"The New Humanity" Artist Commission
Our vision as a church is to echo the prophet Habakkuk and “see the fame and deeds of God renewed and known in our time,” and we believe that artists have a unique and important part to play in seeing this vision come to life.
In Exodus 31, Moses is receiving instruction on building the Tabernacle, and the Lord tells him that He has filled a handful of artists and craftsmen with His Holy Spirit, wisdom, understanding, and knowledge with all kinds of skills. We believe this same Spirit lives within believers today. It is through this indwelling Spirit paired with artistic giftings that God’s people are able to participate in making the invisible visible, and point to the One who is holding all things together.
Church of the City New York is in pursuit of the church becoming a patron of the arts once again. New York City is full of artists of all mediums and Church of the City longs to reflect that deep well of creativity in our city.
Church of the City New York is in pursuit of the church becoming a patron of the arts once again. New York City is full of artists of all mediums and Church of the City longs to reflect that deep well of creativity in our city.
COMMISSION PROMPT AND INFORMATION:
THE NEW HUMANITY
The world aches for unity between all people, but imagines it through power, progress, self-invention, and the freedom to define ourselves on our own terms. Instead, we have ended up with a culture fractured by fear, hostility, and division, wholly unable to create lasting peace for ourselves. Not satisfied to leave His beloved creation in a place of brokenness, God sent His Son Jesus to become our peace. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus made a way for a new humanity to come into being. He tore down the dividing walls of hostility so that all people could be reconciled to God and one another. What the world seeks through reinvention, Christ freely gives through surrender. The new humanity is not built on tribe, status, outrage, or self-creation, but on love, holiness, communion, and a shared life in Christ. “The New Humanity” invites artists to imagine the beauty, tension, and wonder of a people made new not by becoming more fully themselves, but by becoming truly His.
Additional References and Verses:
Ephesians 2:13-15
2 Corinthians 5:17
Romans 12:2
Matthew 7:16-20
2 Corinthians 5:17
Romans 12:2
Matthew 7:16-20
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS:
The presentation and distribution of this work is meant to be a gift, invitation, and impetus for wonder and contemplation for the city of New York. The work should draw from the concepts above, but are not confined by the prompt. Applicants should view the prompt as a jumping off point for their proposal, rather than set boundary lines or a rigid framework for creating. We encourage applications to embrace creativity, innovation, and imagination as they write and submit their proposals for this commission. Think outside the box.
Artistic expression and innovation is encouraged and artists should not feel restricted to accomplishing a work of "Christian Art". In the words of C.S. Lewis, "The world does not need more Christian literature. What it needs is more Christians writing good literature." The work should be born from a place of communion with the Lord, but accessible to the average New Yorker with an avoidance to 'sanitize', aiming to show, rather than tell. As the artist develops the work, there should be a foundational understanding that the work is meant to be evangelistic in nature and thought-provoking in tone and execution.
The commission will operate in a cohort model with consistent touch points, revision and feedback sessions, and a final presentation of work. The cohort will journey through a reading plan together, discipleship, and practical evangelism. Each touch point will also serve as a draft due date where peer review and discussion will take place and a special guest will guide artists through. The work will undergo several iterations before its final version.
Funds will be dispersed in varying amounts and appropriate resources will be provided depending on medium and scope of work. The majority of funding will go toward the production and presentation of the work with a small artist stipend included. The artists selected will create in their proposed medium and be provided with tools and resources to support the creation of their work.
The work of each commissioned artist will be displayed/performed over the span of two weeks. There will also be digital gallery elements accessible online.
All applications will be reviewed by the Church of the City New York Creative Department with final approval from the Senior Leadership Team based on cohesion with the commission statement and fellow commissioned artists, past work experience and samples, leadership references provided, excellence and vision, and project feasibility within the guidelines.
ELIGIBILITY, REQUIREMENTS, and DEADLINES:
- You must live in New York City and actively attend Church of the City New York.
- You must be willing to collaborate and adapt your piece as the cohort works together.
- All art created under these commissions will be subject to being photographed and videoed to be shared via Church of the City New York media.
- Applicants must be legal residents and citizens of the United States to be eligible.
- Applicants must attend all key cohort dates.
Submission Deadline: May 27
Artists Selected: May 30
Mandatory Touchpoints:
Cohort Orientation: June 2
Touchpoint | Draft 1 Due: June 14
Touchpoint | Draft 2 Due: July 5
Touchpoint | Draft 3 Due: July 19
Touchpoint | Draft 4 Due: August 2
Touchpoint | Final Draft Due: August 16
Touchpoint | Delivery of Work: August 30
*Mandatory Installation Days:
September 4 & 5
or
September 8 & 9
*Mandatory Public Opening: September 10 [7-9:30pm]
city kids Day: September 19 [10am-12pm]
Artist Talks/Special Presentations: September 19
Youth Showing: September 23
Public Gallery Hours: March 28-April 7
*Mandatory Toast and Tear Down: September 24 [8-10:30pm]