The streets of Downtown Brooklyn will be turned into a public stage this summer with 12 new art projects coming to the neighborhood.
Downtown Brooklyn Partnership (DBP) and DUMBO Improvement District (Dumbo) have announced funding grants of up to $50,000 through the Downtown Brooklyn + Dumbo Art Fund, which will go towards projects ranging from murals and sculpture to processional puppetry and mobile drag performances.
In a press release, DBP said the series would enliven and connect the area's public spaces, increase access to free cultural programming and support the creative community at a critical moment in the city's history.
In addition to the 12 public art and performance works, five projects that enhance accessibility to cultural organizations in the area have also been awarded grants of up to $50,000.
Downtown Brooklyn Partnership President Regina Myer said thanks to the State's $10 million Downtown Brooklyn Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI), the organizations were able to support the cultural community at a time when it is most needed.
"Brooklyn is home to the city's most vibrant and exciting artistic communities, and the high quality of proposals we received is a reflection of this," she said.
"This exciting selection of projects will enliven our public spaces and bring these artists to the forefront - giving voice to the issues facing New Yorkers and people around the world."
DRI is a state initiative that aims to connect and transform downtown neighborhoods into vibrant communities. Downtown Brooklyn received a grant of $10 million in 2019 as part of the initiative.
Other projects selected to receive funding in the area include: Commodore Barry Park upgrades; safe crossings at the intersection of Tillary and Navy Streets; a new pedestrian crossing at St. Edwards Street and Flushing Ave; a more accessible entrance to the Brooklyn Navy Yard; a digital tech center at the Ingersoll Community Center; and transformation of Walt Whitman Library into a modern community hub.
Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul said the state was proud to support the effort to revive neighborhoods hit hard by the "nightmarish pandemic" and improve quality of life for the greater Downtown Brooklyn area.
"One of the best ways to revitalize our downtowns is through public art and creating unique cultural spaces," she said.
The 12 public art projects are:
Mobile Drag Performance Unit, presented by FagSigns Locations: Albee Square; St. Edwards Place; Dumbo Archway; Saturdays, June 12, 19, 22, 2021
Murals for the Movement presented by Street Theory Gallery; Locations: Dumbo Walls; July 2021 — June 2022, Dates TBD
Seeing Into Tomorrow, presented by The Poetry Society of America; Designed by Stephen Doyle and Doyle Partners; Various locations; July 2021 — May 2022, Dates TBD
Beacon, by Shervone Neckles, presented by Beam Center and Lewis Latimer House Museum; Location: Albee Square Plaza; July 2021 — May 2022, Dates TBD
Witnessing, presented by Bradley McCallum and Conjunction Arts; Location: Cadman Plaza; July 2021 — December 2021, Dates TBD
Shine Shrine Intention Walk, presentedby Brooklyn Brujeria; Various locations; August — September 2021, Dates TBD
Gilgamesh, presented by St. Ann's Warehouse and Macnas; September 2022
A Skate Play, presented by Eyes Up Here Productions; Location: Golconda Skate Park; Oct 4 — Oct 10
Anchorage, Babel in Reverse, by Joseph Morris and Owen Trueblood; Various locations: Dumbo Archway; November 2021, Date TBD
Mind Forged Manacles/Manacles Forged Mind by Fred Wilson, produced by More Art; Various locations:Columbus Park; March 2022, Date TBD
Sky's the Limit in the County of Kings, by Sherwin Banfield; Location: Clumber Corner; March 2022, Date TBD
Culture Window @ The Jewelbox, presented by The Actors Fund of America and Brooklyn Ballet; Brooklyn Ballet; May 16, 23, 30, 2021
