Cleveland Seeks Artists for 20,000-Square-Foot Asphalt Art Installation in Gateway District

CLEVELAND, OHIO — Local creators have one week left to submit their names for a massive project that will turn 20,000 square feet of downtown pavement into a permanent outdoor gallery. The city of Cleveland is currently accepting qualifications for an asphalt art installation in the Gateway District, the high-traffic area surrounding Progressive Field and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The project is possible because of a grant from the Bloomberg Philanthropies Asphalt Art Initiative, a program that has already helped dozens of cities across the country use paint to improve pedestrian safety and neighborhood vibrancy. According to the city, the installation serves a dual purpose. It is meant to celebrate the city’s character, and it is also a key component of Mayor Justin Bibb’s The Cleveland Era and the Greater Downtown Vision. The initiatives aim to make the city core more walkable and better connected for people who are not traveling by car. Downtown Cleveland Inc. is helping manage the project, ensuring the designs contribute to a safe and multimodal corridor in one of the city’s busiest entertainment hubs. The scale of the project is significant, covering an area roughly the size of five basketball courts. Bloomberg Philanthropies has funded similar work in cities such as Baltimore and Providence, where data often shows colorful street treatments can lead to a reduction in traffic accidents involving pedestrians. For Cleveland’s Gateway District, the art will likely serve as a visual landmark for the thousands of fans and commuters who navigate the neighborhood on game days. Artists who are interested do not need to have a final design ready yet. The current call is for qualifications only, and the deadline to submit is Thursday, Feb. 26. Complete details and the submission portal are hosted on the Downtown Cleveland Inc. website under the jobs and RFPs page. -------------------- At Cleveland 13 News, we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date, and reliable reporting. If you spot an error, omission, or have information that may need updating, please email us at tips@cleveland13news.com. As a community-driven news network, we appreciate the help of our readers in ensuring the integrity of our reporting.