2026 Public Art RFP (Brooklyn Forged)

The below is an abridged version of the 2026 Public Art RFP (Brooklyn Forged) and does not contain all sections of the RFP. Please read the full pdf version of the RFP on the Brooklyn Navy Yard website, here. 

PERTINENT DATES
 

1. Optional information sessions will be held on October 14, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. and a pop-up session during the Yard’s Annual Open House on October 18, 2025 at 3pm (both on-site in the lobby of Building 77, located at 141 Flushing Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11205). You must RSVP here no later than 11:59 p.m. on October 13, 2025 for the October 14 session. For the October 18 pop-up, please register for the Annual Open House here and then sign up for the session when you arrive for the event prior to 3pm.  
2. All questions are due no later than 11:59 p.m. on October 19, 2025. All questions must be submitted via this link. 
3. BNYDC shall provide answers to all questions no later than 11:59 p.m. on October 22, 2025: Answers to questions will be posted as an addendum to this RFP on the Events + Exhibitions page of the BNYDC website here. 
4. All submissions are due no later than 11:59 p.m. on November 2, 2025. 
5. BNYDC anticipates reviewing the submissions (BNYDC staff with selection committee) between November 10—November 20, 2025.  
6. BNYDC anticipates notifying Creatives if they have been selected as a finalist by or about Wednesday, November 26, 2025. 
7. BNYDC anticipates conducting interviews of finalists between December 1 – 19, 2025. 
8. BNYDC anticipates awarding a Contract by January 30, 2026.  
9. Between March 1 – November 1, 2026: Participation in the opening for the public art installation on May 16, 2026 during the Yard’s annual Design Day is required. At least one additional program, either during the creation of the artwork or after its installation, will be planned and scheduled with BNYDC staff. Creative will also be required to engage with students through at least one event in a workshop, talk or office-hours setting. 
10. Artwork will be installed the first two weeks of May 2026 (must be installed by Thursday, May 14, 2026, 5:00 p.m.).  
11. Artwork must be deinstalled the second week of November 2026 (no later than Friday, November 13, 2026, 5:00 p.m.)
     

OVERVIEW 

The Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation (“BNYDC”) seeks proposals for a new fence line public art installation (“Proposals”) from Creatives living in the borough of Brooklyn (“Creatives”). BNYDC will make a single selection for artwork that extends across the fence line in front of Building 3. This fence line runs along the north side of Flushing Avenue between Clermont Avenue and Adelphi Street.  

This installation will be one of multiple spanning more than a third of a mile. In total, these installations will flow across key access points along Flushing Avenue from Clermont Avenue to Portland Avenue from mid-May to early November 2026. BNYDC will anchor each of these installations using Brooklyn as a starting point for thematic development, inviting creatives to reflect on how cultural, social, and economic forces shape daily life. The resulting installations will capture the borough’s people and creativity. 

For this RFP geared towards Brooklyn Creatives, the theme of Brooklyn Forged highlights the skills, materials, and entrepreneurial drive that have shaped Brooklyn’s identity through industrial innovation. Creatives should submit proposals that explore how labor, culture, and economics intersect, producing work that reflects both the history of making and the ongoing ingenuity that defines Brooklyn today. Artworks should demonstrate how Brooklyn continues to forge its identity at the intersection of creativity and industry, honoring the workers, makers, and innovators who sustain its cultural and economic vitality.

For this RFP, Creatives can consider historically focused narratives, but proposals must also include a contemporary focus. The Yard has a proud legacy of art and industry, as well as being a campus that has supported innovation and invention for centuries. As such, Creatives should think thoughtfully about including the Yard’s history and legacy in their work but submit proposals that adhere to the theme of Brooklyn Forged as it relates to Brooklyn today.  

ELIGIBILITY 

Open to local Creatives who:
 

1. Work for a business at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. This includes anyone that works at the Yard at any of its 550+ businesses as a full-time or part-time employee (including business owners). This does NOT include Creatives who work at the Yard as consultants or as temporary workers. Employment must be current (no past employees; current is defined as working for a Yard-based business as of January 1, 2026). 

OR

2. Live in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. This does NOT include former residents. Creatives must currently live in a Brooklyn zip code at the time of submission (November 2, 2025). If you are submitting a proposal as a group, all members must live in a Brooklyn zip code. 

  Individual Creatives or artist collectives are invited to submit proposals as long as they fulfill at least one of the eligibility requirements above. Only one proposal per individual or group will be accepted. If you submit one proposal as an individual, you may also submit one proposal as a group or collective.

 Note, all Creatives must have legal status to work in the United States. Creatives cannot be current employees of BNYDC or a city agency to avoid any conflicts of interests.
 

