Works in Public

 Works in Public is the League’s exclusive public sculpture program in partnership with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. The application process occurs in September each year.Works in Public (formerly known as Model to Monument) is a professional development program that offers artists the opportunity to create site-specific, large-scale public sculptures. The program was founded in 2010 in partnership with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. Since its inception, 46 artists have completed this program and had their sculptures installed in year-long public exhibitions at Riverside Park South and Riverside Park at 145th Street. Beginning in 2022, the program has been re-conceived under the new leadership of Haksul Lee and Natsuki Takauji, alumni and former consultants of the program, and instructors at The League.  

 

Applications for the 2023/24 program will be available in late spring 2023.

READ THE WIP FAQ

Two-Year Course: Starting in the fall of 2022, the first year will be dedicated to seminars on the history and contemporary understanding of public sculpture, the study of sculptural concepts, proposal and presentation methods, site analysis, fabrication processes, engineering, and studio visits. This year culminates in the creation of a proposal for a full-scale public artwork. The second year will be dedicated to the fabrication process of selected proposals, culminating in the installation of the artwork in Riverside Park at 145th Street for a one-year public exhibition in the summer of 2024. The course will offer biweekly seminars, welcoming guest lecturers and critics. It will include visits to public art sites and artists’ studios, discussions, recommended readings, assignments, and consultations. There will be additional meetings as needed.
 

One-Year Intensive Course: Starting in the fall of 2022, the same curriculum as the two-year course is compacted into a year-long program, with an emphasis on developing the proposed project and the fabrication, culminating in the installation of the artwork in Riverside Park at 145th Street for a one-year public exhibition in the summer of 2023. The course will offer biweekly seminars and access to some of the seminars of the two-year course. There will be additional meetings as needed.

 

Works in Public will engage a team of artist-participants in every phase of the conception, creation, and installation of site-specific sculptures, providing them with direct work experience in the physical materials and processes used to create original works of public art. WiP students will each receive a monthly stipend and a scholarship for a full-time class for the duration.

Because of the rigorous nature of the program, nominated students must be willing and able, should they be selected, to make a substantial time commitment. Each individual artist works independently to fulfill program requirements.

This is an open application process; selected artists must commit to attending The League full time during their participation in the program. Selection is based on the strength of proposed concept and portfolio; artists working in all media are invited to apply.

 

To view and download the full program prospectus,  click here.

 

Thank You to Our Sponsors

 

We gratefully acknowledge leadership support for Works in Public from The Herbert Feinberg Family Foundation. Works in Public is also made possible with the major support of Dr. Lawrence Spielberger & Dr. Greta Spanierman Family Foundation, Ludmila Schwartzenberg Bidwell, Susan Dryfoos and Kathleen H. Seidel. Additional support is also provided by the Brigitte and William Crovello Foundation Inc.

 

For more information, email [email protected]. To support the program, please email Elizabeth Kingman at [email protected].

 

Explore the Final Sculptures from Previous Years

Riverside038A

M2M 2011

M2M_Merman

M2M 2014

M2M 2019

ESW_6685

M2M 2012

ESW_0215

M2M 2015

M2M 2013

M2M 2016