Times Square Arts, Poster House, Print Magazine, and For Freedoms have launched a citywide public art campaign featuring artist-designed PSAs and messages of love, gratitude, and solidarity with New York City’s health care and essential workers. Radiating out from the screens of Times Square to the digital billboards above Lincoln Tunnel and nearly 1800 LinkNYC kiosks across all five boroughs, the initiative turns our city’s digital displays into platforms of public service and appreciation through the lens of established and emerging graphic designers and visual artists from around the world.
While images of an empty Times Square have become emblematic of how swiftly public life has shifted amidst this global crisis, the streets of New York City are not in fact empty. Tens of thousands of New Yorkers head to work each day to sustain our city, from healthcare professionals, city workers, sanitation staff, grocery store and bodega employees, delivery people, and more.
The initial phase will feature work by over 20 celebrated designers, including Paula Scher, Maira Kalman, and Pablo Declan, all rallied by Poster House and Print Magazine. Phase two will be shaped by the work of contemporary visual artists and curated by Times Square Arts and For Freedoms.
A rotating display of designs will be on view in Times Square on an ongoing basis at the 15, 30, and 45- minute marks throughout each day. The digital spaces for this citywide initiative have been generously donated by 20 Times Square and Maefield Development, American Eagle, Branded Cities, Morgan Stanley, Silvercast Lincoln Tunnel, and LinkNYC.
With this campaign we’re also highlighting two important funds for NYC’s essential workers. The New York Immigration Coalition has launched the #NYunited Fund to support New York’s 4 million immigrants, especially those on the front lines of this pandemic who are struggling to feed and house their families during this challenging time. The NYC COVID-19 Response & Impact Fund led by The New York Community Trust is providing grants and loans to NYC-based nonprofits addressing essential healthcare, food insecurity, as well as arts and culture, and is designed to assist with a variety of needs, including protective equipment, cleaning supplies, technological assistance, and support for financial losses.
Artists include Ola Baldych, Seymour Chwast, Pablo Delcan, Matt Dorfman, Jessica Hische, Joe Hollier, Mirko Ilić, Maira Kalman, Ross MacDonald, Bobby Martin and Jennifer Kinon, Debbie Millman, Emily Oberman, Gemma O’Brien, Edel Rodriguez, Paul Sahre, Paula Scher, Klaas Verplancke, Strick&Williams, Zipeng Zhu
Poster House, Print Magazine, For Freedoms