Erie County Redevelopment Authority (ECRDA) is excited to announce it is seeking qualifications (RFQ) from artists or artist teams to commission two sculptural pieces for the future EMI business park.

“We are looking for artists (or artist teams) with strong portfolios of past work who can demonstrate experience delivering innovative large-scale sculptural projects”, said Tina Mengine, CEO of ECRDA.

Upon review of the qualifications, ECRDA will choose up to three semi-finalists for each project. The semi-finalists will receive a design fee to create and submit a site-specific design proposal. One artist (or team) will be selected as the finalist for each project.

ECRDA is working with Erie Arts & Culture on the project, relying on their expertise and direction to ensure the project meets its intent. “Erie Arts & Culture is always thrilled to collaborate with a community partner to bring more public art to our community, especially when it integrates our local industry and empowers artists living and working within our region. This is an exciting opportunity to honor Erie's industrial past while also visualizing its commitment to an innovative future, using art as the medium to accomplish that,” said Patrick Fisher, Executive Director of EA&C.

“As part of our commitment to creating a high-tech, attractive business park and honoring the site and corridors’ industrial pasts, we hope to have artists come to us with creative ideas utilizing the plant as inspiration and incorporating industrial materials found on site,” added Mengine.

RFQs will be accepted through Friday, February 18, 2022.

Complete details can be found at ECRDA.net.