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION

All proposals will be based on these criteria: 

• Be for new work. “New work” is defined as a discreet project or a new work in a series created specifically for this RFP. Previously completed work or proposing a new installation of previously completed work is not new work. If this project is part of a larger series, proposals may include previously completed elements in service of the new work/supporting the new work; however, the proposal must clearly show the creation of new work 
• Demonstrate a clear connection and mature concept tied to the Brooklyn Forged theme 
• Showcase bold and dynamic designs that are highly visible and eye-catching along Flushing Avenue  
• Utilize site-appropriate materials and demonstrate an understanding of place. This includes taking into account the details outlined in the project overview such as the appropriateness of materials, installation methods, and location of work in public spaces.  
• Demonstrate thoughtfulness and clarity in written responses to questions. This includes articulating ideas clearly as well as outlining the use of materials, tools, and techniques. Be sure to convey experience working with proposed materials.  
• Include genuine enthusiasm for public programming with at least one program idea to execute during the opening of the installation during Design Day, and a second either during the making of the artwork or after it’s installation.
• Include high-quality work samples, which include detailed sketches, mock-ups, prototypes, illustrations, etc., that illustrate a clear visual work product. Work samples should also demonstrate a mastery of materials and craftsmanship  
• LIMIT ONE APPLICATION PER CREATIVE (If part of a collective, Creative can submit one application as an individual and one as part of a collective). If Creative submits multiple applications only their first application will be considered.  

SELECTION PROCESS: 

1. Submissions will be reviewed by BNYDC’s Assistant Curator to ensure eligibility requirements are met and submissions are complete. Invalid, ineligible, and incomplete submissions will be archived and not reviewed by the selection committee 

2. Qualifying submissions will be are then reviewed by a selection committee composed of BNYDC staff and outside arts leaders, creatives, and administrators 

• Round One: Committee members are assigned up to 20 submissions to review. Each submission will be sent to at least four committee members (two internal and two external members). Committee members rank submissions on a numbered scale 
• Round Two: Committee meets as a group to review highest ranking submissions from round one. Based on scores, this will be anywhere from 4 – 6 Creatives that will be selected as finalists  

3. Finalists selected: Interviews or studio visits may be held virtually or in-person with any or all Creatives after the receipt of their proposal. This will give the Creative an opportunity to further articulate their idea and discuss their experiences; BNYDC staff anticipates conducting these during the weeks of December 8 and December 15, 2025 with all interviews anticipated for completion by Friday, December 19. 

4. Final work selected. Creatives sent Contract and paperwork for commission
 

MATERIAL PERIMETERS & CONSIDERATIONS 

All materials – from the artwork itself to installation materials – must be appropriate for the outdoors and not cause permanent damage to surrounding architecture and infrastructure. Materials must be able to withstand all types of weather, such as heat from direct sunlight, heavy rain, and high-speed winds. Because the Yard is along the waterfront, the site is especially windy, particularly in the fall and winter (the final months of installation). Artwork must be attached securely to the fence line in front of Building 3. Before installation, the selected Creatives will have to submit a detailed installation plan that includes schematic drawings for review by BNYDC staff architects and designers. Please see the full project timeline in Section J. of the full RFP.  

Creatives should be mindful that throughout the duration of the installation they will be required to check-in on their installation to ensure all materials are maintaining a professional appearance and to ensure materials remain properly affixed. BNYDC reserves the right to do an official walk-thru with Creative to inspect artwork halfway through the installation process in July or August 2026. If installation methods are not in keeping with the details outlined in this proposal, the Yard will require Creatives to return to the site to repair or reinstall their artwork at their own expense.  

As the installation will run along Flushing Avenue, a busy thoroughfare, it may NOT include any aggressive lighting, reflectors, or any other materials that would impede traffic. Installation must also not be dangerous to anyone passing via car, bike, or on foot such as signs that say “stop” or “go,” which will confuse moving traffic and cause accidents. No installation may include the use of lighting or electrical work. 

Creatives should understand that the installation is not intended to be a long-term or permanent installation, and to the contrary, is only intended to exist at the Yard for the duration of the Contract between BNYDC and the selected Creative. The artwork will accordingly need to be designed in such a manner as to be removable from the Yard at the time of deinstallation, i.e., the artwork may not, as a result of any inherent quality of its materials, fabrication, construction, or installation, be incorporated into nor made part of any building, similar structure, surface or fixture of or at the Yard. 

In no event shall the artwork installed as part of this public art project be used to depict any lewd, offensive, obscene, derogatory, discriminatory, or political images or messages. In the event that after installation is complete, the artwork is changed or modified to depict any lewd, offensive, obscene, derogatory, discriminatory or political image or message, BNYDC shall reserve the right to require that Creatives deinstall the artwork immediately. 

