Black History Month

BHM

NFTA-Metro salutes Black History, which is our history. We are starting our recognition in February, which is Black History month, and paying tribute to our rich Black History here in in Western New York. Black History Month is an annual, national celebration promoting the many contributions African Americans have made to US history. During this month and beyond, NFTA-Metro will salute the vibrant Black legacies here on the Niagara Frontier, along with our many employees throughout the Authority.

This year, we start celebrating a month early, with a Call for Art.

Metro Bus, Black History Month

Black Excellence Art Project

 Winners will be notified soon.

Project Overview

The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, in collaboration with the WNY Urban Arts Collective, is seeking local artists to submit proposals for art that will be showcased on one or more Metro busses in honor of Black History Month. The theme is “Black Inventors”, and artists are encouraged to be creative and inspiring. Images should be eye-catching, engaging, colorful and reflective of “Black Inventors” and Black History Month. Submitted artwork can be new or existing.

Thousands will see this piece of art gracing the streets of WNY. Within this space, there is an opportunity to contribute positively to the daily experience of the many people who utilize the NFTA-Metro services. By creating a vibrant and inspiring artwork for our bus, we hope to generate feelings of pride. Subsequently, the addition of this piece of work will continue to expand NFTA-Metro’s public art experiences and to spotlight local artists.

Project Specifications

This Call for Artists is open to any artist residing in Western New York to submit their proposal for consideration. The dimensions for the artwork that will be displayed on the side of our bus. Final art is roughly 248”W x 54”H. The final selection will be made by a committee chosen by the NFTA.

Upon selection, the Grand Prize winner will be paid a flat fee for their artistic contribution. Selected artist will be able to provide any revisions for reproduction. Other artist’s work may be used on NFTA’s social media platforms. All copyrights reserved for NFTA.

Submission Requirements

Artists are required to submit the following for consideration (Maximum of two designs):

  1. Name
  2. Address
  3. Phone
  4. Email
  5. Title of image
  6. Description of proposed artwork
  7. Bio, social media link, website
  8. Artwork JPEG format file attachment
  9. Save file as: firstname_lastname_NFTA_BHM_Proposal.jpg(jpeg)
  10. Send to presbaker.wny.uac@gmail.com

Timeline

The deadline for submissions was Monday, January 9, 2023, by midnight.  Submissions will be reviewed by a selection committee from the NFTA and the WNY Urban Arts Collective. Artists will be notified of their submission status mid January. *NFTA reserves the right to refuse any inappropriate content.

Contact

For general inquires or questions regarding this Call for Artists, please contact:
Email subject (NFTA BHM)
John Baker
President WNY Urban Arts Collective

presbaker.wny.uac@gmail.com

Cell: 716-717-6719

The WNY Urban Arts Collective is partnering with the NFTA to assist with the planning and implementation of the Black History Month Art Project.