ArtBridge Portfolio Opportunity 2025-2026

Alliance for Downtown New York, Inc. (“Downtown Alliance”) wants to help property owners improve the temporary protective structures that are around their buildings (or might be soon). This program is an effort to both support property owners avoid construction shed blight and brighten the streetscape of Lower Manhattan. 

In 2023, the New York City Council adopted Local Law 163, requiring property owners to either display artwork on their temporary protective structures or proactively opt out of the program. The Downtown Alliance has partnered with local arts organization ArtBridge to create a unique portfolio of Lower Manhattan-specific artwork that can be easily and affordably installed on sidewalk sheds and construction fences. The portfolio was designed to make selecting and installing artwork easy and straightforward to entice the participation of local property owners. This is an opportunity for property owners to not only enliven their construction sites and make them more interesting to passersby, but also to improve the overall streetscape of the neighborhood.

The Downtown Alliance is the nonprofit organization that manages the Lower Manhattan Business Improvement District (the “District), serving an area roughly from City Hall to the Battery, from the East River to West Street. The mission of the Downtown Alliance is to provide service, advocacy, research and information to advance Lower Manhattan as a global model of a 21st century Central Business District for businesses, residents and visitors. 

I) Program Objectives

The objective of the ArtBridge Portfolio Opportunity 2025-2026 is to incentivize the use of the portfolio and beautify the Lower Manhattan neighborhood by awarding up to $10,000 or 25% of the total cost of a project – whichever is less – (the “Incentive”) to five properties within the District to add art onto their temporary protective structures. The property owners will work with ArtBridge to select and install one of the artworks from the portfolio onto their construction fences, sidewalk sheds, or netting. As the first properties in Lower Manhattan to use the portfolio, the selected applicants will help demonstrate the value of adding art to construction sites and encourage participation from neighbors. The portfolio’s artworks can be accessed here. 

II) Eligibility

To qualify, you must: 

• Have a new construction, renovation or Local Law 11 project in the District that requires temporary protective structures. This includes projects where the temporary protective structures are already up;
• Have temporary protective structures, including construction fences, sidewalk sheds, supported scaffolds or netting, which are scheduled to remain up for at least three months;
• Be located within the boundary lines of the District; 
• Operate as a commercial building or hotel – therefore, residential and nonprofit properties are not eligible. However, if your property is converting to residential use, your property is still eligible until the property opens its doors to residents;
• Not be a city-owned property or property receiving capital funding since they are required by law to add art onto their temporary protective structures;
• Select one of the six artworks from the portfolio. Customized artwork is not eligible for the Incentive but if you are interested in pursuing that, ArtBridge can work with you to manage the production of artwork that matches your property’s site-specific needs and engagement goals. For a customized exhibition, please contact ArtBridge’s Executive Director, Stephen Pierson at [email protected].

The Incentive from the Downtown Alliance is paid directly to ArtBridge as part of the last installment payable under your contract with ArtBridge. In the event a property owner does not follow through with the project, the Incentive will not be awarded.

III) Application Submissions

To apply, please submit the application below. The application period will be open from June 1, 2025 to May 31, 2026 or until five projects have been completed. Applications must be completed in full to be considered for the Incentive. Deadline for online submission of applications is May 31, 2026 at 11:59pm. Mail-in paper applications may be requested from the Downtown Alliance Placemaking Manager; each mail-in paper application must be postmarked by May 31, 2026 to be considered for the Incentive. The Downtown Alliance reserves the right to ask for any additional documentation. Applications will be reviewed by Downtown Alliance staff and applicants may be contacted directly by the Downtown Alliance with any questions.

IV) Selection 

Five applicants will be awarded the Incentive on a rolling basis. If your application is selected by the Downtown Alliance, we will contact you via your email address.

V) Acceptance of the Incentive 

A selected applicant’s written acceptance to participate in this program must be received by the Placemaking Manager via email within two (2) weeks of notification by the Downtown Alliance. If the Downtown Alliance does not receive written confirmation, the Downtown Alliance reserves the right to choose another applicant. Each selected property will sign a contract directly with ArtBridge to choose a design and finalize installation details. Once that contract is signed, the install timeline is about six weeks. The property owner will pay its share of the costs to ArtBridge. The Downtown Alliance will pay the final installment cost, or a portion thereof, up to $10,000 or 25% of the total cost of the project, whichever is less, directly to ArtBridge. This payment is not a reimbursement to the property owner. Further, the property owner will be responsible for the balance, if any, of the final installment if it is in excess of the one payment made by the Downtown Alliance to ArtBridge. 

When applying for a temporary protective structure permit in DOB NOW, a question asks if the applicant would like to opt out or remain in the program, requiring them to install artwork. The selected properties must be opted into the program to install artwork onto their temporary protective structures. If a property’s sidewalk shed, construction fence, or supported scaffolds are already up, the property must retroactively opt in. ArtBridge can assist the property with receiving the proper permits related to the artwork installation.

ArtBridge will handle all aspects of design, obtaining permits, production, installation, maintenance and providing insurance coverage. ArtBridge will coordinate all aspects of design and installation with the property owner, providing the owner with full input. This process will involve minimal work for the owner – merely input.

The selected properties must choose one of the six artworks from the portfolio. Please note that to comply with the city’s guidelines for public art, the artwork itself cannot contain words; therefore, no corporate logos or recognizable brands may be included. However, information panels are allowed, which can include corporate logos, brief information about the building, and/or a QR code link to more information about the artwork and building.

The Downtown Alliance shall not be liable, answerable, or accountable for fees spent if the property does not follow through with the installation. The Downtown Alliance is not responsible in any way for maintenance of the installed artwork or any damage to it.

VI) Agreement to Feature in Marketing and Promotional Materials

The selected applicants agree that their properties with the installed art may be featured in marketing and promotional materials, including but not limited to: a feature on the Downtown Alliance website, digital and print newsletter feature, the annual and/or quarterly report, and all social media outlets.

For questions or more information, please contact:
Victoria Pennacchio
Placemaking Manager
Email: [email protected]
Office: 212-835-2753