Call Description

NJ TRANSIT and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts are pleased to present the TRANSITional Art Project: Rahway Rail Station Photography Exhibition. This call is soliciting submissions from prospective photographers to provide images to be exhibited as part of the temporary art installation at the Rahway Rail Station. Submissions will only be accepted from artists who live in Central NJ (Counties of Union, Somerset, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, or Hunterdon). This exhibition will be unveiled in September 2025.  

NOTE: This is one of two calls for artists currently open for the Rahway Rail Station’s TRANSITional Art Project. Click the link below to access the other call, TRANSITional Art Project: Rahway Rail Station Exterior Fiber Art.

About the Transit Arts Program: 

Recognizing that public art can have a significant beneficial impact upon the transportation system and the communities that it serves, NJ TRANSIT (NJT) initiated a Transit Arts Program in June 1994. The Transit Arts Program identifies opportunities for public art to be integrated into the system and establishes a process for artist selection and art fabrication. In 2019, NJ TRANSIT partnered with the NJ State Council on the Arts to create a temporary art program, showcasing local artists’ work, for several months, at various transportation hubs in New Jersey.  A Transit Arts Committee (TAC), stakeholders including members of the community, will review and score Artists’ proposals. 

Project Description:  

The NJ TRANSIT Rahway Rail Station is in Rahway, New Jersey, and serves as an important hub for commuters traveling in the state. It is situated at 1 Billings Place near the Rahway River and provides access to several major NJ TRANSIT rail lines, offering convenient service to New York City and other parts of New Jersey. The Rahway Station is served by both the Northeast Corridor Line and the North Jersey Coast Line.     

The project seeks to select two (2) artists or artist teams who are current residents of New Jersey and live in one of the State’s central Counties (Union, Somerset, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, or Hunterdon Counties). Preferential consideration will be given to artists with a strong connection to the Rahway community. Qualified artists are encouraged to submit their ideas for designing vinyl coverings for the pedestrian tunnel at the Rahway Rail Station. The project will be unveiled in September 2025 and be on view throughout the Fall.   

Click "View Site Details" at the top of this call for images of the site.  

Suggested themes: 

Artists are invited to explore the past, present, and future of Rahway’s industrial roots and the innovative spirit that continues to shape its identity. Celebrate the ingenuity, creativity, and industrial legacy that define Rahway. 

Important Considerations: 

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. 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. 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.   

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.   

Budget: 

Stipends will be issued to each of the selected Artists (per location). Two Artists will be selected for the photography exhibit, and each artist will be provided $2500 for the approved digital submissions. NJ TRANSIT will provide the fabrication and installation for the artworks identified for this project.   

Timeline:  

Call(s) for Artists Open: April 3, 2025  

Call for Artists Close: May 8, 2025  

Jury Review Opens: No later than May 13, 2025  

Jury Review Closes: No later than June 6, 2025  

Selection Committee Meeting: Week of June 9, 2025  

Artist Notifications: No later than July 1, 2025  

Project Planning/Prep Period: July – August 2025  

Project Installation: Mid-September 2025  

Opens: TBD – Late September 2025   

(All dates are subject to change). 

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.   

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 primary 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 and install the artwork.   

Artists will need to submit:  

• 4 – 8 images of previously completed artwork of a similar nature (1 optional video submission)
• A brief artist statement and, if applicable, include a description of the artist's connection to the community of Rahway.
• A current artist bio (250 words or less).
• A brief narrative proposal (no more than 2 pages) describing the artist’s design idea for this project. Make sure to include the specifications of the design. If applicable, you could reference specific work samples you are providing to further describe your proposal. (For example: "Please see my provided work samples titled 'Portrait #10 - #14' for an example of my idea to...").

Evaluation Criteria:

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. 

• The committee will score each artist and their proposal based on the following criteria.
• Artistic quality of proposed artwork.
• Appropriateness of proposed artwork to the site and objective of the project.
• Permanence, durability, maintainability, and use of high-quality materials.
• Absence of hazards to the public.
• Innovation in use of materials and techniques (fiber art)
• Willingness of the artist to carry out the project in coordination with the project team or any ongoing/pending construction by NJ TRANSIT.
• Ability of the artist to create and install the artwork within the established timeframe.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and current residents of New Jersey living in one of the State’s central counties (Union, Somerset, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, or Hunterdon Counties). If selected for the commission, artists will be expected to provide evidence of this eligibility. We encourage artists with a strong connection to the Rahway community to apply.   

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 the Summer 2025 and installed in Fall 2025, 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.    

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. 

Contract:  

Upon selection and final design approval, the artist must complete a contract with NJ TRANSIT for stipend payment. NJ TRANSIT will handle the fabrication and installation of the artists' designs. Final digital art should be submitted as ai. file format. Each selected photographer will submit #8 photos. 

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.    

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:   

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

PublicArtsInclusion@sos.nj.gov