SPECIFICATIONS ON INSTALLATION AREA

1. Building 3

The proposed artwork will be primarily located along the fence line in front of Building 3, which extends approximately 485 feet. As outlined in Section Fiv of the RFP, artwork can be draped, hung, woven, or otherwise temporarily affixed to the metal fence and cover up to 66% (2/3) visibility. Materials cannot obstruct passersby and therefore cannot protrude out from the fence by more than 8” (on the exterior of the fence closest to Flushing Avenue as well as the interior of the fence inside the property of the Brooklyn Navy Yard). Materials also cannot go higher than 2’ above the fence line.  

Additionally, there are 43 panels with five gates along the fence in front of Building 3 that are 100” - 110” in length by 82” in height. Each gate is flanked with large blue columns on both sides measuring approximately 2’ L x 2’ W x 104” H. Four out of the five historic gates are rarely opened, while one is an active entry way with a vertical turnstile for workers to enter Building 3.  

Whereas the historic gates may be covered for the installation, the working turnstile gate cannot, in any capacity, be obscured by artwork that may prevent people from moving in and out. Creatives may include the entry point as an active part of their design (use the concept of a gate and people moving in and out as part of their interpretation of the theme) or simply work around the entry point as part of their design. Creatives may incorporate artworks on or across all columns and gates except this active gateway. The other four gates will not be opened, so the design of your artwork does not have to incorporate the functionality of any of the other four gates. Please refer to Exhibit A and Exhibit B for a map of the area, a photo guide of the fence line, and approximate measurements of each section of fence. Creatives should verify all measurements before incorporating them in final design plans. 

2. Electric/water/Internet: 

The fence line in front of Building 3 has no electrical outlets, water, or internet connections. Proposals should not include any need for electrical outlets, water, or internet connections.
 

INSTALLATION & DEINSTALLATION 

The selected Creatives will be responsible for the full installation and deinstallation of their work. They must provide all materials needed for installation and deinstallation from paintbrushes to hooks to levels and pencils. The Yard will provide a place on site to store materials overnight and while work is in progress; however, the Yard cannot provide no labor, tools, or equipment.

1. Installation

The selected Creatives will be given a window of up to ten (10) calendar days to install their work. For projects that require more installation time, please clearly outline that in proposals. Installation must be completed by Thursday, May 14, 2026, 5:00 p.m.  

The Yard will provide indoor space for Creatives that need to do light preparation of their materials before installation. These spaces are not studio spaces but instead meeting and classroom spaces that are not intended for heavy fabrication. Appropriate usage includes such activities as sewing sections of fabric together (BNYDC does not have a sewing machine, but Creatives can bring one), laying out different materials and organizing them for installation, doing minor touch ups to painted surfaces (no spray paint, no paints that require ventilation), etc. These spaces may be available during the ten (10) day installation window, but Creatives may request an additional seven (7) days before the installation window deadline.  

2. Deinstallation 

While the artwork is on view, it will be loaned to BNYDC. At the end of the installation period, Creatives are required to completely remove their artwork. BNYDC will not retain the work in its collection or store the work. Creatives will be given a window of up to five (5) days to deinstall their work. For projects that require more deinstallation time, please clearly outline that in proposals. Deinstallation must be completed by Friday, November 13, 2026, 5:00 p.m. 

MISCELLANEOUS CONDITIONS 

This RFP does not commit BNYDC to award any contract for the installation of public art. BNYDC:   

• May cancel this RFP at any time prior to issuing a contract and may also terminate and re-issue the RFP at any time  
• Reject any and all proposals received  
• Extend the time for submission of proposals after notification to all prospective respondents.  
• Will not be liable for any costs incurred in the preparation of a response to this RFP.  
• May waive, modify, or correct any irregularities in the proposals received, after notification to the respondent(s).  
• May change the amount of the budget or restructure the payment of budget funds if in the best interest of BNYDC.  
• Lastly, Creatives must comply with all applicable rules, laws, and requirements under local, state, and federal laws.  
• This is not an artist residency program. Creatives will not be awarded a studio space to work while creating their installation. Space is only provided in the immediate days leading up to installation for staging. If you are interested in leasing a studio space, visit our website here: https://www.brooklynnavyyard.org/why-lease-at-the-yard/. To inquire about upcoming availability of spaces, you can email leasing@bnydc.org. 

Creatives awarded a contract as a result of this RFP process will be required to sign a Contract substantially in the form attached to the RFP as Exhibit G. If a Creative desires any material or substantive changes(s) to the Contract, please include such proposed change(s) in response to this RFP on the last question in the Submittable form, here. The contents of the selected Proposal, together with this RFP and any formal questions and answers provided during the Proposal process, may be incorporated into any final Contract at BNYDC’s sole discretion.

BNYDC appreciates your interest in this RFP and looks forward to receiving your Proposal.