PITTSBURGH, PA (March 15, 2021) The Friendship Community Group has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for artists to complete a community-focused art installation at a five-way intersection in the Friendship neighborhood. The project, which includes additional street safety improvement designs in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI), is being funded through an Asphalt Art Initiative grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies.
The Asphalt Art Initiative is a new program from Bloomberg Philanthropies created to help cities use art and design to improve street safety, revitalize public spaces and engage their communities. The program not only seeks to create vibrant public spaces but also looks to build city capacity for working with artists and community groups on projects involving transportation infrastructure.
This project will enhance the five-way intersection near the FCG-owned and programmed Baum Grove Parklet, at Harriet, South Fairmont, and Roup Avenues in the Friendship neighborhood of Pittsburgh, through asphalt paintings in the newly designed pedestrian plazas and activated curb extensions. Feedback from the surrounding neighbors, community members, neighborhood organization, and art community will help inform the asphalt art design and help with project installation.
“It is an honor to be selected for the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ inaugural Asphalt Art grant. Working with our partners at DOMI and the City of Pittsburgh, along with the talented teams at Bloomberg and Street Plans, we have a redesigned intersection streetscape that will improve the safety of a confusing intersection while creating a beautiful work of art on the new pedestrian plazas. The Friendship Community is a strong collection of diverse neighbors with a history of community engagement and inclusive processes. We are excited to bring the art to our streets. We look forward to being inspired by the new art that encompasses what Friendship values: Friendship, Unity, Hope, Nature, and Harmony” states Sara DeLucia, President of Friendship Community Group.
The goals of the project are to improve safety and the pedestrian experience through slower traffic speeds, shorter crossing distances and enhanced vibrancy and beautification. The asphalt art will be the foundation of the improvements that will extend on all portions of the large intersection. Data collection before and after the project will measure the impacts of these improvements.
Project engagement began in the Autumn of 2020 with the goal to install the art in Summer 2021. The Friendship Community Group is managing the RFP and it can be found here. Applications are due April 12th and an artist or artist collective will be chosen by April 20th.
For additional information, about the Asphalt Art Initiative, visit Bloomberg Philanthropies.
