The NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) is seeking four artists to join the Public Artists in Residence (PAIR) program in 2022. One selected artist will be placed in residence with each of the following City agencies/offices: The Department of Design and Construction, the Department of Homeless Services, the NYC Health + Hospitals, and the Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes.

PAIR is based on the premise that artists are creative problem solvers. To that end, DCLA embeds socially engaged artists in New York City municipal agencies to utilize their creative, collaborative art practice to offer innovative solutions to pressing civic challenges. Since establishing the program in 2015, DCLA has embedded 24 artists in 15 agencies, including Amanda Phingbodhippakia at the Commission on Human Rights, Tania Bruguera at the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, Yazmany Arboleda at the Civic Engagement Commission, among others. All of the PAIR partnerships – some of which are still ongoing – vary greatly in concept, scope, duration, and populations engaged, and their successes are driven by the openness of the partner agencies and the artist-led, collaborative process that the PAIR program framework provides. Artists who are able to be flexible, adaptable, and can maneuver through different situations and populations are encouraged to apply.