Join us for the Trenton Creatives Networking Brunch, an exciting gathering designed to connect and empower Trenton’s vibrant artistic and business communities. This event offers the perfect platform to introduce the "Trenton Arts in Focus Plan" for the Creek to Canal Arts District—a transformative vision set to enhance opportunities for local artists and businesses.
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During the brunch, we’ll delve into the plan’s benefits, highlighting how it aims to foster economic growth, creative collaborations, and a thriving arts ecosystem in the city. Attendees will also gain valuable insights into upcoming opportunities, such as pop-up shops and grant rounds to support their creative and business endeavors.
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To further strengthen the community, we’ll explore innovative ways for local artists and businesses to connect, collaborate, and uplift one another.
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All of this will unfold in a welcoming and inspiring atmosphere, with a delicious brunch catered by Skil Lit to complement the discussions and networking. Don’t miss this chance to shape the future of Trenton’s arts scene while forging meaningful connections!
Request for Proposals
OTN Mural Project – Perry & Montgomery Street
December 2024
​Overview
Isles, Inc. is requesting proposals for the design and completion of a mural project located in the Old Trenton Neighborhood (OTN) at Perry & Montgomery Street, Trenton, NJ. The mural will be created on a free-standing structure on a vacant lot on properties owned by Isles.
Founded in 1981, Isles, Inc. is a NJ nonprofit, community development and environmental organization based in Trenton, New Jersey. With a mission to foster self-reliant families and healthy, sustainable communities, we design and develop effective services that support this mission and share what we learn with others who can make a difference.
Goals
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Improve vacant space for community access in the Old Trenton Neighborhood
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Create public art on the parklet to be installed on a mural panel approximately 4’x24’.
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Select a dedicated and qualified artist or team of artists that can demonstrate artistic excellence while completing this project on time and within budget.
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Projects with a community engagement component are encouraged and will be prioritized, including community visioning or active participation in the completion of the concept and/or artwork. Isles can assist in recruiting community participation.
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Include design concepts that both uplift the community & represent the artist.
Artist Eligibility
Artists or teams of artists interested in creating artwork, must have the work completed and installed by May 2, 2025. Please submit a proposal in accordance with the guidelines provided below.
The Project
Located in Trenton’s North Ward, the Old Trenton Neighborhood (OTN) is bounded by Perry Street to the north, Route 1 to the east, North Broad Street to the west and East State St. to the south. The project is located at the corner of Perry & Montgomery Street. The mural will be created on pressure treated plywood panels (4’x8’each and totaling approximately 4’x24’ in total size) installed by Isles on pressure treated 2x4s supported by 4x4s. Selected artists or teams of artists will collaborate with a community organization or entity selected by Isles. to complete the project. The artist’s quote should include priming plywood, creating the mural on the panels as well as all paint and other supplies required for the mural they design. Prospective artists are encouraged to visit the site.
Budget: The estimated total project budget is $2,500-$3,000.
Project budget should include the artist(s) fee, materials, supplies, travel-related expenses, and other associated costs.
Submissions
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The deadline for submissions is February 7, 2025, by 5:00 pm, Eastern Standard Time.
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Project completion deadline is May 2, 2025
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Submissions must be in PDF format and file size no larger than 10MB.
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E-Mail any questions to Tyquan Benton at tbenton@isles.org
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E-MAIL SUBMISSIONS TO: tbenton@isles.org
Submittal Requirements:
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Artist contact information.
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Resume or portfolio including relevant Artist accomplishments.
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Professional references.
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At least two concept designs (sketches, photographs, etc.) and accompanying narrative.
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Plan for including community organization or entity in installation of mural.
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Timeline for completion of project: deadline to complete May 2, 2025
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Project budget
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List of project materials conforming to intended use.
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All components must be submitted in digital format.
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Selected Artist(s) must sign a contract and provide a W9 for tax purposes.
Timeline
February 7, 2025 - Applications due
February 21, 2025- Award notification
May 2, 2025- Final installation work must be completed.
THE HEART OF TRENTON
The Creek to Canal Creative District is the result of Trenton Arts in Focus, a year-long, citywide planning process that engaged more than 750 people from Trenton and beyond in a discussion about how arts and culture can be drivers for equitable, sustainable Downtown revitalization.
Trenton Arts in Focus was inspired by the wide range of arts organizations and artists that call Trenton home, and by the local talent, community support, political will, and resources that are aligning to foster positive change in the Creek to Canal area.
The Trenton Arts in Focus plan, released in October 2016, offers both place-based and citywide recommendations to develop the Creek to Canal Creative District, and to highlight and support Trenton’s rich arts and culture scene.
Now it’s time to bring the plan to life and make the Creek to Canal Creative District a reality! Important next steps include presenting the plan to City Council and getting it officially adopted as part of Trenton's new master plan, Trenton250. Stay tuned!
Trenton Arts in Focus was made possible by generous funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and New Jersey Manufacturers via the NJ Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit program. Isles, Inc. and Passage Theatre facilitated the planning process, which was enriched by the guidance of a nearly 50-member Steering Committee representing the arts, government, education, social services, and business. Interface Studio provided planning and urban design consulting services.