The Summit Project: 

This exciting project seeks to select one (1) visual artist (or artist team), who lives or works in the Northern New Jersey Counties of: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Warren, or Union County who is a current resident of the State of New Jersey. Preferential consideration will be give to artists with a strong connection to the Summit community. Qualified artists are encouraged to submit their ideas for designing vinyl coverings for the glass roof/walls of the Summit Train Station waiting area and stairs. The project will be unveiled in September 2024 and be on view throughout the Fall.  

Artists are encouraged to be considerate of the ridership and public nature of art in transit spaces. The NJ Transit TRANSITional Art Selection Committee (TASC) will review each application received and will select one artist or artist team. In addition to the commission of their work, the artists’ name(s) and images of the project will be shared with the public through NJ Transit and the State Arts Council's social media and other communication platforms.  

Artists should submit examples of their previously completed work, and a short narrative of their project idea for consideration. Work samples submitted will be the basis for the Selection Committee’s consideration of the artists’ ability and experience in undertaking similar projects. NJ Transit will work with the selected artist to approve a final design for digital submission. NJ Transit will undertake the fabrication and installation of the artists’ design on vinyl.

Click View Site Details above for images of the space. 

Media 

This is a design-only call. The selected artist will work with NJ Transit to develop and provide an approved digital design for printing on vinyl. There is a preference for designs that allow light through, as well as are vibrant and cheerful. Artists must consider that the work will be situated in a public location, and subject to the elements and potential vandalism. The TASC seeks artwork that is appropriate for public display, and will not include images depicting violence, nudity or that are sexual in nature in the project.  

Budget 

The TRANSITional Art Project will provide a $10,000 stipend to the selected artist, which can be used toward project costs, travel, supplies, digital media and artistic fees as needed. Only one $10,000 stipend will be provided, so artist teams should allocate the artists fees between them from the total $10,000 budget. 

Safety & Durability  

Artists must consider that the work will be displayed in a public location and subject to the elements and potential vandalism. Artists must work in a timely fashion with the NJ Transit team to ensure the work provided is safe and appropriate for public display.  

Application Requirements

All applications must be submitted through www.callforentry.org (CAFE), a free website for artists to use. Artists must register and set up an account in CAFE, and upload images of their work to their CAFE account in order to submit to this call. Submissions will not be accepted or reviewed through any other means.  

Application Materials to be Submitted in CAFE:  

• A 1,000 character (approx. 250 word) artist statement. You should mention here any specific connection you have to Summit, and provide any insight into your work that you want the selection committee to understand.
• A brief artist bio - no more than 300 words.
• Four to eight (total) digital images of existing, completed artwork.
• A brief narrative that describes the proposed idea for the overall design (no more than a 2-page document upload).
   

Selection Process 

The NJ Transit TRANSITional Art Selection Committee (TASC) includes members of the Summit community, NJ Transit staff and a representative from the State Arts Council. The committee will review application materials and make final recommendations. The selection committee reserves the right to reject any or all entries at any time in the review and selection process.  

Selection Criteria

The goals of this program are to connect NJ Transit riders and the Summit Train Station community with new, stimulating art experiences in their daily lives and to provide New Jersey Artists both exhibition opportunities and a supportive experience creating public art in transit spaces.  

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:  

• Artistic excellence of the work samples in provided images
• Experience to undertake the proposed work, as demonstrated by provided work samples and artists’ biography
• Potential for positive experiences or interactions with the proposed work by NJ Transit riders and the local community (the intended audience of the work)
• Feasibility, safety and durability of the proposed project design

Timeline: 

Call for Artists Closes: May 27, 2024 

Jury Review: May-June 2024 

Artist Notifications: No later than June 28, 2024  

Installations: Mid-July through August, 2024  

Exhibition Official Opening: September, 2024 

(All dates except the completion date are subject to change) 

Eligibility Criteria

This project is open to artists/artist teams who are at least 18 years of age, and legally able to complete a contract with NJ Transit. Artists (individuals or all team members) must live or work in Northern New Jersey (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Warren, or Union County; and must be current residents of the State of New Jersey. Preference will be given to artists with a strong connection to Summit. 

Artist/Teams must be able to work effectively and collaboratively with the NJ Transit Arts Team to further develop their initial proposal idea to a final approved design. Artists should consider the project timeline prior to submitting a proposal. Projects are intended to be completed in Summer 2024, and installed in Fall 2024, meaning artists will have 4-6 weeks total for final design iteration and approval in collaboration with NJ Transit’s team, after notification of selection.  

Contract: 

Upon selection and final design approval, the artist must complete a contract with NJ Transit for stipend payment.  

Questions?     

Technical assistance using CAFÉ is available at:  https://www.callforentry.org/artist-help-cafe/    

Please use CAFÉ help resources for assistance setting up a CAFÉ account, and submitting through the CAFÉ platform.  

Please do not apply to this call if you do not meet the eligibility criteria. Eligibility will be verified. No jurors will review ineligible submissions. 

Direct any questions about the space or project to Christine Blanco, Manager of New Jersey Transit’s Transit Arts Programs at cblanco@njtransit.com or by phone 973-491-8243.  

Please direct any other questions regarding this opportunity to the New Jersey State Council on the Arts Public Art Team:  

Danielle Bursk, Director of Community Partnerships & Artist Services, at Danielle.bursk@sos.nj.gov or 609-633-1184 

Steph Nerbak, Artist Services Manager, at Stephanie.nerbak@sos.nj.gov or 609-292-4474