ECA+ SEEKS PROPOSALS FOR TRAFFIC CALMING ART AND DIY URBANISM FOR UNION STREET
Easthampton City Arts+ seeks proposals for an ephemeral traffic calming project for Easthampton’s Union Street during an upcoming Art Walk for up to $500 stipends. Applications may be found at EasthamptonCityArts.com/artwalk.
Traffic calming is an urban design strategy that aims to slow down or reduce car traffic to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. Walkability is a measure of how citizens interact with their city. Traffic calming is founded on the idea that streets are a key element of the public realm, and should be designed to create a sense of place for people to work alongside cars, but not be dominated by them. Typically, traffic calming involves physically altering the engineering /design of the roadway to slow traffic (examples include bump-outs, speed bumps, narrower traffic lanes). However in this instance, ECA+ is looking for artists and organizers to propose ephemeral projects that make Easthampton’s downtown a more pedestrian friendly place. Projects may include but are not limited to the creation of parklets, public performances, or removable art work that help make Union Street a more amenable place to live and socialize, rather than just pass through.
Guidelines for the project proposals include a project description, budget outline, and goal statement. Projects must be scheduled during one or several Art Walks which occur every 2nd Saturday of the month. All projects must abide by the City of Easthampton’s traffic rules and regulations found here http://www.easthampton.org/downloads/TRAFFIC.RULES®S01082015.pdf
Applications will be reviewed by the Art Walk subcommittee based on feasibility, originality and regard to place. Apply prior to June 8th for Art Walks on June 13, July 11, and August 8 at EasthamptonCityArts.com/artwalk.
Easthampton City Arts+, formed in 2005, enriches lives through the integration of arts, culture and community and promotes revitalization and protection of Easthampton’s cultural assets. ECA merged with the Easthampton Cultural Council & Art Walk Easthampton to form ECA+ in 2011. Easthampton City Arts+ is funded in-part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.