Are you currently accepting applications or proposals for public art projects in Times Square?

Thank you for your interest in Times Square Arts, the Public Art program of the Time Square Alliance. For general submission information, please visit our SlideRoom page. If you are interested in submitting a project proposal specifcally for Midnight Moment, please review the application process here. To stay up to date on all our current and upcoming events, please sign up for our monthly Arts e-Newsletter.

What is the mission of Times Square Arts?

Times Square Arts, the public art program of the Times Square Alliance, collaborates with temporary artists to experiment and engage with one of the world's most iconic urban places. For more information on mission, vision and core values, please see About Times Square Arts.

Who is the Times Square Alliance?

The Times Square Alliance, founded in 1992, works to improve and promote Times Square - cultivating the creativity, energy and edge that have made the area an icon of entertainment, culture and urban life for over a century.
In addition to providing core neighborhood services with its Public Safety Officers and Sanitation Associates, the Alliance promotes local businesses; encourages economic development and public improvements; co-coordinates numerous major events in Times Square (including the annual New Year's Eve and Solstice in Times Square celebrations); and advocates on behalf of its constituents with respect to a host of public policy, planning and quality-of-life issues. The Alliance's district covers most of the territory from 40th Street to 53rd Street between 6th and 8th Avenues, as well as Restaurant Row (46th Street between 8th and 9th Avenue). For more information about the Alliance, click here.

What kinds of projects does Times Square Arts support?

Times Square Arts supports projects in all forms of art, performance, design and emerging new media. The projects must satisfy the program’s mission and criteria, plus the requirements of any relevant property owner.  

What kinds of projects, artists and organizations has Times Square Arts assisted in the past?

For more information on past projects, please visit our project archives for At the Crossroads, Midnight Moment and Hidden Assets. For a list of past artists and cultural organizations Times Square Arts has presented, please see Artists, Partners and Supporters.

What services does the Alliance offer to artists, producers, curators or art organizations?

​We do not give grants to organizations or individuals, but we provide other forms of support. Times Square Arts focuses on providing access to one of the world’s most prominent public spaces. We offer marketing and public relations outreach, as well as Public Safety & Sanitation support, to all installations, performances and events.

Can the Alliance assist with fundraising?

​As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, the Alliance can collaborate on grant proposals or serve as an umbrella for donations related to specific projects.

Are the digital screens and billboards screens available for art projects?

The Alliance does not own nor operate any screens in Times Square. Times Square Arts has partnered with the Times Square Advertising Coalition (TSAC) to present Midnight Moment for three minutes every night, from 11:57p.m. to Midnight.

Is amplified sound permitted in Times Square?

In general, amplified sound is not permitted in Times Square, with the exception of one section of Broadway Plaza between 45th‐46th Streets. New York City enforces the rule in which amplified sound is not permitted within 500 feet of school or church; In terms of non‐amplified sound, drums and loud instruments are also not permitted. As there are many restaurants, offices, shops and hotels, noise laws are strictly enforced in our district. For more information about noise laws for the City of New York, please visit the NYC Dept. of Environmental Protection website.

Are there any restrictions on the art projects?

In general, the restrictions are no different than any other public space in the City of New York.

Are there any project attributes to avoid?

Installations or objects over 10 feet in height or a stage greater than 200 SF require a building permit, which can be expensive and time consuming. The use of amplified sound is restricted and requires special set-ups or locations. Nothing can be sold, though voluntary donations may be solicited. The size of sponsor logos or acknowledgments must be modest in scale.

What are the recommended time frames for installations?

Project installations or performance series should be relatively short. In the public plazas, one to three days is typical with an absolute maximum of 30 days. Murals on buildings or installations in private spaces can be longer in duration but more than 60 days is rare. Dates to avoid are the month of June and December.

What is the Selection Process?

The Times Square Alliance has an Art Advisory and Review Committee composed of curators, producers, district stakeholders and staff from the City of New York. Once a proposal from an artist or organization is recommended by the Committee and is determined to be generally feasible, the Alliance staff will enter a discussion to develop a detailed project with a scheduled presentation.

What spaces do you have available for public art projects?

The Times Square Alliance does not own or lease any public spaces. Times Square Arts partners with property owners and managers in the district, as well as the City of New York, to secure both indoor and outdoor venues.

Please note: Securing these locations depends on many factors besides our partnerships with the City of New York and property owners and managers in the district, including the nature and duration of the project, and when the project will be executed.