounding neighborhood.
The selected artwork may be installed in one of the following locations:
Large lawn area and adjacent area on the northern side of Stuyvesant Square West Park
Large lawn area and adjacent areas on the northern side of Stuyvesant Square East Park
Additional locations may also be considered. For more information on Stuyvesant Square Park, please visit the NYC Parks Website.
Timeline
Proposals accepted: September 15–October 25, 2026
Application deadline: Sunday, October 25, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EST
Recipient announced: November 2026
Installation: May or June 2027
Exhibition: Up to one year
Eligibility
This award is open to New York City-based artists from all five boroughs. Preference will be given to applicants who have a personal connection to Stuyvesant Park and the surrounding neighborhood. Eligible artists will have specialized training in their field (not necessarily gained in an academic institution), who are at a mid-stage in their career, and who have created a modest independent body of work. Proposals for new and previously exhibited sculptures will be accepted. If the proposal is for a new sculpture, please describe the suitability for outdoor display.
Application Procedure
Proposals will be subject to NYC Parks review and follow NYC Parks public art guidelines. Proposals must be submitted as a single PDF and include:
Resume with current contact information
One-page statement describing artist’s work in general
Proposed sculpture (or sculptures) - detailed description of no more than two written pages
Representative renderings or images of proposed artwork
List of materials, dimensions, and weight
Installation site recommendations
Maintenance recommendations
Names and contact information of two references who are familiar with the artist
5-6 images of previous work; each image should be labeled with short descriptions
All materials must be received by midnight on Sunday, October 25, 2026. Proposals should be emailed to the SPNA Arts Committee at arts@spnanyc.org with “SPNA Sculpture Open Call 2026” in the subject line. Please send all questions to the same email address: arts@spnanyc.org.
Other Award Details
Artworks cannot be attached to trees or lampposts. Murals will not be considered.
Chosen recipient will be granted an award of $5,000 in total. Recipient will be responsible for the costs related to the fabrication, installation, insurance, maintenance, and de-installation of the artwork. At the end of the exhibition term, the artist is responsible for returning the park to its original condition.
SPNA and NYC Parks will assist the awarded artist with logistics such as securing permits and site specifications. The artist will be responsible for engineering documents if necessary. The recipient is encouraged to procure in-kind donations or additional funding if exhibition costs exceed the grant amount. Artists are encouraged to research partnership opportunities with community and cultural organizations.
Program Background
NYC Parks’ Art in the Parks program has consistently fostered the creation and installation of temporary public art in parks throughout the five boroughs. Since 1967, NYC Parks has collaborated with artists and arts organizations to produce over one thousand public artworks in New York City parks. For more information about the program, visit the Art in the Parks page.
As stewards, the Stuyvesant Park Neighborhood Association aspires to raise awareness and engage the community by caring for the natural environment, preserving our history, and providing exceptional programming. We are committed to making the park accessible for all to enjoy, now and for future generations. Partnering with NYC Parks and supporting NYC artists is a natural extension of our mission. For more information about our mission, please visit SPNA’s website.
Previous SPNA Award Winners
Judith Modrak, Nurturing Tree - 2025 Award Winner (currently on view in Stuyvesant Park)
Nurturing Tree explores connections to our families, communities, and the natural world. The sculpture springs from the tree trunk and was inspired by the great Mother Elm who lived in the park for over 300 years. The work engages the public in considering the cycles of regeneration and healing, on a personal and environmental level, in a welcoming and nurturing way.
Lee Tal, Blooming Reflection – 2024 Award Winner
Blooming Reflection bridged nature and urban existence in New York City. The installation featured four stainless steel and highly reflective silhouettes of flowers and plants indigenous to the island of Manhattan. The sculptures were placed throughout the park in garden areas and appeared to grow along with the living plantings.