NYC Calls on Vendors, Artists to be Part of Summers Streets And Earth Day

New York City Department of Transportation is looking for programming partners to help shape this year’s Summer Streets and Car-Free Earth Day.

Businesses, nonprofit and community-based organizations, performers, artists and educational institutions can apply online by June 26 for Summer Streets and March 6 for Car-Free Earth Day.

“From Summer Streets to Car-Free Earth Day, our citywide events are a celebration of this city, its people, and the full potential of our streets as collective public spaces,” said New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn. “I encourage every artist, performer, and community-based organization interested in participating in these iconic events to reach out and help us make this year’s events unforgettable experiences.”

Programming Partner Submissions

Programming partners will need to provide their contact information, the type of activity they will provide, any materials they will need, and their preferred boroughs to participate in. Partners must submit separate application forms for each event. Forms for Car-Free Earth Day should be completed by March 6, while forms for Summer Streets are due by June 26, or until programming capacity is filled, whichever is sooner.

Art Installations Submissions

NYC DOT Art invites eligible professional artists to submit proposals for new or existing art installations to be considered for display at Car-Free Earth Day or Summer Streets events in 2026. The agency is conducting the search through a new Signature Events Art Installations 2026 RFP (pdf). The selected artist(s) for Car Free Earth-Day will create a one-day art installation and may receive up to $10,000. The selected artist(s) for Summer Streets will create art installations to be displayed on at least two dates and may receive up to $20,000 to cover project-related costs. Large-scale installations with potential to be displayed at all Summer Streets events (spanning multiple weekends) may be eligible for a budget of up to $50,000.

Strong applications will contain a clear written concept and rendering that reflect the event’s mission, are conscientious of rain or shine weather conditions, can be installed and deinstalled within an hour, and provide past work samples that demonstrate the artist’s experience to successfully execute the proposal. Proposals that include interactive elements or complimentary programming to the artwork are strongly encouraged. Performances, mural art, and programming alone are not appropriate submissions for this art opportunity.

Artists are invited to submit proposals via the Signature Events Art Interventions Request for Proposals 2026 on Submittable. This RFP will close on Wednesday, Feb. 11th, at 11:59pm EST.