BPDA Announces Call For Artists for temporary Mattapan Art Public Project

Mar 01, 2021

$15,000 available for public art project at Post 16 on Blue Hill Avenue

The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) today announced a call for artists for a temporary public art project to be installed at Post 16 at 1531 Blue Hill Avenue in Mattapan as part of the PLAN: Mattapan Public Art Project. Post 16 is the first chartered African-American Massachusetts Post, created by the members of the famed 372nd infantry that served in France with the Red Hand Brigade. Founded in 1919, the mural will celebrate Post 16’s 100th year anniversary.

An increase in public art has been identified throughout the PLAN: Mattapan community process, kicked-off by the BPDA in 2018. All artists are eligible, but artists with a connection to the Mattapan neighborhood will be given preference. The artist selected for the project will receive $15,000 for the completion of their project.

The PLAN: Mattapan team will hold two virtual discussions about the public art project on March 15, one from 12 PM - 1 PM, and one from 6 PM - 7 PM. Interested applicants can also submit questions to the PLAN: Mattapan team through March 19. The deadline for applications is April 7, 2021 with the goal of a selection in May.

The BPDA is collaborating closely with the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture on the PLAN: Mattapan Public Art Project. As part of the mural project last year, the BPDA also sponsored the creation and installation of a mural by youth artists at the Mattapan Teen Center, which is expected to be installed this Spring. The BPDA expects to issue additional calls for artists for public art installations in Mattapan in the coming months.