About the Open Call

NJPAC – an anchor cultural institution for the city of Newark and state of New Jersey – is building a brand new downtown neighborhood on the parking lots surrounding our theaters. When it’s completed, our campus will include new mixed-income residential buildings, retail spaces, parks, education, rehearsal and community space. To activate this redeveloped campus and contribute to Newark’s thriving public art scene, NJPAC is commissioning thirteen new public artworks to be installed in locations across our campus, both indoors and out. We look forward to inviting artists, particularly those with community-engaged practices, to create these pieces and help envision and energize this new neighborhood. We hope these works of art will capture both the spirit and mission of NJPAC and the energy of our home city, Newark. This new public art program, created in partnership with Project for Empty Space, weaves together stories in sound, movement, and community – vital elements of all of NJPAC’s work both on stage and off – using installations and interactive experiences to illuminate the cultural life of our community. Each work traces a story of evolution—stories of past, present and tomorrow carried forward through the lens of music, spoken word, dance, and performance. In Newark, these traditions continue to flourish through grassroots arts programs, youth initiatives, and public gatherings, sustaining a vibrant dialogue between generations. Through this layering of history, rhythm, and movement, Stories in Sound, Movement, and Community illustrates an institution, a city and a community in constant evolution. Opportunities include various murals and installations across the NJPAC campus and surrounding buildings.

What is Offered

Thirteen new public artwork commissions with artist honorariums ranging from $7,500 to $25,000. Holistic project budgets range from $50,000 to $75,000.

Requirements

This public art commission is open to individual artists or artist collectives based in New Jersey or New York. Individual artists must be 18 years or older, and collectives must designate a lead artist or representative. Applicants must also demonstrate the capacity to execute projects on time and within budget. Full-time employees of the commissioning organization, selection panel members, and their immediate families are ineligible. Eligibility may be verified at any stage of the selection process. Community engagement is strongly encouraged but not strictly required.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through Submittable at projectforemptyspace.submittable.com. A virtual artist information session will be held on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, from 3:00 – 4:30 PM to provide an overview of the program and explain the application process.