COMPETITION

Fairport-Perinton Art Trail, New York — $30,000 Public Artwork along the Erie Canal, Open to All Artists (RFQ)

Name: Fairport-Perinton Art Trail, New York — $30,000 Public Artwork along the Erie Canal, Open to All Artists (RFQ)
Start: 2026-10-30
End: 2026-10-30
Location: Perinton Park, Erie Canal, Village of Fairport and Town of Perinton, New York, United States

Fairport Public Arts Committee

October 30, 2026 (21 publicSeo.openCall.daysLeft)Perinton Park, Erie Canal, Village of Fairport and Town of Perinton, New York, United States

A request for qualifications for a permanent public artwork on a canal-side art trail, funded by the Canal Days Committee and run by the Fairport Public Arts Committee.

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A budget of up to $30,000 for one site-specific public artwork on the north side of the Erie Canal in Perinton Park, visible to trail users and boaters, as part of the mile-long Fairport-Perinton Art Trail. The sum must cover all costs, including artist fees, a stamped structural drawing from a New York State licensed engineer, materials, fabrication, storage, delivery, rigging and installation; payment follows a schedule agreed at contract with the Town of Perinton. Up to three finalists receive an $800 stipend to write a two-page proposal with sketches and a budget; proposals go on public display and comment from 16 December to 5 January. The suggested (optional) theme is the Canal's Working History, using salvaged canal artifacts of the New York State Canal Corporation. The work is unveiled at Fairport Canal Days.

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Open to the general public: artists, designers, architects and community residents, with no residency requirement. Individuals or artist teams; each team member sends a resume. Members of the Fairport Public Arts Committee, the Village Board or the Merchants Association Board with voting authority must recuse themselves; other connections to these bodies are disclosed and considered. Applicants must be able to manage an installation in a similar budget range (three past projects with budget are required).

Dates & details

Deadline: by 10 pm Eastern. Optional virtual pre-submittal meeting 16 October (RSVP required); questions by 20 October; finalists notified 13 November; proposals due 14 December 2026; artist chosen 15 January 2027; installed by 21 May 2027
Programme dates: Fabrication January to May 2027, installation by 21 May 2027
Results: 13 November 2026 (finalists); 15 January 2027 (artist)
Language: English

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Up to $30,000; $800 for each finalist